Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Rid me of graceless task fit for a tremulous sire.
  2. Yet was she never to me by hand paternal committed
  3. Whenas she came to my house reeking Assyrian scents;
  4. Nay, in the darkness of night her furtive favours she deigned me,
  5. Self-willed taking herself from very mate's very breast.
  6. Wherefore I hold it enough since given to us and us only
  7. Boon of that day with Stone whiter than wont she denotes.
  8. This to thee—all that I can—this offering couched in verses
  9. (Allius!) as my return give I for service galore;
  10. So wi' the seabriny rust your name may never be sullied
  11. This day and that nor yet other and other again.