Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. "Restore (chaste, honest Maid!) our noting books!"
  1. Hail, girl who neither nose of minim size
  2. Owns, nor a pretty foot, nor jetty eyes,
  3. Nor thin long fingers, nor mouth dry of slaver
  4. Nor yet too graceful tongue of pleasant flavour,
  5. Leman to Formian that rake-a-hell.
  6. What, can the Province boast of thee as belle?
  7. Thee with my Lesbia durst it make compare?
  8. O Age insipid, of all humour bare!
  1. O Farm our own, Sabine or Tiburtine,
  2. (For style thee "Tiburs" Who have not at heart
  3. To hurt Catullus, whereas all that have
  4. Wage any Wager thou be Sabine classed)
  5. But whether Sabine or of Tiburs truer
  6. To thy suburban Cottage fared I fain
  7. And fro' my bronchials drave that cursèd cough
  8. Which not unmerited on me my maw,
  9. A-seeking sumptuous banquetings, bestowed.
  10. For I requesting to be Sestius' guest
  11. Read against claimant Antius a speech,