Carmina

Catullus

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

  • 0 Hymen Hymenaeus!"
  • Lest longer mute tongue stays that joys
  • In festal jest, from Fescennine,
  • Nor yet denay their nuts to boys,
  • He-Concubine! who learns in fine
  • His lordling's love is fled.
  • Throw nuts to boys thou idle all
  • He-Concubine! wast fain full long
  • With nuts to play: now pleased as thrall
  • Be thou to swell Talasios' throng:
  • He-Concubine throw nuts.
  • Wont thou at peasant-girls to jape
  • He-whore! Thy Lord's delight the while:
  • Now shall hair-curling chattel scrape
  • Thy cheeks: poor wretch, ah! poor and vile:—
  • He-Concubine, throw nuts.
  • 'Tis said from smooth-faced ingle train
  • (Anointed bridegroom!) hardly fain
  • Hast e'er refrained; now do refrain!
  • O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
  • O Hymen Hymenaeus!
  • We know that naught save licit rites
  • Be known to thee, but wedded wights
  • No more deem lawful such delights.
  • O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
  • O Hymen Hymenaeus.
  • Thou too, 0 Bride, whatever dare
  • Thy groom, of coy rebuff beware,
  • Lest he to find elsewhither fare.
  • O Hymen Hymenaeus io,