Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Settler of Grecian strain on the Canopian strand.
  2. So willed various Gods, lest sole 'mid lights of the Heavens
  3. Should Ariadne's crown taken from temples of her
  4. Glitter in gold, but we not less shine fulgent in splendour,
  5. We the consecrate spoils shed by a blond-hued head,
  6. Even as weeping-wet sought I the fanes of Celestials
  7. Placed me the Goddess a new light amid star-lights of old:
  8. For with Virgo in touch and joining the furious Lion's
  9. Radiance with Callisto, maid of Lyc´on beloved,
  10. Wind I still to the west, conducting tardy Boötes,
  11. Who unwilling and slow must into Ocean merge.
  12. Yet though press me o'night the pacing footprints of Godheads,
  13. Tethys, hoary of hair, ever regains me by day.
  14. (Lend me thy leave to speak such words, Rhamnusian Virgin,
  15. Verities like unto these never in fear will I veil;
  16. Albeit every star asperse me with enemy's censure,
  17. Secrets in soothfast heart hoarded perforce I reveal.)
  18. Nowise gladdens me so this state as absence torments me,
  19. Absence doomëd for aye ta'en fro' my mistress's head,
  20. Where I was wont (though she such cares unknew in her girlhood)
  21. Many a thousand scents, Syrian unguents, to sip.
  22. Now do you pair conjoined by the longed-for light of the torches,
  23. Earlier yield not selves unto unanimous wills
  24. Nor wi' the dresses doft your barèd nipples encounter,
  25. Ere shall yon onyx-vase pour me libations glad,
  26. Onyx yours, ye that seek only rights of virtuous bed-rite.
  27. But who yieldeth herself unto advowtry impure,
  28. Ah! may her loathed gifts in light dust uselessly soak,
  29. For of unworthy sprite never a gift I desire.
  30. Rather, 0 new-mated brides, be concord aye your companion,
  31. Ever let constant love dwell in the dwellings of you.