Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Pleasure frustrated aye by the false flow of tears
- Poured in profusion amid illuminate genial chamber?
- Nay not real the 'groans; ever so help me the Gods!
- This truth taught me my Queen by force of manifold 'plainings
- After her new groom hied facing the fierceness of fight.
- Yet so thou mournedst not for a bed deserted of husband,
- As for a brother beloved wending on woefullest way?
- How was the marrow of thee consumedly wasted by sorrow!
- So clean forth of thy breast, rackt with solicitous care,
- Mind fled, sense being reft! But I have known thee for certain
- E'en from young virginal years lofty of spirit to be.
- Hast thou forgotten the feat whose greatness won thee a royal
- Marriage—a deed so prow, never a prower was dared?
- Yet how sad was the speech thou spakest, thy husband farewelling!
- (Jupiter!) Often thine eyes wiping with sorrowful hand!
- What manner God so great thus changed thee? Is it that lovers
- Never will tarry afar parted from person beloved?
- Then unto every God on behalf of thy helpmate, thy sweeting,
- Me thou gayest in vow, not without bloodshed of bulls,
- If he be granted return, and long while nowise delaying,