Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. (Friend!) I accosted each and every quean,
  2. But mostly madams showing mien serene,
  3. For thee I pestered all with many pleas—
  4. "Give me Came n us, wanton baggages!"
  5. Till answered certain one a-baring breasts
  6. "Lo, 'twixt these rosy paps he haply rests!"
  7. But now to find thee were Herculean feat.
  8. Not if I feigned me that guard of Crete,
  9. Not if with Pegasèan wing I sped,
  10. Or Ladas I or Perseus plumiped,
  11. Or Rhesus borne in swifty car snow-white: