Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Yet though press me o'night the pacing footprints of Godheads,
  2. Tethys, hoary of hair, ever regains me by day.
  3. (Lend me thy leave to speak such words, Rhamnusian Virgin,
  4. Verities like unto these never in fear will I veil;
  5. Albeit every star asperse me with enemy's censure,
  6. Secrets in soothfast heart hoarded perforce I reveal.)
  7. Nowise gladdens me so this state as absence torments me,
  8. Absence doomëd for aye ta'en fro' my mistress's head,
  9. Where I was wont (though she such cares unknew in her girlhood)
  10. Many a thousand scents, Syrian unguents, to sip.
  11. Now do you pair conjoined by the longed-for light of the torches,
  12. Earlier yield not selves unto unanimous wills
  13. Nor wi' the dresses doft your barèd nipples encounter,
  14. Ere shall yon onyx-vase pour me libations glad,
  15. Onyx yours, ye that seek only rights of virtuous bed-rite.
  16. But who yieldeth herself unto advowtry impure,
  17. Ah! may her loathed gifts in light dust uselessly soak,
  18. For of unworthy sprite never a gift I desire.
  19. Rather, 0 new-mated brides, be concord aye your companion,
  20. Ever let constant love dwell in the dwellings of you.
  21. Yet when thou sightest, 0 Queen, the Constellations, I pray thee,
  22. Every festal day Venus the Goddess appease;
  23. Nor of thy unguent-gifts allow myself to be lacking,
  24. Nay, do thou rather add largeliest increase to boons.
  25. Would but the stars down fall! Could I of my Queen be the hair-lock,
  26. Neighbour to Hydrochois e'en let Oarion shine.

Quintus.
  1. 0 to the gentle spouse right dear, right dear to his parent,
  2. Hail, and with increase fair Jupiter lend thee his aid,
  3. Door, 'tis said wast fain kind service render to Balbus
  4. Erst while, long as the house by her old owner was held;
  5. Yet wast rumoured again to serve a purpose malignant,
  6. After the elder was stretched, thou being oped for a bride.
  7. Come, then, tell us the why in thee such change be reported