Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Vesper is here, O youths, rise all; for Vesper Olympus
- Scales and in fine enfires what lights so long were expected!
- Time 'tis now to arise, now leave we tables rich laden,
- Now shall the Virgin come; now chaunt we the Hymenaeus.
- Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!
- View ye the Youths, O Maids unwed? Then rise to withstand them:
- Doubtless the night-fraught Star displays his splendour Oetean.
- Sooth 'tis so; d'ye sight how Speedily sprang they to warfare?
- Nor for a naught up-sprang: they'll Sing what need we to conquer.
- Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!
- Nowise easy the palm for us (Companions!) be proffer'd,
- Lo! now the maidens muse and meditate matter of forethought
- Nor meditate they in vain; they muse a humorous something.
- Yet naught wonder it is, their sprites be wholly in labour.
- We bear divided thought one way and hearing in other:
- Vanquish't by right we must be, since Victory loveth the heedful.
- Therefore at least d'ye turn your minds the task to consider,
- Soon shall begin their say whose countersay shall befit you.
- Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!
- Hesperus! say what flame more cruel in Heaven be fanned?