Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. But that a father durst dishonour the bed of his first-born,
  2. Folk all swear, and the house hapless with incest bewray;
  3. Or that his impious mind was blunt with fiery passion
  4. Or that his impotent son sprang from incapable seed.
  5. And to be sought was one with nerve more nervous endowèd,
  6. Who could better avail zone of the virgin to loose.
Quintus.
  1. 'Sooth, of egregious sire for piety wondrous, thou tellest,
  2. Who in the heart of his son lief was . . . !