Carmina

Catullus

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

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