Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Bid for me cease: Oh, snatcht brother! from wretchedest me.
  2. Then, yea, thou by thy dying hast broke my comfort, 0 brother;
  3. Buried together wi' thee lieth the whole of our house;
  4. Perisht along wi' thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,
  5. Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.
  6. After thy doom of death fro' mind I banishèd wholly
  7. Studies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;
  8. Wherefore as to thy writ :—"Verona's home for Catullus
  9. Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark
  10. Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:"
  11. Such be no shame (Manius!): rather 'tis matter of ruth.
  12. Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
  13. These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
  14. For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
  15. Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
  16. There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
  17. Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.