Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Reareth Favonius' air, bud-breeding, tepidly breathing,
  2. All in his hands brought he, unseparate in woven garlands,
  3. Whereat laughed the house as soothed by pleasure of perfume.
  4. Presently Péneus appears, deserting verdurous Tempe—
  5. Tempe girt by her belts of greenwood ever impending,
  6. Left for the Mamonides with frequent dances to worship—
  7. Nor is he empty of hand, for bears he tallest of beeches
  8. Deracinate, and bays with straight boles lofty and stately,
  9. Not without nodding plane-tree nor less the flexible sister
  10. Fire-slain Phaëton left, and not without cypresses airy.
  11. These in a line wide-broke set he, the Mansion surrounding,
  12. So by the soft leaves screened, the porch might flourish in verdure.
  13. Follows hard on his track with active spirit Prometheus,
  14. Bearing extenuate sign of penalties suffer'd in by-gones.
  15. Paid erewhiles what time fast-bound as to every member,
  16. Hung he in carkanet slung from the Scythian rocktor.
  17. Last did the Father of Gods with his sacred spouse and his offspring,
  18. Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phoebus) in loneness,
  19. Lone wi' thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus:
  20. For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus,
  21. Nor Thetis' nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence.
  22. When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing,
  23. Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht.
  24. But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance
  25. Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.