---
title: "Poems · Carmina"
author: "Catullus"
translator: "Sir Richard Francis Burton"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
url: https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/
cite: "Catullus, tr. Sir Richard Francis Burton, Poems · Carmina. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/"
---

# Poems · Carmina

*Catullus, tr. Sir Richard Francis Burton*

Lesbia, the sparrow, a thousand kisses, a brother’s grave: the poems of Catullus in Latin beside English.

> Latin: ed. Elmer Truesdell Merrill, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0472.phi001, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Sir Richard Francis Burton, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0472.phi001.perseus-eng3). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (books, chapters and sections), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## Contents

1. [Poems 1–41](https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/1.md)
2. [Poems 42–64](https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/2.md)
3. [Poems 64–67](https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/3.md)
4. [Poems 68–116](https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/4.md)

## 1. Poems 1–41

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/1/#p-N

[¶0] Now smooth’d to polish due with pumice dry
Whereto this lively booklet now give I?
To thee (Cornelius!); for wast ever fain
To deem my trifles somewhat boon contain;
E’en when thou single ’mongst Italians found
Daredst all periods in three Scripts expound
Learned (by Jupiter!) elaborately.
Then take thee whatso in this booklet be,
Such as it is, whereto O Patron Maid
To live down Ages lend thou lasting aid!

> Latin: Cui dono lepidum novum libellum
arido modo pumice expolitum?
Corneli, tibi; namque tu solebas
meas esse aliquid putare nugas,
iam tum cum ausus es unus Italorum
omne aevum tribus explicare chartis,
doctis, Iuppiter, et laboriosis!
quare habe tibi quidquid hoc libelli
qualecumque, quod, o patrona virgo,
plus uno maneat perenne saeclo.

[¶1] Sparrow! my pet’s delicious joy,
Wherewith in bosom nurst to toy
She loves, and gives her finger-tip
For sharp-nib’d greedingneb to nip,
Were she who my desire withstood
To seek some pet of merry mood,
As crumb o’ comfort for her grief,
Methinks her burning lowe’s relief:
Could I, as plays she, play with thee,
That mind might win from misery free!
…
To me t’were grateful (as they say),
Gold codling was to fleet-foot May,
Whose long-bound zone it loosed for aye.

> Latin: Passer, deliciae meae puellae,
quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere,
cui primum digitum dare adpetenti
et acris solet incitare morsus,
cum desiderio meo nitenti
carum nescio quid libet iocari
(et solaciolum sui doloris,
credo, ut tum gravis adquiescat ardor),
tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem
et tristis animi levare curas!
…
Tam gratum est mihi quam ferunt puellae
pernici aureolum fuisse malum,
quod zonam solvit diu ligatam.

[¶2] Weep every Venus, and all Cupids wail,
And men whose gentler spirits still prevail.
Dead is the Sparrow of my girl, the joy,
Sparrow, my sweeting’s most delicious toy,
Whom loved she dearer than her very eyes;
For he was honeyed-pet and anywise
Knew her, as even she her mother knew;
Ne’er from her bosom’s harbourage he flew
But ’round her hopping here, there, everywhere,
Piped he to none but her his lady fair.
Now must he wander o’er the darkling way
Thither, whence life-return the Fates denay.
But ah! beshrew you, evil Shadows low’ring
In Orcus ever loveliest things devouring:
Who bore so pretty a Sparrow fro’ her ta’en.
(Oh hapless birdie and Oh deed of bane!)
Now by your wanton work my girl appears
With turgid eyelids tinted rose by tears.

> Latin: Lugete, o Veneres Cupidinesque
et quantum est hominum venustiorum!
passer mortuus est meae puellae,
passer, deliciae meae puellae,
quem plus illa oculis suis amabat;
nam mellitus erat, suamque norat
ipsa tam bene quam puella matrem,
nec sese a gremio illius movebat,
sed circumsiliens modo huc modo illuc
ad solam dominam usque pipiabat.
qui nunc it per iter tenebricosum
illuc unde negant redire quemquam.
at vobis male sit, malae tenebrae
Orci, quae omnia bella devoratis;
tam bellum mihi passerem abstulistis.
o factum male! o miselle passer!
tua nunc opera meae puellae
flendo turgiduli rubent ocelli.

