Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Yet will I bear with the rare thefts of my dame the discreet,
  2. Lest over-irk I give which still of fools is the fashion.
  3. Often did Juno eke Queen of the Heavenly host
  4. Boil wi' the rabidest rage at dire default of a husband
  5. Learning the manifold thefts of her omnivolent Jove,
  6. Yet with the Gods mankind 'tis nowise righteous to liken,
  7. ---
  8. Rid me of graceless task fit for a tremulous sire.
  9. Yet was she never to me by hand paternal committed
  10. Whenas she came to my house reeking Assyrian scents;
  11. Nay, in the darkness of night her furtive favours she deigned me,
  12. Self-willed taking herself from very mate's very breast.
  13. Wherefore I hold it enough since given to us and us only
  14. Boon of that day with Stone whiter than wont she denotes.
  15. This to thee—all that I can—this offering couched in verses