Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance
  2. Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.
  3. Robed were their tremulous frames all o'er in muffle of garments
  4. Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges;
  5. Snowy the fillets that bound heads aged by many a year-tide,
  6. And, as their wont aye was, their hands plied labour unceasing.
  7. Each in her left upheld with soft fleece clothed a distaff,
  8. Then did the right that drew forth thread with upturn of fingers
  9. Gently fashion the yarn which deftly twisted by thumb-ball
  10. Speeded the spindle poised by thread-whorl perfect of polish;