Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Not if I feigned me that guard of Crete,
  2. Not if with Pegasèan wing I sped,
  3. Or Ladas I or Perseus plumiped,
  4. Or Rhesus borne in swifty car snow-white:
  5. Add the twain foot-bewing'd and fast of flight,
  6. And of the cursive' winds require the blow:
  7. All these (Camérius!) couldst on me bestow.
  8. Tho' were I wearied to each marrow bone
  9. And by many o' languors clean forgone
  10. Yet I to seek thee (friend!) would still assay.
  11. In such proud lodging (friend) wouldst self denay?
  12. Tell us where haply dwell'st thou, speak outright,
  13. Be bold and risk it, trusting truth to light,
  14. Say do these milk-white girls thy Steps detain?
  15. If aye in tight-sealed lips thy tongue remain,
  16. All Amor's fruitage thou shalt cast away:
  17. Verbose is Venus, loving verbal play!
  18. But, an it please thee, padlockt palate bear,
  19. So in your friendship I have partner-share.
  1. O risible matter (Cato!) and jocose,