Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Gallus hath brothers in pair, this owning most beautiful consort,
  2. While unto that is given also a beautiful son.
  3. Gallus is charming as man; for sweet loves ever conjoins he,
  4. So that the charming lad sleep wi' the charmer his lass.
  5. Gallus is foolish wight, nor self regards he as husband,
  6. When being uncle how nuncle to cuckold he show.
  1. Lesbius is beauty-man: why not? when Lesbia wills him
  2. Better, Catullus, than thee backed by the whole of thy clan.
  3. Yet may that beauty-man sell all his clan with Catullus,
  4. An of three noted names greeting salute he can gain.
  1. How shall I (Gellius!) tell what way lips rosy as thine are
  2. Come to be bleached and blanched whiter than wintry snow,
  3. When as thou quittest the house a-morn, and at two after noon-tide
  4. Roused from quiet repose, wakest for length of the day?
  5. Certès sure am I not an Rumour rightfully whisper
  6. . . . . . . .
  7. . . . . . . . .
  8. . . . . . . .
  1. Could there never be found in folk so thronging (Juventius!)
  2. Any one charming thee whom thou couldst fancy to love,