Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Hides a retreat, all shines with splendour of gold and of silver.
  2. Ivory blanches the seats, bright gleam the flagons a-table,
  3. All of the mansion joys in royal riches and grandeur.
  4. But for the Diva's use bestrewn is the genial bedstead,
  5. Hidden in midmost stead, and its polisht framework of Indian
  6. Tusk underlies its cloth empurpled by juice of the dye-shell.
  7. This be a figured cloth with forms of manhood primeval
  8. Showing by marvel-art the gifts and graces of heroes.
  9. Here upon Dia's strand wave-resonant, ever-regarding
  10. Theseus borne from sight outside by fleet of the fleetest,
  11. Stands Ariadne with heart full-filled with furies unbated,