Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Wherefore as to thy writ :—"Verona's home for Catullus
  2. Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark
  3. Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:"
  4. Such be no shame (Manius!): rather 'tis matter of ruth.
  5. Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
  6. These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
  7. For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
  8. Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
  9. There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
  10. Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.
  11. This being thus, nill I thou deem 'tis spirit malignant
  12. Acts in such wise or mind lacking of liberal mood
  13. That to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:
  14. Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.
  15. Nor can I (Goddesses!) hide in what things Allius sent me
  16. Aid, forbear to declare what was the aidance he deigned:
  17. Neither shall fugitive Time from centuries ever oblivious
  18. Veil in the blinds of night friendship he lavisht on me.
  19. But will I say unto you what you shall say to the many
  20. Thousands in turn, and make paper, old crone, to proclaim
  21. ---
  22. And in his death become noted the more and the more,
  23. Nor let spider on high that weaves her delicate webbing
  24. Practise such labours o'er Allius' obsolete name.
  25. For that ye weet right well what care Amathúsia two-faced
  26. Gave me, and how she dasht every hope to the ground,
  27. Whenas I burnt so hot as burn Trinacria's rocks or
  28. Mallia stream that feeds Œtéan Thermopylae;
  29. Nor did these saddened eyes to be dimmed by assiduous weeping
  30. Cease, and my cheeks with showers ever in sadness be wet.
  31. E'en as from aëry heights of mountain springeth a springlet
  32. Limpidest leaping forth from rocking felted with moss,
  33. Then having headlong rolled the prone-laid valley downpouring,