Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. And up green Ida flits the Choir, with footsteps hurrying rash
  2. Then Atys frantic, panting, raves, a-wandering, lost, insane,
  3. And leads with timbrel hent and treads the shades where shadows rain,
  4. Like heifer spurning load of yoke in yet unbroken pride;
  5. And the swift Gallae follow fain their first and fleet-foot guide.
  6. But when the home of Cybele they make with toil out-worn
  7. O'er much, they lay them down to sleep and gifts of Ceres scorn;
  8. Till heavy slumbers seal their eyelids langourous, drooping lowly,
  9. And raving frenzy flies each brain departing softly, slowly.
  10. But when Dan Sol with radiant eyes that fire his face of gold
  11. Surveyed white aether and solid soil and waters uncontrol'd,
  12. And chased with steeds sonorous-hooved the shades of lingering night,
  13. Then sleep from waking Atys fled fleeting with sudden flight,
  14. By Nymph Pasithae welcomed to palpitating breast.
  15. Thus when his frenzy raging rash was soothed to gentlest rest,
  16. Atys revolved deeds lately done, as thought from breast unfolding,
  17. And what he'd lost and what he was with lucid sprite beholding,
  18. To shallows led by surging soul again the way 'gan take.
  19. There casting glance of weeping eyes where vasty billows brake,
  20. Sad-voiced in pitifullest lay his native land bespake.