Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Comum's town-walls and Larian Shores adieu;"
- For I determined certain fancies he
- Accept from mutual friend to him and me.
- Wherefore he will, if wise, devour the way,
- Though the blonde damsel thousand times essay
- Recall his going and with arms a-neck
- A-winding would e'er seek his course to check;
- A girl who (if the truth be truly told)
- Dies of a hopeless passion uncontroul'd;
- For since the doings of the Díndymus-dame,
- By himself storied, she hath read, a flame
- Wasting her inmost marrow-core hath burned.
- I pardon thee, than Sapphic Muse more learn'd,
- Damsel : for truly sung in sweetest lays
- Was by Cecilius Magna Mater's praise.
- Volusius' Annals, paper scum-bewrayed!
- Fulfil that promise erst my damsel made;
- Who vowed to Holy Venus and her son,
- Cupid, should I return to her anon
- And cease to brandish iamb-lines accurst,