Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. She though never she bide with one Catullus contented,
  2. Yet will I bear with the rare thefts of my dame the discreet,
  3. Lest over-irk I give which still of fools is the fashion.
  4. Often did Juno eke Queen of the Heavenly host
  5. Boil wi' the rabidest rage at dire default of a husband
  6. Learning the manifold thefts of her omnivolent Jove,
  7. Yet with the Gods mankind 'tis nowise righteous to liken,
  8. ---
  9. Rid me of graceless task fit for a tremulous sire.
  10. Yet was she never to me by hand paternal committed
  11. Whenas she came to my house reeking Assyrian scents;
  12. Nay, in the darkness of night her furtive favours she deigned me,
  13. Self-willed taking herself from very mate's very breast.
  14. Wherefore I hold it enough since given to us and us only
  15. Boon of that day with Stone whiter than wont she denotes.
  16. This to thee—all that I can—this offering couched in verses
  17. (Allius!) as my return give I for service galore;
  18. So wi' the seabriny rust your name may never be sullied
  19. This day and that nor yet other and other again.
  20. Hereto add may the Gods all good gifts, which Themis erewhiles
  21. Wont on the pious of old from her full store to bestow:
  22. Blest be the times of the twain, thyself and she who thy life is,
  23. Also the home wherein dallied we, no less the Dame,
  24. Anser to boot who first of mortals brought us together,
  25. Whence from beginning all good Fortunes that blest us were born.
  26. Lastly than every else one dearer than self and far dearer,
  27. Light of my life who alive living to me can endear.
  1. Wonder not blatantly why no woman shall ever be willing
  2. (Rufus!) her tender thigh under thyself to bestow,
  3. Not an thou tempt her full by bribes of the rarest garments,
  4. Or by the dear delights gems the pellucidest deal.
  5. Harms thee an ugly tale wherein of thee is recorded
  6. Horrible stench of the goat under thine arm-pits be lodged.
  7. All are in dread thereof; nor wonder this, for 'tis evil
  8. Beastie, nor damsel fair ever thereto shall succumb.
  9. So do thou either kill that cruel pest o' their noses,
  10. Or at their reason of flight blatantly wondering cease.
  1. Never, my woman oft says, with any of men will she mate be,
  2. Save wi' my own very self, ask her though Jupiter deign!
  3. Says she: but womanly words that are spoken to desireful lover
  4. Ought to be written on wind or upon water that runs.