Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. "Son! far nearer my heart (you alone) than life of the longest,
  2. Son, I perforce dismiss to doubtful, dangerous chances,
  3. Lately restored to me when eld draws nearest his ending,
  4. Since such fortune in me, and in you such boiling of valour
  5. Tear you away from me so loath, whose eyes in their languor
  6. Never are sated with sight of my son, all-dearest of figures.
  7. Nor will I send you forth with joy that gladdens my bosom,
  8. Nor will I suffer you show boon signs of favouring Fortune,
  9. But from my soul I'll first express an issue of sorrow,
  10. Soiling my hoary hairs with dust and ashes commingled;
  11. Then will I hang stained sails fast-made to the wavering yard-arms,