Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Whenas my flowery years flowed in fruition of spring,
  2. Much I disported enow, nor 'bode I a stranger to Goddess
  3. Who with our cares is lief sweetness of bitter to mix:
  4. Yet did a brother's death pursuits like these to my sorrow
  5. Bid for me cease: Oh, snatcht brother! from wretchedest me.
  6. Then, yea, thou by thy dying hast broke my comfort, 0 brother;
  7. Buried together wi' thee lieth the whole of our house;
  8. Perisht along wi' thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,
  9. Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.
  10. After thy doom of death fro' mind I banishèd wholly
  11. Studies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;
  12. Wherefore as to thy writ :—"Verona's home for Catullus
  13. Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark
  14. Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:"
  15. Such be no shame (Manius!): rather 'tis matter of ruth.
  16. Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
  17. These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
  18. For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
  19. Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
  20. There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
  21. Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.
  22. This being thus, nill I thou deem 'tis spirit malignant
  23. Acts in such wise or mind lacking of liberal mood
  24. That to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:
  25. Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.
  26. Nor can I (Goddesses!) hide in what things Allius sent me
  27. Aid, forbear to declare what was the aidance he deigned:
  28. Neither shall fugitive Time from centuries ever oblivious
  29. Veil in the blinds of night friendship he lavisht on me.
  30. But will I say unto you what you shall say to the many
  31. Thousands in turn, and make paper, old crone, to proclaim
  32. ---
  33. And in his death become noted the more and the more,
  34. Nor let spider on high that weaves her delicate webbing
  35. Practise such labours o'er Allius' obsolete name.
  36. For that ye weet right well what care Amathúsia two-faced
  37. Gave me, and how she dasht every hope to the ground,
  38. Whenas I burnt so hot as burn Trinacria's rocks or
  39. Mallia stream that feeds Œtéan Thermopylae;
  40. Nor did these saddened eyes to be dimmed by assiduous weeping