Against the Samian Ministress or Nun

by Homer — a poem card from Justes Mots

A prayer invoking a goddess to grant a woman the ability to refuse romantic advances and instead seek the company of older men. This fragment appears to be a translated invocation from Homer, reflecting classical attitudes toward love, desire, and aging in ancient Greek culture.

Hear me, O Goddess, that invoke thine ear,
Thou that dost feed and form the youthful year,
And grant that this dame may the loves refuse,
And beds, of young men, and affect to use
Humans whose temples hoary hairs distain,
Whose pow’rs are passing coy, whose wills would fain.…

Themes: love · new-baby · wedding · friendship