Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Follows hard on his track with active spirit Prometheus,
  2. Bearing extenuate sign of penalties suffer'd in by-gones.
  3. Paid erewhiles what time fast-bound as to every member,
  4. Hung he in carkanet slung from the Scythian rocktor.
  5. Last did the Father of Gods with his sacred spouse and his offspring,
  6. Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phoebus) in loneness,
  7. Lone wi' thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus:
  8. For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus,
  9. Nor Thetis' nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence.
  10. When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing,
  11. Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht.
  12. But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance
  13. Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.
  14. Robed were their tremulous frames all o'er in muffle of garments
  15. Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges;
  16. Snowy the fillets that bound heads aged by many a year-tide,
  17. And, as their wont aye was, their hands plied labour unceasing.
  18. Each in her left upheld with soft fleece clothed a distaff,
  19. Then did the right that drew forth thread with upturn of fingers
  20. Gently fashion the yarn which deftly twisted by thumb-ball
  21. Speeded the spindle poised by thread-whorl perfect of polish;
  22. Thus as the work was wrought, the lengths were trimmed wi' the fore-teeth,
  23. While to their thin, dry lips stuck wool-flecks severed by biting,
  24. Which at the first outstood from yarn-hanks evenly fine-drawn.
  25. Still at their feet in front soft fleece-flecks white as the snow-flake
  26. Lay in the trusty guard of wickers woven in withies.
  27. Always a-carding the wool, with clear-toned voices resounding
  28. Told they such lots as these in song divinely directed,
  29. Chaunts which none after-time shall 'stablish falsehood-convicted.
  1. O who by virtues great all highmost honours enhancest,