About Anactoria....

Some say an army of horsemen or footmen or rowers

Is the most beautiful thing over the coal-black earth,

But I say it is that thing, whatever it is,

That one loves and desires.

All easy it is to make this clear to anyone,

For Helen, far surpassing all mortals in beauty,

Leaving behind the best of all men,

Departed, sailing for Troy —

And not at all did she remember

Parents, nor love of children,

But passion drove her.

Now my Anactoria too is gone, and

I would rather see her supple walk

And the bright sparkle of her face

Than all the chariots of Lydia

And foot-soldiers in arms.

SAPPHO's Fragment 16, Translated by Peter Saint - Andre