Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Seaborn, Nereids eyeing the prodigy wonder-smitten.
  2. There too mortal orbs through softened spendours regarded
  3. Ocean-nymphs who exposed bodies denuded of raiment
  4. Bare to the breast upthrust from hoar froth capping the sea-depths.
  5. Then Thetis Peleus fired (men say) a-sudden with love,
  6. Then Thetis nowise spurned to mate and marry with mortal,
  7. Then Thetis' Sire himself her yoke with Peleus sanctioned.
  8. Oh, in those happier days now fondly yearned-for, you heroes
  9. Born; (all hail!) of the gods begotten, and excellent issue
  10. Bred by your mothers, all hail! and placid deal me your favour.
  11. Oft with the sound of me, in strains and spells I'll invoke you;
  12. You too by wedding-torch so happily, highly augmented,
  13. Peleus, Thessaly's ward, in whose favor Jupiter himself,
  14. The Father of the gods, resigned his passions.
  15. You Thetis, fairest of maids Nereian, vouchsafed to marry?
  16. You did Tethys empower to woo and wed with her grandchild;
  17. Nor less Oceanus, with water compassing th' Earth-globe?
  18. But when ended the term, and wisht-for light of the day-tide
  19. Uprose, flocks to the house in concourse mighty, convened,
  20. Thessaly all, with glad assembly the Palace fulfilling: