Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Or deem any shall prove pious and true to his dues.
  2. Waxes the world ingrate, no deed benevolent profits,
  3. Nay full oft it irks even offending the more:
  4. Such is my case whom none maltreats more grievously bitter,
  5. Than does the man that me held one and only to friend.
  1. Wont was Gellius hear his uncle rich in reproaches,
  2. When any ventured aught wanton in word or in deed.
  3. Lest to him chance such befall, his uncle's consort seduced he,
  4. And of his uncle himself fashioned an Harpocrates.
  5. What so he willed did he; and nowdays albe his uncle
  6. . . . .he, no word ever that uncle shall speak.
  1. So in devotion to thee lost is the duty self due,
  2. Nor can I will thee well if best of women thou prove thee,