Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Perisht along wi' thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,
  2. Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.
  3. After thy doom of death fro' mind I banishèd wholly
  4. Studies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;
  5. Wherefore as to thy writ :—"Verona's home for Catullus
  6. Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark
  7. Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:"
  8. Such be no shame (Manius!): rather 'tis matter of ruth.
  9. Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
  10. These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
  11. For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
  12. Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
  13. There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
  14. Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.
  15. This being thus, nill I thou deem 'tis spirit malignant
  16. Acts in such wise or mind lacking of liberal mood
  17. That to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:
  18. Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.
  19. Nor can I (Goddesses!) hide in what things Allius sent me
  20. Aid, forbear to declare what was the aidance he deigned:
  21. Neither shall fugitive Time from centuries ever oblivious
  22. Veil in the blinds of night friendship he lavisht on me.
  23. But will I say unto you what you shall say to the many
  24. Thousands in turn, and make paper, old crone, to proclaim
  25. ---
  26. And in his death become noted the more and the more,
  27. Nor let spider on high that weaves her delicate webbing
  28. Practise such labours o'er Allius' obsolete name.
  29. For that ye weet right well what care Amathúsia two-faced
  30. Gave me, and how she dasht every hope to the ground,
  31. Whenas I burnt so hot as burn Trinacria's rocks or
  32. Mallia stream that feeds Œtéan Thermopylae;
  33. Nor did these saddened eyes to be dimmed by assiduous weeping
  34. Cease, and my cheeks with showers ever in sadness be wet.
  35. E'en as from aëry heights of mountain springeth a springlet
  36. Limpidest leaping forth from rocking felted with moss,
  37. Then having headlong rolled the prone-laid valley downpouring,
  38. Populous region amid wendeth his gradual way,
  39. Sweetest solace of all to the sweltering traveller wayworn,
  40. Whenas the heavy heat fissures the fiery fields;
  41. Or, as to seamen lost in night of whirlwind a-glooming
  42. Gentle of breath there comes fairest and favouring breeze,
  43. Pollux anon being prayed, nor less vows offered to Castor:—
  44. Such was the aidance to us Manius pleased to afford.
  45. He to my narrow domains far wider limits laid open,
  46. He too gave me the house, also he gave me the dame,
  47. She upon whom both might exert them, partners in love deeds.