Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Snowy the fillets that bound heads aged by many a year-tide,
  2. And, as their wont aye was, their hands plied labour unceasing.
  3. Each in her left upheld with soft fleece clothed a distaff,
  4. Then did the right that drew forth thread with upturn of fingers
  5. Gently fashion the yarn which deftly twisted by thumb-ball
  6. Speeded the spindle poised by thread-whorl perfect of polish;
  7. Thus as the work was wrought, the lengths were trimmed wi' the fore-teeth,
  8. While to their thin, dry lips stuck wool-flecks severed by biting,