Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Erewhile enjoined and held hereto in memory constant,
  2. Nor for his saddened sire the gladness-signals uphoisting
  3. Heralded safe return within sight of the Erechthean harbour.
  4. For 'twas told of yore, when from walls of the Virginal Deess
  5. Aegeus speeding his son, to the care of breezes committed,
  6. Thus with a last embrace to the youth spoke words of commandment:

  7. "Son! far nearer my heart (you alone) than life of the longest,
  8. Son, I perforce dismiss to doubtful, dangerous chances,
  9. Lately restored to me when eld draws nearest his ending,
  10. Since such fortune in me, and in you such boiling of valour
  11. Tear you away from me so loath, whose eyes in their languor
  12. Never are sated with sight of my son, all-dearest of figures.
  13. Nor will I send you forth with joy that gladdens my bosom,