Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Nor ten times cack'st in total year,
- And harder 'tis than pebble or bean
- Which rubbed in hand or crumbled, e'en
- On finger ne'er shall make unclean.
- Such blessings (Furius !) such a prize
- Never belittle nor despise;
- Hundred sesterces seek no more
- With wonted prayer—enow's thy store!
- O of Juventian youths the flowret fair
- Not of these only, but of all that were
- Or shall be, coming in the coming years,
- Better waste Midas' wealth (to me appears)
- On him that owns nor slave nor money-chest
- Than thou shouldst suffer by his love possest.
- "What! is he vile or not fair?" "Yes!" I attest,
- "Yet owns this man so comely neither slaves nor chest
- My words disdain thou or accept at best
- Yet neither slave he owns nor money-chest."
- Thou bardache Thallus! more than Coney's robe
- Soft, or goose-marrow or ear's lowmost lobe,