Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Hesperus: soon shall come thy spouse with planet auspicious,
  2. Who shall thy mind enbathe with a love that softens the spirit,
  3. And as thyself shall prepare for sinking in languorous slumber,
  4. Under thy neck robust, soft arms dispreading as pillow.
  5. Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, 0 Spindles.
  1. Never a house like this such loves as these hath united,
  2. Never did love conjoin by such-like covenant lovers,
  3. As th'according tie Thetis deigned in concert wi' Peleus.
  4. Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, 0 Spindles.
  1. Born of yon twain shall come Achilles guiltless of fear-sense,
  2. Known by his forceful breast and ne'er by back to the foeman,
  3. Who shall at times full oft in doubtful contest of race-course
  4. Conquer the fleet-foot doe with slot-tracks smoking and burning.
  5. Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, 0 Spindles.
  1. None shall with him compare, howe'er war-doughty a hero,
  2. Whenas the Phrygian rills flow deep with bloodshed of Teucer,
  3. And beleaguering the walls of Troy with longest of warfare
  4. He shall the works lay low, third heir of Pelops the perjured.
  5. Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, 0 Spindles.
  1. His be the derring-do and deeds of valour egregious,