Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Shone with a candid sheen robed in his safflower dress.
  2. She though never she bide with one Catullus contented,
  3. Yet will I bear with the rare thefts of my dame the discreet,
  4. Lest over-irk I give which still of fools is the fashion.
  5. Often did Juno eke Queen of the Heavenly host
  6. Boil wi' the rabidest rage at dire default of a husband
  7. Learning the manifold thefts of her omnivolent Jove,
  8. Yet with the Gods mankind 'tis nowise righteous to liken,
  9. ---
  10. Rid me of graceless task fit for a tremulous sire.
  11. Yet was she never to me by hand paternal committed
  12. Whenas she came to my house reeking Assyrian scents;
  13. Nay, in the darkness of night her furtive favours she deigned me,
  14. Self-willed taking herself from very mate's very breast.
  15. Wherefore I hold it enough since given to us and us only
  16. Boon of that day with Stone whiter than wont she denotes.
  17. This to thee—all that I can—this offering couched in verses
  18. (Allius!) as my return give I for service galore;
  19. So wi' the seabriny rust your name may never be sullied
  20. This day and that nor yet other and other again.