Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Then, yea, thou by thy dying hast broke my comfort, 0 brother;
- Buried together wi' thee lieth the whole of our house;
- Perisht along wi' thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,
- Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.
- After thy doom of death fro' mind I banishèd wholly
- Studies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;
- Wherefore as to thy writ :—"Verona's home for Catullus
- Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark
- Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:"
- Such be no shame (Manius!): rather 'tis matter of ruth.
- Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
- These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
- For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
- Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
- There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
- Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.
- This being thus, nill I thou deem 'tis spirit malignant
- Acts in such wise or mind lacking of liberal mood
- That to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:
- Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.