Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Many a thousand scents, Syrian unguents, to sip.
  2. Now do you pair conjoined by the longed-for light of the torches,
  3. Earlier yield not selves unto unanimous wills
  4. Nor wi' the dresses doft your barèd nipples encounter,
  5. Ere shall yon onyx-vase pour me libations glad,
  6. Onyx yours, ye that seek only rights of virtuous bed-rite.
  7. But who yieldeth herself unto advowtry impure,
  8. Ah! may her loathed gifts in light dust uselessly soak,
  9. For of unworthy sprite never a gift I desire.
  10. Rather, 0 new-mated brides, be concord aye your companion,
  11. Ever let constant love dwell in the dwellings of you.