SAPPHO, a famous poetess of antiquity, who for her excellence in her art has been called the Tenth Muse, was born at Mitylene in the isle of Lesbos, about 610 years before Christ. She was contemporary with Stesichorus and Alcaeus; which last was her countryman, and as some think her suitor. A verse of this poet, in which he insinuates to her his passion, is preserved in Aristotle, Rhet. lib. i. cap. 9. together with the fair damsel's answer.