Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Where I was wont (though she such cares unknew in her girlhood)
  2. Many a thousand scents, Syrian unguents, to sip.
  3. Now do you pair conjoined by the longed-for light of the torches,
  4. Earlier yield not selves unto unanimous wills
  5. Nor wi' the dresses doft your barèd nipples encounter,
  6. Ere shall yon onyx-vase pour me libations glad,
  7. Onyx yours, ye that seek only rights of virtuous bed-rite.
  8. But who yieldeth herself unto advowtry impure,
  9. Ah! may her loathed gifts in light dust uselessly soak,
  10. For of unworthy sprite never a gift I desire.
  11. Rather, 0 new-mated brides, be concord aye your companion,
  12. Ever let constant love dwell in the dwellings of you.
  13. Yet when thou sightest, 0 Queen, the Constellations, I pray thee,
  14. Every festal day Venus the Goddess appease;