Some say an army of horsemen,
some an army on foot,
some say ships
are the most beautiful thing
on the dark earth,

but I say it is
whatever one loves.

It is completely easy
to make this understood by all,
for she who far surpassed
all mortals in beauty, Helen,

left her most noble husband
and sailed away to Troy,
with no thought at all
for her child or her dear parents,

but led astray
by desire.
For love is subtle,
and bends the mind as it wishes.

Now I remember Anactoria
who is not here,
and I would rather see
her lovely walk
and the bright sparkle of her face

than all the chariots of Lydia
and armed soldiers
standing in battle.

Text: Sappho