Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Now to that tender bard, my Comrade fair,
  2. (Cecilius) say I, " Paper go, declare,
  3. Verona must we make and bid to New
  4. Comum's town-walls and Larian Shores adieu;"
  5. For I determined certain fancies he
  6. Accept from mutual friend to him and me.
  7. Wherefore he will, if wise, devour the way,
  8. Though the blonde damsel thousand times essay
  9. Recall his going and with arms a-neck
  10. A-winding would e'er seek his course to check;
  11. A girl who (if the truth be truly told)
  12. Dies of a hopeless passion uncontroul'd;
  13. For since the doings of the Díndymus-dame,
  14. By himself storied, she hath read, a flame
  15. Wasting her inmost marrow-core hath burned.
  16. I pardon thee, than Sapphic Muse more learn'd,
  17. Damsel : for truly sung in sweetest lays
  18. Was by Cecilius Magna Mater's praise.