Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Learn how in Fortune's deeps I chance myself to be drownèd,
  2. Nor fro' the poor rich boons furthermore prithee require.
  3. What while first to myself the pure-white garment was given,
  4. Whenas my flowery years flowed in fruition of spring,
  5. Much I disported enow, nor 'bode I a stranger to Goddess
  6. Who with our cares is lief sweetness of bitter to mix:
  7. Yet did a brother's death pursuits like these to my sorrow
  8. Bid for me cease: Oh, snatcht brother! from wretchedest me.
  9. Then, yea, thou by thy dying hast broke my comfort, 0 brother;
  10. Buried together wi' thee lieth the whole of our house;
  11. Perisht along wi' thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,
  12. Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.
  13. After thy doom of death fro' mind I banishèd wholly
  14. Studies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;
  15. Wherefore as to thy writ :—"Verona's home for Catullus
  16. Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark
  17. Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:"
  18. Such be no shame (Manius!): rather 'tis matter of ruth.
  19. Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
  20. These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
  21. For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
  22. Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
  23. There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
  24. Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.
  25. This being thus, nill I thou deem 'tis spirit malignant
  26. Acts in such wise or mind lacking of liberal mood
  27. That to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:
  28. Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.
  29. Nor can I (Goddesses!) hide in what things Allius sent me
  30. Aid, forbear to declare what was the aidance he deigned:
  31. Neither shall fugitive Time from centuries ever oblivious
  32. Veil in the blinds of night friendship he lavisht on me.
  33. But will I say unto you what you shall say to the many
  34. Thousands in turn, and make paper, old crone, to proclaim
  35. ---
  36. And in his death become noted the more and the more,
  37. Nor let spider on high that weaves her delicate webbing
  38. Practise such labours o'er Allius' obsolete name.
  39. For that ye weet right well what care Amathúsia two-faced
  40. Gave me, and how she dasht every hope to the ground,
  41. Whenas I burnt so hot as burn Trinacria's rocks or
  42. Mallia stream that feeds Œtéan Thermopylae;
  43. Nor did these saddened eyes to be dimmed by assiduous weeping
  44. Cease, and my cheeks with showers ever in sadness be wet.
  45. E'en as from aëry heights of mountain springeth a springlet
  46. Limpidest leaping forth from rocking felted with moss,
  47. Then having headlong rolled the prone-laid valley downpouring,
  48. Populous region amid wendeth his gradual way,
  49. Sweetest solace of all to the sweltering traveller wayworn,