Carmina

Catullus

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

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