Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phoebus) in loneness,
- Lone wi' thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus:
- For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus,
- Nor Thetis' nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence.
- When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing,
- Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht.
- But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance
- Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.
- Robed were their tremulous frames all o'er in muffle of garments
- Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges;
- Snowy the fillets that bound heads aged by many a year-tide,
- And, as their wont aye was, their hands plied labour unceasing.
- Each in her left upheld with soft fleece clothed a distaff,
- Then did the right that drew forth thread with upturn of fingers
- Gently fashion the yarn which deftly twisted by thumb-ball
- Speeded the spindle poised by thread-whorl perfect of polish;
- Thus as the work was wrought, the lengths were trimmed wi' the fore-teeth,
- While to their thin, dry lips stuck wool-flecks severed by biting,
- Which at the first outstood from yarn-hanks evenly fine-drawn.
- Still at their feet in front soft fleece-flecks white as the snow-flake