Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. If never willed your breast with me to mate you in marriage,
  2. Hating the savage law decreed by primitive parent,
  3. Still of your competence 'twas within your household to home me,
  4. Where I might serve as slave in gladsome service familiar,
  5. Laving your snow-white feet in clearest chrystalline waters
  6. Or with its purpling gear your couch in company strewing.
  7. Yet for what cause should I complain in vain to the winds that unknow me,
  8. (I so beside me with grief!) which ne'er of senses endued
  9. Hear not the words sent forth nor aught avail they to answer?
  10. Now be his course well-nigh engaged in midway of ocean,
  11. Nor any mortal shape appears in barrens of sea-wrack.
  12. Thus at the latest hour with insults over-sufficient
  13. E'en to my plaints fere Fate begrudges ears that would hear me.
  14. Jupiter! Lord of All-might, Oh would in days that are bygone
  15. Ne'er had Cecropian poops toucht ground at Gnossian foreshore,
  16. Nor to the unconquered Bull that tribute direful conveying
  17. Had the false Seaman bound to Cretan island his hawser,
  18. Nor had yon evil wight, 'neath shape the softest hard purpose
  19. Hiding, enjoyed repose within our mansion beguested!
  20. Whither can wend I now? What hope lends help to the lost one?
  21. Idomenean mounts shall I scale? Ah, parted by whirlpools
  22. Widest, yon truculent main where yields it power of passage?
  23. Aid of my sire can I crave? Whom I willing abandoned,
  24. Treading in tracks of a youth bewrayed with blood of a brother!
  25. Can I console my soul with the helpful love of a helpmate