Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
  2. These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
  3. For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
  4. Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
  5. There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
  6. Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.
  7. This being thus, nill I thou deem 'tis spirit malignant
  8. Acts in such wise or mind lacking of liberal mood
  9. That to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:
  10. Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.
  11. Nor can I (Goddesses!) hide in what things Allius sent me
  12. Aid, forbear to declare what was the aidance he deigned:
  13. Neither shall fugitive Time from centuries ever oblivious
  14. Veil in the blinds of night friendship he lavisht on me.
  15. But will I say unto you what you shall say to the many
  16. Thousands in turn, and make paper, old crone, to proclaim
  17. ---
  18. And in his death become noted the more and the more,
  19. Nor let spider on high that weaves her delicate webbing
  20. Practise such labours o'er Allius' obsolete name.
  21. For that ye weet right well what care Amathúsia two-faced
  22. Gave me, and how she dasht every hope to the ground,
  23. Whenas I burnt so hot as burn Trinacria's rocks or
  24. Mallia stream that feeds Œtéan Thermopylae;
  25. Nor did these saddened eyes to be dimmed by assiduous weeping
  26. Cease, and my cheeks with showers ever in sadness be wet.
  27. E'en as from aëry heights of mountain springeth a springlet
  28. Limpidest leaping forth from rocking felted with moss,
  29. Then having headlong rolled the prone-laid valley downpouring,
  30. Populous region amid wendeth his gradual way,
  31. Sweetest solace of all to the sweltering traveller wayworn,
  32. Whenas the heavy heat fissures the fiery fields;
  33. Or, as to seamen lost in night of whirlwind a-glooming
  34. Gentle of breath there comes fairest and favouring breeze,
  35. Pollux anon being prayed, nor less vows offered to Castor:—
  36. Such was the aidance to us Manius pleased to afford.
  37. He to my narrow domains far wider limits laid open,
  38. He too gave me the house, also he gave me the dame,
  39. She upon whom both might exert them, partners in love deeds.
  40. Thither graceful of gait pacing my goddess white-hued
  41. Came and with gleaming foot on the worn sole of the threshold
  42. Stood she and prest its slab creakihg her sandals the while;
  43. E'enso with love enflamed in olden days to her helpmate,
  44. Laodamía the home Protesiléan besought,
  45. Sought, but in vain, for ne'er wi' sacrificial blood shed