[¶3] Yonder Pinnace ye (my guests!) behold
Saith she was erstwhile fleetest-fleet of crafts,
Nor could by swiftness of aught plank that swims,
Be she outstripped, whether paddle plied,
Or fared she scudding under canvas-sail.
Eke she defieth threat’ning Adrian shore,
Dare not denay her, insular Cyclades,
And noble Rhodos and ferocious Thrace,
Propontis too and blustering Pontic bight.
Where she (my Pinnace now) in times before,
Was leafy woodling on Cytórean Chine
For ever loquent lisping with her leaves.
Pontic Amastris! Box-tree-clad Cytórus!
Cognisant were ye, and you weet full well
(So saith my Pinnace) how from earliest age
Upon your highmost-spiring peak she stood,
How in your waters first her sculls were dipt,
And thence thro’ many and many an important strait
She bore her owner whether left or right,
Where breezes bade her fare, or Jupiter deigned
At once propitious strike the sail full square;
Nor to the sea-shore gods was aught of vow
By her deemed needful, when from Ocean’s bourne
Extreme she voyaged for this limpid lake.
Yet were such things whilome: now she retired
In quiet age devotes herself to thee
(O twin-born Castor) twain with Castor’s twin.

> Latin: Phasellus ille, quem videtis, hospites,
ait fuisse navium celerrimus,
neque ullius natantis impetum trabis
nequisse praeterire, sive palmulis
opus foret volare sive linteo.
et hoc negat minacis Hadriatici
negare litus insulasve Cycladas
Rhodumque nobilem horridamque Thraciam
Propontida trucemve Ponticum sinum,
ubi iste post phasellus antea fuit
comata silva: nam Cytorio in iugo
loquente saepe sibilum edidit coma.
Amastri Pontica et Cytore buxifer,
tibi haec fuisse et esse cognitissima
ait phasellus; ultima ex origine
tuo stetisse dicit in cacumine,
tuo imbuisse palmulas in aequore,
et inde tot per impotentia freta
erum tulisse, laeva sive dextera
vocaret aura, sive utrumque Iuppiter
simul secundus incidisset in pedem;
neque ulla vota litoralibus diis
sibi esse facta, cum veniret a mari
novissimo hunc ad usque limpidum lacum.
sed haec prius fuere: nunc recondita
senet quiete seque dedicat tibi,
gemelle Castor et gemelle Castoris.

[¶4] Love we (my Lesbia!) and live we our day,
While all stern sayings crabbed sages say,
At one doit’s value let us price and prize!
The Suns can westward sink again to rise
But we, extinguished once our tiny light,
Perforce shall slumber through one lasting night!
Kiss me a thousand times, then hundred more,
Then thousand others, then a new five-score,
Still other thousand other hundred store.
Last when the sums to many thousands grow,
The tale let’s trouble till no more we know,
Nor envious wight despiteful shall misween us
Knowing how many kisses have been kissed between us.

> Latin: Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus,
rumoresque senum severiorum
omnes unius aestimemus assis.
soles occidere et redire possunt:
nobis, cum semel occidit brevis lux,
nox est perpetua una dormienda.
da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum,
dein, cum milia multa fecerimus,
conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,
aut ne quis malus invidere possit,
cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.

[¶5] Thy Charmer (Flavius!) to Catullus’ ear
Were she not manner’d mean and worst in wit
Perforce thou hadst praised nor couldst silence keep.
But some enfevered jade, I wot-not-what,
Some piece thou lovest, blushing this to own.
For, nowise ’customed widower nights to lie
Thou ’rt ever summoned by no silent bed
With flow’r-wreaths fragrant and with Syrian oil,
By mattress, bolsters, here, there, everywhere
Deep-dinted, and by quaking, shaking couch
All crepitation and mobility.
Explain! none whoredoms (no!) shall close my lips.
Why? such outfuttered flank thou ne’er wouldst show
Had not some fulsome work by thee been wrought.
Then what thou holdest, boon or bane be pleased
Disclose! For thee and thy beloved fain would I
Upraise to Heaven with my liveliest lay.

> Latin: Flavi, delicias tuas Catullo,
ni sint inlepidae atque inelegantes,
velles dicere, nec tacere posses.
verum nescio quid febriculosi
scorti diligis: hoc pudet fateri.
nam te non viduas iacere noctes
nequiquam tacitum cubile clamat
sertis ac Syrio fragrans olivo,
pulvinusque peraeque et hic et ille
attritus, tremulique quassa lecti
argutatio inambulatioque.
nam nil stupra valet, nihil, tacere.
cur? non tam latera ecfututa pandas,
ni tu quid facias ineptiarum.
quare, quidquid habes boni malique,
dic nobis: volo te ac tuos amores
ad caelum lepido vocare versu.

[¶6] Thou ask’st How many kissing bouts I bore
From thee (my Lesbia!) or be enough or more?
I say what mighty sum of Lybian-sands
Confine Cyrene’s Laserpitium-lands
’Twixt Oracle of Jove the Swelterer
And olden Battus’ holy Sepulchre,
Or stars innumerate through night-stillness ken
The stolen Love-delights of mortal men,
For that to kiss thee with unending kisses
For mad Catullus enough and more be this,
Risses nor curious wight shall count their tale,
Nor to bewitch us evil tongue avail.

> Latin: Quaeris quot mihi basiationes
tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque.
quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae
laserpiciferis iacet Cyrenis,
oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi
et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum,
aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox,
furtivos hominum vident amores,
tam te basia multa basiare
vesano satis et super Catullo est,
quae nec pernumerare curiosi
possint nec mala fascinare lingua.

[¶7] Woe-full Catullus! cease to play the fool
And what thou seest dead as dead regard!
Whilòme the sheeniest suns for thee did shine
When oft-a-tripping whither led the girl
By us beloved, as shall none be loved.
There all so merry doings then were done
After thy liking, nor the girl was loath.
Then certès sheeniest suns for thee did shine.
Now she’s unwilling: thou too (hapless!) will
Her flight to follow, and sad life to live:
Endure with stubborn soul and still obdure.
Damsel, adieu! Catullus obdurate grown
Nor seeks thee, neither asks of thine unwill;
Yet shalt thou sorrow when none woos thee more;
Reprobate! Woe to thee! What life remains?
Who now shall love thee? Who’ll think thee fair?
Whom now shalt ever love? Whose wilt be called?
To whom shalt kisses give? whose liplets nip?
But thou (Catullus!) destiny-doomed obdure.

> Latin: Miser Catulle, desinas ineptire,
et quod vides perisse perditum ducas.
fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles,
cum ventitabas quo puella ducebat
amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla.
ibi illa multa tum iocosa fiebant,
quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat.
fulsere vere candidi tibi soles.
nunc iam illa non vult: tu quoque, impotens, noli,
nec quae fugit sectare, nec miser vive,
sed obstinata mente perfer, obdura.
vale, puella! iam Catullus obdurat,
nec te requiret nec rogabit invitam:
at tu dolebis, cum rogaberis nulla.
scelesta, vae te! quae tibi manet vita!
quis nunc te adibit? cui videberis bella?
quem nunc amabis? cuius esse diceris?
quem basiabis? cui labella mordebis?
at tu, Catulle, destinatus obdura.

[¶8] Veranius! over every friend of me
Forestanding, owned I hundred thousands three,
Home to Penates and to single-soul’d
Brethren, returned art thou and mother old?
Yes, thou art come. Oh, winsome news come well!
Now shall I see thee, safely hear thee tell
Of sites Iberian, deeds and nations ’spied,
(As be thy wont) and neck-a-neck applied
I’ll greet with kisses thy glad lips and eyne.
Oh! Of all mortal men beatified
Whose joy and gladness greater be than mine?

> Latin: Verani, omnibus e meis amicis
antistans mihi milibus trecentis,
venistine domum ad tuos penates
fratresque unanimos anumque matrem?
venisti! o mihi nuntii beati!
visam te incolumem audiamque Hiberum
narrantem loca, facta, nationes,
ut mos est tuus, applicansque collum
iucundum os oculosque saviabor.
o, quantum est hominum beatiorum,
quid me laetius est beatiusve?

[¶9] Led me my Varus to his flame,
As I from Forum idling came.
Forthright some whorelet judged I it
Nor lacking looks nor wanting wit,
When hied we thither, mid us three
Fell various talk, as how might be
Bithynia now, and how it fared,
And if some coin I made or spared.
“There was no cause” (I soothly said)
“The Praetors or the Cohort made”
“Thence to return with oilier head;”
“The more when ruled by … ”
“Praetor, as pile the Cohort rating.”
Quoth they, “But certes as ’twas there”
“The custom rose, some men to bear”
“Litter thou boughtest?” I to her
To seem but richer, wealthier,
Cry, “Nay, with me ’twas not so ill”
“That, given the Province suffered, still”
“Eight stiff-backed loons I could not buy.”
(Withal none here nor there owned I
Who broken leg of Couch outworn
On nape of neck had ever borne!)
Then she, as pathic piece became,
“Prithee Catullus mine, those same”
“Lend me, Serapis-wards I’d hie.” …
“Easy, on no-wise, no,” quoth I,
“Whate’er was mine, I lately said”
“Is some mistake, my camarade”
“One Cinna-Gaius-bought the lot,”
“But his or mine, it matters what?”
“I use it freely as though bought,”
“Yet thou, pert troubler, most absurd,”
“None suffer’st speak an idle word.”

