Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- When to me sore opprest by bitter chance of misfortune
- This thy letter thou send'st written wi' blotting of tears,
- So might I save thee flung by spuming billows of ocean,
- Shipwreckt, rescuing life snatcht from the threshold of death;
- Eke neither Venus the Holy to rest in slumber's refreshment
- Grants thee her grace on couch lying deserted and lone,
- Nor can the Muses avail with dulcet song of old writers
- Ever delight thy mind sleepless in anxious care;
- Grateful be this to my thought since thus thy friend I'm entitled,
- Hence of me seekest thou gifts Muses and Venus can give:
- But that bide not unknown to thee my sorrows (0 Manius!)
- And lest office of host I should be holden to hate,
- Learn how in Fortune's deeps I chance myself to be drownèd,
- Nor fro' the poor rich boons furthermore prithee require.
- What while first to myself the pure-white garment was given,
- Whenas my flowery years flowed in fruition of spring,
- Much I disported enow, nor 'bode I a stranger to Goddess
- Who with our cares is lief sweetness of bitter to mix:
- Yet did a brother's death pursuits like these to my sorrow
- Bid for me cease: Oh, snatcht brother! from wretchedest me.