Ireland's OWN: Myths & Magic Sappho (Greek)* Sappho was a poetess from the Island of Lesbos. She was passionately in love with a youth named Phaon.  Failing to secure Phaon's affection, Sappho threw herself from the promontory of Leucadia into the sea under the superstition that those who should take that "Lover's Leap," would, if not destroyed, be cured of their love. Byron alludes to this story in Childe Harolde, Canto II: Childe Harolde said and passed the barren spot Where sad Penelope o'erlooked the wave, And onward viewd the mount, not yet forgot, The lover's refuge and the Lesbian's grave. Dark Sappho could not verse immortal save That breast imbued with such immortal fire? 'Twas on a Grecian autumn's gentle eve Childe Harolde hailed Leucadia's cape afar. Source: Martin, RP: Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of the Fable, The Age of Chivalry, Legends, HarperCollins 1991. For Information on Sappho's Poetry, See http://www.temple.edu/classics/sappho.html. Page last updated 11 Aug  2008 Website Design and Myths & Magic logo by Míchealín Daugherty Copyright © 2008 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.