Carmina

You who dwell on Helicon Hill, sprung from Urania, who carry off the gentle virgin to her mate, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!

Twine round your temples sweet-smelling flowers of marjoram; put on your gold-tinted veil; lighthearted here, come here, bearing on snowy foot the golden-yellow sandal:

And afire with the joyous day, chanting wedding melodies with ringing voice, strike the ground with your feet, with your hand swing aloft the torch of pine.

For Vinia—fair as Venus dwelling in Idalium when came to the Phrygian judge—a virgin fair, weds Manlius amid happy auspices.

She, bright-shining as the Asian myrtle florid in its branches, which the Hamadryads nurture for their pleasure with besprinkled dew.

So come then! convey your approach here, leaving the Aonian cave in cliffs of Thespiae, over which flows the chilling stream of Aganippe.

And summon homewards the mistress, eager for her new husband, firm-prisoning her soul in love; as tight-clasping ivy, wandering here and there, wraps the tree around.

And also you, upright virgins, for whom a like day is nearing, chant in cadence, singing “O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!”

That more freely, hearing himself to his duty called, will he bear here his presence, Lord of honorable love, uniter of true lovers.

What god is worthier to be sought by anxious lovers? Whom of the celestials do men worship more greatly? O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!

You for his young the trembling father beseeches, for you virgins unclasp the belt from their breasts, for you the fearful bridegroom harkens with eager ear.

You deliver into the hands of the untamed youth that flower-like maiden, taken from her mother's bosom, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!

Without you Venus can do nothing suitable that good repute sanctions; but she can, with you willing. Who dares to be compared with such a god?

Without you, no house can produce heirs, no parent be surrounded by offspring; but they can, with you willing. Who dares to be compared with such a god?

And lacking your rites no land can give protection to its territory; but it can, with you willing. Who dares to be compared with such a god?

Unbolt, open the gates: the virgin is here. See how the torches shake their gleaming locks? ---