Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Laodamía the home Protesiléan besought,
  2. Sought, but in vain, for ne'er wi' sacrificial blood shed
  3. Victims appeased the Lords ruling Celestial seats:
  4. Never may I so joy in aught (Rhamnusian Virgin!)
  5. That I engage in deed maugrè the will of the Lords.
  6. How starved altar can crave for gore in piety poured,
  7. Laodamia learnt taught by the loss of her man,
  8. Driven perforce to loose the neck of new-wedded help-mate,
  9. Whenas a winter had gone, nor other winter had come,
  10. Ere in the long dark nights her greeding love was so sated
  11. That she had power to live maugrè a marriage broke off,
  12. Which, as the Parcae knew, too soon was fated to happen
  13. Should he a soldier sail bound for those llian walls.
  14. For that by Helena's rape, the Champion-leaders of Argives
  15. Unto herself to incite Troy had already begun,
  16. Troy (ah, curst be the name) common tomb of Asia and Europe,
  17. Troy to sad ashes that turned valour and valorous men!
  18. Eke to our brother beloved, destruction ever lamented
  19. Brought she : 0 Brother for aye lost unto wretchedmost me,
  20. Oh, to thy wretchedmost brother lost the light of his life-tide,
  21. Buried together wi' thee lieth the whole of our house:
  22. Perisht along wi' thyself forthright all joys we enjoyèd,
  23. Douce joys fed by thy love during the term of our days;