Carmina

Catullus

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

Lover conjoining strait.

What God than other Godheads more

Must love-sick wights for aid implore?

Whose Godhead foremost shall adore

Mankind? 0 Hymenaeus Hymen,

O Hymen Hymenaeus.

Thee for his own the trembling sire

Invokes, thee Virgins ever sue

Who laps of zone to loose aspire,

And thee the bashful bridegrooms woo

With ears that long to hear.

Thou to the hand of love-fierce swain

Deliverest maiden fair and fain,

From mother's fondling bosom ta'en

Perforce, 0 Hymenaeus Hymen

0 Hymen Hymenaeus.

Thou lacking, Venus ne'er avails—

While Fame approves for honesty—

Love-joys to lavish: ne'er she fails

Thou willing:—with such Deity