Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Nor wi' the dresses doft your barèd nipples encounter,
- Ere shall yon onyx-vase pour me libations glad,
- Onyx yours, ye that seek only rights of virtuous bed-rite.
- But who yieldeth herself unto advowtry impure,
- Ah! may her loathed gifts in light dust uselessly soak,
- For of unworthy sprite never a gift I desire.
- Rather, 0 new-mated brides, be concord aye your companion,
- Ever let constant love dwell in the dwellings of you.
- Yet when thou sightest, 0 Queen, the Constellations, I pray thee,
- Every festal day Venus the Goddess appease;
- Nor of thy unguent-gifts allow myself to be lacking,
- Nay, do thou rather add largeliest increase to boons.
- Would but the stars down fall! Could I of my Queen be the hair-lock,
- Neighbour to Hydrochois e'en let Oarion shine.