Carmina

Catullus

Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.

  1. But (truly see I) in such case
  2. Diddled you were by wight as base
  3. Sans mercy. Noble friends go claim!
  4. Now god and goddess give you grame
  5. Disgrace of Romulus! Remus' shame!
  1. Who e'er could witness this (who could endure
  2. Except the lewdling, dicer, greedy-gut)
  3. That should Mamurra get what hairy Gaul
  4. And all that farthest Britons held whilòme?
  5. (Thou bardache Romulus!) this wilt see and bear?
  6. Then art a lewdling, dicer, greedy-gut!
  7. He now superb with pride superfluous
  8. Shall go perambulate the bedrooms all
  9. Like white-robed dovelet or Adonis-love.
  10. Romulus thou bardache! this wilt see and bear?
  11. Then art a lewdling, dicer, greedy-gut!
  12. Is't for such like name, sole Emperor thou!
  13. Thou soughtest extreme Occidental Isle?
  14. That this your . . . . Mentula
  15. Millions and Milliards might at will absorb?
  16. What is't but Liberality misplaced?
  17. What trifles wasted he, small heirlooms spent?
  18. First his paternal goods were clean dispersed;
  19. Second went Pontus' spoils and for the third,—
  20. Ebro-land,—weets it well gold-rolling Tage.
  21. Fear him the Gallias? Him the Britons' fear?
  22. Why cherish this ill-wight? what 'vails he do?
  23. Save fat paternal heritage devour?
  24. Lost ye for such a name, o puissant pair
  25. (Father and Son-in-law), our all-in-all?
  1. Alfénus! short of memory, false to comrades dearest-dear,
  2. Now hast no pity (hardened Soul!) for friend and loving fere?
  3. Now to betray me, now to guile. thou (traitor!) ne'er dost pause?
  4. Yet impious feats of fraudful men ne'er force the Gods' applause:
  5. When heed'st thou not deserting me (Sad me!) in sorest scathe,
  6. Ah say whate'er shall humans do? in whom shall man show faith?
  7. For sure thou bad'st me safely yield my spirit (wretch!) to thee,
  8. Lulling my love as though my life were all security.
  9. The same now dost withdraw thyself and every word and deed