Idiomatic Translation
When the fir trees were cut, and the beams split, and the fleet prepared,
the blue sea accepted the waxed ships.
Upon leaving, you wept. Don’t deny that, at least!
Both of us sad, we cried together.
Your arms were wrapped around my neck
just like how near vines wrap around the elm tree.
Ah, how often your companions laughed when you were complaining of the wind,
the wind was fair.
As often as you kiss goodbye, you return to give another kiss!
How scarcely your tongue could bear to say, “Goodbye!”
A light breeze stirs the sails hanging on the rigid mast,
and the water became white from the churning of oars.
Unhappy, I watched the sails dissapearing
which I could do, and my tears wet the seashore,
and so that you might quickly return I beseech the green sea nymphs -
that you may return soon to my suffering!
With that prayer, why did you return with another?
I was praying on behalf of her, a detestable mistress!
A stone looks over a great cliff-
It was a mountain; it looked over the near seas.
From here I first recognize the sails of your ships,
and I felt a violent urge to run into the tide.
While I waited, purple cloth shone for me at the height of the prow-
which I became fearful of; that was not your manner of decor.
It becomes nearer, and when the boat, pushed by the breeze, touched the land
I saw, with a trembling heart, womanly eyes.
And that was not enough- why did I stay to watch so frantically?
The revulsive mistress was clinging to your chest!
Then I truly tore at my chest and struck my breast
and I carved my tearful eyes with sharp nails,
and I filled the sacred Mount Ida with my wailing,
I carried my tears among the rocks.
So may helen hurt and weep, having been deserted by a husband,
let her bear which she first brought onto me!
Now it is fitting for you to have the kind of woman who would pursue you
through open waters and forsake their real husbands.
the blue sea accepted the waxed ships.
Upon leaving, you wept. Don’t deny that, at least!
Both of us sad, we cried together.
Your arms were wrapped around my neck
just like how near vines wrap around the elm tree.
Ah, how often your companions laughed when you were complaining of the wind,
the wind was fair.
As often as you kiss goodbye, you return to give another kiss!
How scarcely your tongue could bear to say, “Goodbye!”
A light breeze stirs the sails hanging on the rigid mast,
and the water became white from the churning of oars.
Unhappy, I watched the sails dissapearing
which I could do, and my tears wet the seashore,
and so that you might quickly return I beseech the green sea nymphs -
that you may return soon to my suffering!
With that prayer, why did you return with another?
I was praying on behalf of her, a detestable mistress!
A stone looks over a great cliff-
It was a mountain; it looked over the near seas.
From here I first recognize the sails of your ships,
and I felt a violent urge to run into the tide.
While I waited, purple cloth shone for me at the height of the prow-
which I became fearful of; that was not your manner of decor.
It becomes nearer, and when the boat, pushed by the breeze, touched the land
I saw, with a trembling heart, womanly eyes.
And that was not enough- why did I stay to watch so frantically?
The revulsive mistress was clinging to your chest!
Then I truly tore at my chest and struck my breast
and I carved my tearful eyes with sharp nails,
and I filled the sacred Mount Ida with my wailing,
I carried my tears among the rocks.
So may helen hurt and weep, having been deserted by a husband,
let her bear which she first brought onto me!
Now it is fitting for you to have the kind of woman who would pursue you
through open waters and forsake their real husbands.