Carmina

Catullus

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

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

And now with blessed omens blest,

The maid is here to wed.

A maiden shining bright of blee,

As Myrtle branchlet Asia bred,

Which Hamadryad deity

As toy for joyance aye befed

With humour of the dew.

Then hither come thou, hieing lief,

Awhile to leave th' Aonian cave,

Where 'neath the rocky Thespian cliff

Nymph Aganippe loves to lave

In cooly waves outpoured.

And call the house-bride, homewards bring

Maid yearning for new married fere,

Her mind with fondness manacling,

As the tough ivy here and there

Errant the tree enwinds.

And likewise ye, clean virginal

Maidens, to whom shall haps befall

Like day, in measure join ye all

Singing, 0 Hymenaeus Hymen,

0 Hymen Hymenaeus.

That with more will-full will a-hearing

The call to office due, he would