Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. She who be dearer to me even than either my eyes?
  2. Ne'er could I, nor an I could, should I so losingly love her:
  3. But with Tappo thou dost design every monstrous deed.
  1. Mentula fain would ascend Pipléan mountain up-mounting:
  2. Pitch him the Muses down headlong wi' forklets a-hurled.
  1. When with a pretty-faced boy we see one playing the Crier,
  2. What can we wot except longs he for selling the same?
  1. An to one ever accrue any boon he lusted and longed for
  2. Any time after despair, grateful it comes to his soul.
  3. Thus 'tis grateful to us nor gold was ever so goodly,
  4. When thou restorest thyself (Lesbia!) to loving-most me,
  5. Self thou restorest unhoped, and after despair thou returnest.
  6. Oh the fair light of a Day noted with notabler white!
  7. Where lives a happier man than myself or—this being won me—
  8. Who shall e'er boast that his life brought him more coveted lot?
  1. If by the verdict o' folk thy hoary old age (0 Cominius!)
  2. Filthy with fulsomest lust ever be doomed to the death,
  3. Make I no manner of doubt but first thy tongue to the worthy
  4. Ever a foe, cut out, ravening Vulture shall feed;
  5. Gulp shall the Crow's black gorge those eye-balls dug from their sockets,