Carmina

Catullus

Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.

  1. Eke neither Venus the Holy to rest in slumber's refreshment
  2. Grants thee her grace on couch lying deserted and lone,
  3. Nor can the Muses avail with dulcet song of old writers
  4. Ever delight thy mind sleepless in anxious care;
  5. Grateful be this to my thought since thus thy friend I'm entitled,
  6. Hence of me seekest thou gifts Muses and Venus can give:
  7. But that bide not unknown to thee my sorrows (0 Manius!)
  8. And lest office of host I should be holden to hate,
  9. Learn how in Fortune's deeps I chance myself to be drownèd,
  10. Nor fro' the poor rich boons furthermore prithee require.
  11. What while first to myself the pure-white garment was given,
  12. Whenas my flowery years flowed in fruition of spring,
  13. Much I disported enow, nor 'bode I a stranger to Goddess
  14. Who with our cares is lief sweetness of bitter to mix:
  15. Yet did a brother's death pursuits like these to my sorrow
  16. Bid for me cease: Oh, snatcht brother! from wretchedest me.
  17. Then, yea, thou by thy dying hast broke my comfort, 0 brother;
  18. Buried together wi' thee lieth the whole of our house;
  19. Perisht along wi' thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,
  20. Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.
  21. After thy doom of death fro' mind I banishèd wholly
  22. Studies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;
  23. Wherefore as to thy writ :—"Verona's home for Catullus
  24. Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark
  25. Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:"
  26. Such be no shame (Manius!): rather 'tis matter of ruth.
  27. Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
  28. These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
  29. For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
  30. Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
  31. There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
  32. Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.
  33. This being thus, nill I thou deem 'tis spirit malignant
  34. Acts in such wise or mind lacking of liberal mood
  35. That to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:
  36. Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.
  37. Nor can I (Goddesses!) hide in what things Allius sent me
  38. Aid, forbear to declare what was the aidance he deigned: