Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Deracinate, and bays with straight boles lofty and stately,
  2. Not without nodding plane-tree nor less the flexible sister
  3. Fire-slain Phaëton left, and not without cypresses airy.
  4. These in a line wide-broke set he, the Mansion surrounding,
  5. So by the soft leaves screened, the porch might flourish in verdure.
  6. Follows hard on his track with active spirit Prometheus,
  7. Bearing extenuate sign of penalties suffer'd in by-gones.
  8. Paid erewhiles what time fast-bound as to every member,
  9. Hung he in carkanet slung from the Scythian rocktor.
  10. Last did the Father of Gods with his sacred spouse and his offspring,
  11. Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phoebus) in loneness,
  12. Lone wi' thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus:
  13. For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus,
  14. Nor Thetis' nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence.
  15. When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing,
  16. Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht.
  17. But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance
  18. Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.
  19. Robed were their tremulous frames all o'er in muffle of garments
  20. Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges;