Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Time 'tis now to arise, now leave we tables rich laden,
  2. Now shall the Virgin come; now chaunt we the Hymenaeus.
  3. Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!
Damsels
  1. View ye the Youths, O Maids unwed? Then rise to withstand them:
  2. Doubtless the night-fraught Star displays his splendour Oetean.
  3. Sooth 'tis so; d'ye sight how Speedily sprang they to warfare?
  4. Nor for a naught up-sprang: they'll Sing what need we to conquer.
  5. 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.