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The Annotated Edition

ODE V. by Sappho

Summary, meaning, line-by-line analysis & FAQ.

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This brief ode, attributed to Sappho and presented here in French, is a personal statement: the speaker turns away from anger and aggression, opting instead for a gentle, pleasure-filled existence — while emphasizing that honour and virtue hold equal importance to enjoyment.

Poet
Sappho
Themes
beauty, freedom, identity
The PoemFull text

ODE V.

Sappho

VERTU ET VOLUPTÉ. La colère, dans ses tempêtes, Est loin de gronder dans mon coeur; Si mon esprit fait des conquêtes, C'est par son aimable douceur. J'aime, il est vrai, loin de l'envie, J'aime à couler nonchalamment Une voluptueuse vie, Avec tout son enchantement! Aux plaisirs si je m'abandonne, Rien ne m'est plus cher que l'honneur; Comme le soleil il rayonne, Et la vertu plaît à mon coeur!

Public domain

Sourced from Project Gutenberg

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

This brief ode, attributed to Sappho and presented here in French, is a personal statement: the speaker turns away from anger and aggression, opting instead for a gentle, pleasure-filled existence — while emphasizing that honour and virtue hold equal importance to enjoyment. It’s like an ancient take on "I want to have fun AND be a good person." The poem harmonizes two concepts — *volupté* (sensual pleasure) and *vertu* (virtue) — and proposes that they can coexist rather than oppose each other.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. La colère, dans ses tempêtes, / Est loin de gronder dans mon coeur;

    Editor's note

    The speaker begins by separating herself from feelings of anger. The term *tempêtes* (storms) suggests that anger is violent and chaotic — something external that she has intentionally excluded from her life. She describes her heart as a tranquil space, rather than a battleground.

  2. J'aime, il est vrai, loin de l'envie, / J'aime à couler nonchalamment

    Editor's note

    Here she admits, almost with a shrug, that she loves pleasure — *nonchalamment* (unhurriedly, lazily) is essential. She’s not desperately chasing thrills; instead, she allows a pleasurable life to *flow* through her. The phrase *loin de l'envie* (far from envy) emphasizes that this ease is free of jealousy or resentment.

  3. Aux plaisirs si je m'abandonne, / Rien ne m'est plus cher que l'honneur;

    Editor's note

    The final stanza serves as the poem's turning point. While she gives in to pleasure, her honour remains paramount. The sun simile (*comme le soleil il rayonne*) stands out: virtue doesn't simply sit quietly; it *radiates*, illuminating everything around it. In the end, virtue and pleasure coexist harmoniously, rather than being at odds.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone is calm and confident. There’s no hint of anxiety or apology here. The speaker understands herself well and expresses it clearly—she loves life, cherishes honour, and sees no conflict between the two. The French verse adds a soft, almost lyrical quality that aligns beautifully with the message.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

The storm (tempêtes)
Anger is portrayed like a natural storm—wild, destructive, and impersonal. By claiming it is *far* from her heart, the speaker presents herself as someone who has opted for calm instead of chaos.
The flowing current (couler)
The verb *couler* (to flow) transforms pleasure into a river—unhurried, natural, and unstoppable. It implies that the good life isn’t something to be forcefully grabbed but rather something that should be allowed to flow at its own pace.
The sun (le soleil)
Honour is like the sun: it doesn’t conceal itself; it radiates and lights up everything nearby. Virtue isn’t just a personal, internal practice; it’s something that’s outwardly visible and brings life.

§06Historical context

Historical context

Sappho lived on the Greek island of Lesbos around 630–570 BCE and is one of the earliest lyric poets whose work we still have today. She wrote personally about desire, beauty, and the inner self—topics that were quite rare at a time when most poetry focused on celebrating war heroes. The text here is a French verse adaptation, likely from the 18th or 19th century, when European translators and poets often reinterpreted classical fragments into their own literary styles instead of sticking to literal translations. The title *Vertu et Volupté* (Virtue and Pleasure) presents the poem as a philosophical reflection—echoing debates from ancient Greek ethics about whether a good life is defined by pleasure, virtue, or a mix of both. This version of Sappho clearly favors "both."

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

*Vertu* represents virtue — moral goodness, honor, and integrity. *Volupté* signifies sensual pleasure or delight. The title highlights the poem's core conflict: is it possible to pursue pleasure while also being a good person? The speaker believes the answer is yes.

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ODE TO A NIGHTINGALE. — John KeatsThe Garden — Andrew MarvellElegy Written in a Country Churchyard — Thomas GrayODE ON A GRECIAN URN. — John Keats

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