Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. As much as lover's life can slay with yearning,
  2. Alone in Lybia, or Hind's clime a-burning,
  3. Be mine to encounter Lion grisly-eyed!"
  4. While he was speaking Love on leftward side
  5. (As wont) approving sneeze from dextral sped.
  6. But Acmé backwards gently bending head,
  7. And the love-drunken eyes of her sweet boy
  8. Kissing with yonder rosy mouth, "My joy,"
  9. She murmured, "my life-love Septumillus mine!
  10. Unto one master's hest let's aye incline,
  11. As burns with fuller and with fiercer fire
  12. In my soft marrow set, this love-desire!"
  13. While she was speaking, Love from leftward side
  14. (As wont) with sneeze approving rightwards hied.
  15. Now with boon omens wafted on their way,
  16. In mutual fondness, love and loved are they.
  17. Love-sick Septumius holds one Acmé's love,
  18. Of Syrias or either Britains high above,
  19. Acmé to one Septumius full of faith
  20. Her love and love-liesse surrendereth.
  21. Who e'er saw mortals happier than these two?