Carmina
Catullus
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus. Burton, Sir Richard Francis, translator. London, Printed for the Translators, 1894.
- Wonder not blatantly why no woman shall ever be willing
- (Rufus!) her tender thigh under thyself to bestow,
- Not an thou tempt her full by bribes of the rarest garments,
- Or by the dear delights gems the pellucidest deal.
- Harms thee an ugly tale wherein of thee is recorded
- Horrible stench of the goat under thine arm-pits be lodged.
- All are in dread thereof; nor wonder this, for 'tis evil
- Beastie, nor damsel fair ever thereto shall succumb.
- So do thou either kill that cruel pest o' their noses,
- Or at their reason of flight blatantly wondering cease.