Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Hear not the words sent forth nor aught avail they to answer?
  2. Now be his course well-nigh engaged in midway of ocean,
  3. Nor any mortal shape appears in barrens of sea-wrack.
  4. Thus at the latest hour with insults over-sufficient
  5. E'en to my plaints fere Fate begrudges ears that would hear me.
  6. Jupiter! Lord of All-might, Oh would in days that are bygone
  7. Ne'er had Cecropian poops toucht ground at Gnossian foreshore,
  8. Nor to the unconquered Bull that tribute direful conveying
  9. Had the false Seaman bound to Cretan island his hawser,
  10. Nor had yon evil wight, 'neath shape the softest hard purpose
  11. Hiding, enjoyed repose within our mansion beguested!
  12. Whither can wend I now? What hope lends help to the lost one?
  13. Idomenean mounts shall I scale? Ah, parted by whirlpools
  14. Widest, yon truculent main where yields it power of passage?
  15. Aid of my sire can I crave? Whom I willing abandoned,
  16. Treading in tracks of a youth bewrayed with blood of a brother!
  17. Can I console my soul with the helpful love of a helpmate
  18. Who flies me with pliant oars, flies overbounding the sea-depths?
  19. Nay, if this Coast I quit, this lone isle lends me no roof-tree,