Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Wonder not blatantly why no woman shall ever be willing
  2. (Rufus!) her tender thigh under thyself to bestow,
  3. Not an thou tempt her full by bribes of the rarest garments,
  4. Or by the dear delights gems the pellucidest deal.
  5. Harms thee an ugly tale wherein of thee is recorded
  6. Horrible stench of the goat under thine arm-pits be lodged.
  7. All are in dread thereof; nor wonder this, for 'tis evil
  8. Beastie, nor damsel fair ever thereto shall succumb.
  9. So do thou either kill that cruel pest o' their noses,
  10. Or at their reason of flight blatantly wondering cease.