Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. She too gazing in grief at the kelson vanishing slowly,
  2. Self-wrapt, manifold cares revolved in spirit perturbed.
    1. But from the further side came flitting bright-faced Iacchus
    2. Girded by Satyr-crew and Nysa-reared Sileni
    3. Burning with love unto thee (Ariadne!) and greeting thy presence. ---
    4. Who flocking eager to fray did rave with infuriate spirit,
    5. "Evoe" frenzying loud, with heads at "Evoe" rolling.
    6. Brandisht some of the maids their thyrsi sheathed of spear-point,
    7. Some snatcht limbs and joints of sturlings rended to pieces,
    8. These girt necks and waists with writhing bodies of vipers,
    9. Those with the gear enwombed in crates dark orgies ordained—
    10. Orgies that ears profane must vainly lust for o'er hearing—
    11. Others with palms on high smote hurried strokes on the cymbal,
    12. Or from the polisht brass woke thin-toned tinkling music,
    13. While from the many there boomed and blared hoarse blast of the horn-trump,
    14. And with its horrid skirl loud shrilled the barbarous bag-pipe
    15. Showing such varied forms, that richly-decorated couch-cloth
    16. Folded in strait embrace the bedding drapery-veiled.
    17. This when the Thessalan youths had eyed with eager inspection
    18. Fulfilled, place they began to provide for venerate Godheads,