Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Now have I learnt thee aright; wherefor though burn I the hotter,
  2. Lighter and viler by far thou unto me hast become.
  3. "How can this be?" dost ask: 'tis that such injury ever
  4. Forces the hotter to love, also the less well to will.
  1. Cease thou of any to hope desirèd boon of well-willing,
  2. Or deem any shall prove pious and true to his dues.
  3. Waxes the world ingrate, no deed benevolent profits,
  4. Nay full oft it irks even offending the more:
  5. Such is my case whom none maltreats more grievously bitter,
  6. Than does the man that me held one and only to friend.
  1. Wont was Gellius hear his uncle rich in reproaches,
  2. When any ventured aught wanton in word or in deed.
  3. Lest to him chance such befall, his uncle's consort seduced he,
  4. And of his uncle himself fashioned an Harpocrates.