Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Wherefore he will, if wise, devour the way,
  2. Though the blonde damsel thousand times essay
  3. Recall his going and with arms a-neck
  4. A-winding would e'er seek his course to check;
  5. A girl who (if the truth be truly told)
  6. Dies of a hopeless passion uncontroul'd;
  7. For since the doings of the Díndymus-dame,
  8. By himself storied, she hath read, a flame
  9. Wasting her inmost marrow-core hath burned.
  10. I pardon thee, than Sapphic Muse more learn'd,
  11. Damsel : for truly sung in sweetest lays
  12. Was by Cecilius Magna Mater's praise.
  1. Volusius' Annals, paper scum-bewrayed!
  2. Fulfil that promise erst my damsel made;
  3. Who vowed to Holy Venus and her son,
  4. Cupid, should I return to her anon
  5. And cease to brandish iamb-lines accurst,
  6. The writ selected erst of bards the worst
  7. She to the limping Godhead would devote
  8. With slowly-burning wood of illest note.