Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Yet with the Gods mankind 'tis nowise righteous to liken,
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- Rid me of graceless task fit for a tremulous sire.
- Yet was she never to me by hand paternal committed
- Whenas she came to my house reeking Assyrian scents;
- Nay, in the darkness of night her furtive favours she deigned me,
- Self-willed taking herself from very mate's very breast.
- Wherefore I hold it enough since given to us and us only
- Boon of that day with Stone whiter than wont she denotes.
- This to thee—all that I can—this offering couched in verses
- (Allius!) as my return give I for service galore;
- So wi' the seabriny rust your name may never be sullied
- This day and that nor yet other and other again.
- Hereto add may the Gods all good gifts, which Themis erewhiles
- Wont on the pious of old from her full store to bestow:
- Blest be the times of the twain, thyself and she who thy life is,
- Also the home wherein dallied we, no less the Dame,
- Anser to boot who first of mortals brought us together,
- Whence from beginning all good Fortunes that blest us were born.
- Lastly than every else one dearer than self and far dearer,