Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Ever delight thy mind sleepless in anxious care;
  2. Grateful be this to my thought since thus thy friend I'm entitled,
  3. Hence of me seekest thou gifts Muses and Venus can give:
  4. But that bide not unknown to thee my sorrows (0 Manius!)
  5. And lest office of host I should be holden to hate,
  6. Learn how in Fortune's deeps I chance myself to be drownèd,
  7. Nor fro' the poor rich boons furthermore prithee require.
  8. What while first to myself the pure-white garment was given,
  9. Whenas my flowery years flowed in fruition of spring,
  10. Much I disported enow, nor 'bode I a stranger to Goddess
  11. Who with our cares is lief sweetness of bitter to mix:
  12. Yet did a brother's death pursuits like these to my sorrow
  13. Bid for me cease: Oh, snatcht brother! from wretchedest me.
  14. Then, yea, thou by thy dying hast broke my comfort, 0 brother;
  15. Buried together wi' thee lieth the whole of our house;
  16. Perisht along wi' thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,
  17. Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.
  18. After thy doom of death fro' mind I banishèd wholly
  19. Studies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;
  20. Wherefore as to thy writ :—"Verona's home for Catullus
  21. Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark
  22. Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:"
  23. Such be no shame (Manius!): rather 'tis matter of ruth.
  24. Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
  25. These I send not to thee since I avail not present.