Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Sparrow, my sweeting's most delicious toy,
  2. Whom loved she dearer than her very eyes;
  3. For he was honeyed-pet and anywise
  4. Knew her, as even she her mother knew;
  5. Ne'er from her bosom's harbourage he flew
  6. But 'round her hopping here, there, everywhere,
  7. Piped he to none but her his lady fair.
  8. Now must he wander o'er the darkling way
  9. Thither, whence life-return the Fates denay.
  10. But ah! beshrew you, evil Shadows low'ring
  11. In Orcus ever loveliest things devouring:
  12. Who bore so pretty a Sparrow fro' her ta'en.