Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Came and with gleaming foot on the worn sole of the threshold
  2. Stood she and prest its slab creakihg her sandals the while;
  3. E'enso with love enflamed in olden days to her helpmate,
  4. Laodamía the home Protesiléan besought,
  5. Sought, but in vain, for ne'er wi' sacrificial blood shed
  6. Victims appeased the Lords ruling Celestial seats:
  7. Never may I so joy in aught (Rhamnusian Virgin!)
  8. That I engage in deed maugrè the will of the Lords.
  9. How starved altar can crave for gore in piety poured,
  10. Laodamia learnt taught by the loss of her man,
  11. Driven perforce to loose the neck of new-wedded help-mate,