by Sappho (flourished c610-c580 BCE)
Translation by Salvatore Quasimodo (1901 - 1968)

Πλήρης μὲν ἐφαίνετ’ ἀ σελάννα
Language: Aeolic Greek 
Our translations:  FRE GER SAN
Πλήρης μὲν ἐφαίνετ’ ἀ σελάννα
αἰ δ’ ὠς περὶ βῶμον ἐστάθησαν

About the headline (FAQ)

Note: this is often referred to as Sappho Fragment 88 D.


Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

    [ None yet in the database ]

Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

  • Also set in English, a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "The full moon is shining" ; composed by Sheila Silver.
  • Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Raoul Schrott (b. 1964) , appears in Die Erfindung der Poesie, first published 1997 ; composed by Andrea Lorenzo Scartazzini.
  • Also set in Italian (Italiano), a translation by Salvatore Quasimodo (1901 - 1968) ; composed by Luigi Dallapiccola.

Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):


Research team for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani , Holger Christian Teipel-Jahr

This text was added to the website: 2008-01-04
Line count: 2
Word count: 11

Piena splendeva la luna
Language: Italian (Italiano)  after the Aeolic Greek 
Our translations:  ENG
Piena splendeva la luna
Quando presso l'altare si fermarono.

About the headline (FAQ)

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

Text Authorship:

Based on:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

    [ None yet in the database ]


The text above (or a part of it) is used in the following settings:

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (T. P. (Peter) Perrin) , "The moon shone at the full", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2003-10-20
Line count: 2
Word count: 9