Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Hung he in carkanet slung from the Scythian rocktor.
  2. Last did the Father of Gods with his sacred spouse and his offspring,
  3. Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phoebus) in loneness,
  4. Lone wi' thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus:
  5. For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus,
  6. Nor Thetis' nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence.
  7. When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing,
  8. Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht.
  9. But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance
  10. Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.
  11. Robed were their tremulous frames all o'er in muffle of garments
  12. Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges;
  13. Snowy the fillets that bound heads aged by many a year-tide,