Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. >Or Ladas I or Perseus plumiped,
  2. Or Rhesus borne in swifty car snow-white:
  3. Add the twain foot-bewing'd and fast of flight,
  4. And of the cursive' winds require the blow:
  5. All these (Camérius!) couldst on me bestow.
  6. Tho' were I wearied to each marrow bone
  7. And by many o' languors clean forgone
  8. Yet I to seek thee (friend!) would still assay.
  1. Rufa the Bolognese drains Rufule dry,
  2. (Wife to Menenius) she 'mid tombs you'll spy,
  3. The same a-snatching supper from the pyre
  4. Following the bread-loaves rolling forth the fire
  5. Till frapped by half-shaved body-burner's ire.
  1. Bare thee some lioness wild in Lybian wold?
  2. Or Scylla barking from low'st inguinal fold?
  3. With so black spirit, of so dure a mould,
  4. E'en voice of suppliant must thou disregard
  5. In latest circumstance ah, heart o'er hard?
  • Of Helicon-hill, O Thou that be
  • Haunter, Urania's progeny,
  • Who hurriest soft virginity
  • To man, 0 Hymenaeus Hymen,
  • 0 Hymen Hymenaeus.
  • About thy temples bind the bloom,
  • Of Marjoram flow'ret scented sweet;
  • Take flamey veil: glad hither come
  • Come hither borne by snow-hue'd feet
  • Wearing the saffron'd sock.
  • And, roused by day of joyful cheer,
  • Carolling nuptial lays and chaunts
  • With voice as silver ringing clear,
  • Beat ground with feet, while brandisht flaunts
  • Thy hand the piney torch.
  • For Vinia comes by Manlius woo'd,
  • As Venus on th' Idalian crest,
  • Before the Phrygian judge she stood