Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Whenas in summer-heat wont peradventure to stale.
  2. Yet has he many a motte and holds himself to be handsome—
  3. Why wi' the baker's ass is he not bound to the mill?
  4. Him if a damsel kiss we fain must think she be ready
  5. With her fair lips . . . .
  1. Rightly of thee may be said, an of any, (thou stinkingest Victius!)
  2. Whatso wont we to say touching the praters and prigs.
  3. Thou wi' that tongue o' thine own, if granted occasion availest
  4. Brogues of the cowherds to kiss, also their . . . .
  5. Wouldst thou undo us all with a thorough undoing (0 Victius!)
  6. Open thy gape :—thereby all shall be wholly undone.
  1. E'en as thou played'st, from thee snatched I (0 honied Juventius!)
  2. Kisslet of savour so sweet sweetest Ambrosia unknows.
  3. Yet was the theft nowise scot-free, for more than an hour I
  4. Clearly remember me fixt hanging from crest of the Cross,
  5. Whatwhile I purged my sin unto thee nor with any weeping
  6. Tittle of cruel despite such as be thine could I 'bate.
  7. For that no sooner done thou washed thy liplets with many
  8. Drops which thy fingers did wipe, using their every joint,
  9. Lest of our mouths conjoined remain there aught by the contact