1977
Doricha
Composed by 
Frank Lewin
Frank Lewin Text by 
Edwin Arlington Robinson
Edwin Arlington Robinson Variations of Greek Themes Song Collection
"Doricha" is the seventh song in Frank Lewin's Variations of Greek Themes.
It describes the fate of the courtesan for whom Sappho's brother, Charaxus, is said to have sacrificed his fortune. The sonnet rises three times from a description of the barren present to images of a luxuriant past; on the third, and highest, ascent its music merges into the last song.
Text
Doricha (Posidippus)
by Edwin Arlington Robinson
So now the very bones of you are gonet
Where they were dust and ashes long ago;t
And there was the last ribbon you tied ont
To bind your hair, and that is dust also;t
And somewhere there is dust that was of old
A soft and scented garment that you wore—t
The same that once till dawn did closely foldt
You in with fair Charaxus, fair no more.t
But Sappho, and the white leaves of her song,t
Will make your name a word for all to learn,
And all to love thereafter, even whilet
It’s but a name; and this will be as longt
As there are distant ships that will returnt
Again to your Naucratis and the Nile.
Audio
“Doricha” (from “Variations of Greek Themes”)
Elaine Valby (mezzo-soprano), Jayn Rosenfled (flute), Brett Deubner (viola), Elzabeth Panzer (harp) & Elizabeth De Felice (piano)5:47