Carmina

Catullus

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

  1. Lest to him chance such befall, his uncle's consort seduced he,
  2. And of his uncle himself fashioned an Harpocrates.
  3. What so he willed did he; and nowdays albe his uncle
  4. . . . .he, no word ever that uncle shall speak.
  1. So in devotion to thee lost is the duty self due,
  2. Nor can I will thee well if best of women thou prove thee,
  3. Nor can I cease to love, do thou what doings thou wilt.
  1. If to remember deeds whilòme well done be a pleasure
  2. Meet for a man who deems all of his dealings be just,
  3. Nor Holy Faith ever broke nor in whatever his compact
  4. Sanction of Gods abused better to swindle mankind,
  5. Much there remains for thee during length of living, Catullus,
  6. Out of that Love ingrate further to solace thy soul;
  7. For whatever of good can mortal declare of another
  8. Or can avail he do, such thou hast said and hast done;
  9. While to a thankless mind entrusted all of them perisht.
  10. Why, then, crucify self now with a furthering pain?
  11. Why not steady thy thoughts and draw thee back from such purpose,
  12. Ceasing wretched to be maugrè the will of the Gods?
  13. Difficult 'tis indeed long Love to depose of a sudden,