Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!
Youths
  1. Nowise easy the palm for us (Companions!) be proffer'd,
  2. Lo! now the maidens muse and meditate matter of forethought
  3. Nor meditate they in vain; they muse a humorous something.
  4. Yet naught wonder it is, their sprites be wholly in labour.
  5. We bear divided thought one way and hearing in other:
  6. Vanquish't by right we must be, since Victory loveth the heedful.
  7. Therefore at least d'ye turn your minds the task to consider,
  8. Soon shall begin their say whose countersay shall befit you.
  9. Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!
Damsels
  1. Hesperus! say what flame more cruel in Heaven be fanned?
  2. Thou who the girl perforce canst tear from a mother's embraces,
  3. Tear from a parent's clasp her child despite of her clinging
  4. And upon love-hot youth bestowest her chastest of maidenhoods!
  5. What shall the foeman deal more cruel to city becaptured?
  6. Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!
Youths
  1. Hesperus! say what flame more gladsome in Heavens be shining?
  2. Thou whose light makes sure long-pledged connubial promise
  3. Plighted erewhile by men and erstwhile plighted by parents.
  4. Yet to be ne'er fulfilled before thy fire's ardours have risen!