Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- But with the Will wherewith could Theseus leave me in loneness,
- Goddesses! bid that Will lead him, lead his, to destruction."
- E'en as she thus poured forth these words from anguish of bosom,
- And for this cruel deed, distracted, sued she for vengeance,
- Nodded the Ruler of Gods Celestial, matchless of All-might,
- When at the gest earth-plain and horrid spaces of ocean
- Trembled, and every sphere rockt stars and planets resplendent.
- Meanwhile Theseus himself, obscured in blindness of darkness
- As to his mind, dismiss'd from breast oblivious all things
- Erewhile enjoined and held hereto in memory constant,
- Nor for his saddened sire the gladness-signals uphoisting
- Heralded safe return within sight of the Erechthean harbour.
- For 'twas told of yore, when from walls of the Virginal Deess
- Aegeus speeding his son, to the care of breezes committed,
- Thus with a last embrace to the youth spoke words of commandment:
- "Son! far nearer my heart (you alone) than life of the longest,
- Son, I perforce dismiss to doubtful, dangerous chances,
- Lately restored to me when eld draws nearest his ending,
- Since such fortune in me, and in you such boiling of valour
- Tear you away from me so loath, whose eyes in their languor