Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. With so black spirit, of so dure a mould,
  2. E'en voice of suppliant must thou disregard
  3. In latest circumstance ah, heart o'er hard?
  1. Of Helicon-hill, O Thou that be
  2. Haunter, Urania's progeny,
  3. Who hurriest soft virginity
  4. To man, 0 Hymenaeus Hymen,
  5. 0 Hymen Hymenaeus.
  6. About thy temples bind the bloom,
  7. Of Marjoram flow'ret scented sweet;
  8. Take flamey veil: glad hither come
  9. Come hither borne by snow-hue'd feet
  10. Wearing the saffron'd sock.
  11. And, roused by day of joyful cheer,
  12. Carolling nuptial lays and chaunts
  13. With voice as silver ringing clear,
  14. Beat ground with feet, while brandisht flaunts
  15. Thy hand the piney torch.
  16. For Vinia comes by Manlius woo'd,
  17. As Venus on th' Idalian crest,
  18. Before the Phrygian judge she stood
  19. And now with blessed omens blest,
  20. The maid is here to wed.
  21. A maiden shining bright of blee,
  22. As Myrtle branchlet Asia bred,
  23. Which Hamadryad deity
  24. As toy for joyance aye befed
  25. With humour of the dew.
  26. Then hither come thou, hieing lief,
  27. Awhile to leave th' Aonian cave,
  28. Where 'neath the rocky Thespian cliff
  29. Nymph Aganippe loves to lave
  30. In cooly waves outpoured.
  31. And call the house-bride, homewards bring
  32. Maid yearning for new married fere,
  33. Her mind with fondness manacling,
  34. As the tough ivy here and there
  35. Errant the tree enwinds.
  36. And likewise ye, clean virginal
  37. Maidens, to whom shall haps befall
  38. Like day, in measure join ye all
  39. Singing, 0 Hymenaeus Hymen,
  40. 0 Hymen Hymenaeus.
  41. That with more will-full will a-hearing
  42. The call to office due, he would
  43. Turn footsteps hither, here appearing,
  44. Guide to good Venus, and the good
  45. Lover conjoining strait.
  46. What God than other Godheads more
  47. Must love-sick wights for aid implore?
  48. Whose Godhead foremost shall adore
  49. Mankind? 0 Hymenaeus Hymen,
  50. O Hymen Hymenaeus.
  51. Thee for his own the trembling sire
  52. Invokes, thee Virgins ever sue
  53. Who laps of zone to loose aspire,
  54. And thee the bashful bridegrooms woo
  55. With ears that long to hear.
  56. Thou to the hand of love-fierce swain
  57. Deliverest maiden fair and fain,
  58. From mother's fondling bosom ta'en
  59. Perforce, 0 Hymenaeus Hymen
  60. 0 Hymen Hymenaeus.
  61. Thou lacking, Venus ne'er avails—
  62. While Fame approves for honesty—
  63. Love-joys to lavish: ne'er she fails
  64. Thou willing:—with such Deity
  65. Whoe'er shall dare compare?
  66. Thou wanting, never son and heir
  67. The Hearth can bear, nor parents be
  68. By issue girt, yet can it bear,
  69. Thou willing:—with such Deity,
  70. Whoe'er shall dare compare?
  71. An lack a land thy sacring rite,
  72. The perfect rule we ne'er shall see
  73. Reach Earth's far bourne; yet such we sight,
  74. Thou willing:—with such Deity
  75. Whoe'er shall dare compare?
  76. Your folds ye gateways wide-ope swing!
  77. The maiden comes. Seest not the sheen
  78. Of links their splendent tresses fling?
  79. Let shame retard the modest mien.
  80. ---
  81. ---
  82. Who more she hears us weeps the more,
  83. That needs she must advance.
  84. Cease raining tear-drops! not for thee,