> Latin: Varus me meus ad suos amores
visum duxerat e foro otiosum,
scortillum, ut mihi tunc repente visum est,
non sane inlepidum neque invenustum.
huc ut venimus, incidere nobis
sermones varii, in quibus, quid esset
iam Bithynia, quo modo se haberet,
ecquonam mihi profuisset aere.
respondi id quod erat, nihil neque ipsis
nec praetoribus esse nec cohorti,
cur quisquam caput unctius referret,
praesertim quibus esset irrumator
praetor nec faceret pili cohortem.
“at certe tamen,” inquiunt, “quod illic”
“natum dicitur esse comparasti,”
“ad lecticam homines.” ego, ut puellae
unum me facerem beatiorem,
“non,” inquam, “mihi tam fuit maligne,”
“ut, provincia quod mala incidisset,”
“non possem octo homines parare rectos.”
at mi nullus erat neque hic neque illic
fractum qui veteris pedem grabati
in collo sibi conlocare posset.
hic illa, ut decuit cinaediorem,
“quaeso,” inquit, “mihi, mi Catulle, paulum”
“istos commoda: nam volo ad Sarapim”
“deferri.”“Mane,” inquii puellae,
“istud quod modo dixeram, me habere,”
“fugit me ratio: meus sodalis”
“Cinna est Gaius; is sibi paravit.”
“verum, utrum illius an mei, quid ad me?”
“utor tam bene quam mihi pararim.”
“sed tu insulsa male et molesta vivis,”
“per quam non licet esse neglegentem.”

[¶10] Furius and Aurelius, Catullus’ friends,
Whether extremest Indian shore he brave,
Strands where far-resounding billow rends
The shattered wave,
Or ’mid Hyrcanians dwell he, Arabs soft and wild,
Sacis and Parthians of the arrow fain,
Or where the Seven-mouth’d Nilus mud-defiled
Tinges the Main,
Or climb he lofty Alpine Crest and note
Works monumental, Caesar’s grandeur telling,
Rhine Gallic, horrid Ocean and remote
Britons low-dwelling;
All these (whatever shall the will design
Of Heaven-homed Gods) Oh ye prepared to tempt;
Announce your briefest to that damsel mine
In words unkempt:—
Live she and love she wenchers several,
Embrace three hundred wi’ the like requitals,
None truly loving and withal of all
Bursting the vitals:
My love regard she not, my love of yore,
Which fell through fault of her, as falls the fair
Last meadow-floret whenas passed it o’er
touch of the share.

> Latin: Furi et Aureli, comites Catulli,
sive in extremos penetrabit Indos,
litus ut longe resonante Eoa
tunditur unda,
sive in Hyrcanos Arabasve molles,
seu Sacas sagittiferosve Parthos,
sive quae septemgeminus colorat
aequora Nilus,
sive trans altas gradietur Alpes
Caesaris visens monimenta magni,
Gallicum Rhenum, horribile aequor, ulti-
mosque Britannos,
omnia haec, quaecumque feret voluntas
caelitum, temptare simul parati,
pauca nuntiate meae puellae
non bona dicta.
cum suis vivat valeatque moechis,
quos simul complexa tenet trecentos,
nullum amans vere, sed identidem omnium
ilia rumpens;
nec meum respectet, ut ante, amorem,
qui illius culpa cecidit velut prati
ultimi flos, praetereunte postquam
tactus aratro est.

[¶11] Marrúcinus Asinius! ill thou usest
That hand sinistral in thy wit and wine
Filching the napkins of more heedless hosts.
Dost find this funny? Fool it passeth thee
How ’tis a sordid deed, a sorry jest.
Dost misbelieve me? Trust to Pollio,
Thy brother, ready to compound such thefts
E’en at a talent’s cost; for he’s a youth
In speech past master and in fair pleasantries.
Of hendecasyllabics hundreds three
Therefore expect thou, or return forthright
Linens whose loss affects me not for worth
But as mementoes of a comrade mine.
For napkins Saetaban from Ebro-land
Fabúllus ent me a free giftie given
Also Veránius: these perforce I love
E’en as my Veraniólus and Fabúllus.

> Latin: Marrucine Asini, manu sinistra
non belle uteris in ioco atque vino:
tollis lintea neglegentiorum.
hoc salsum esse putas? fugit te, inepte!
quamvis sordida res et invenusta est
non credis mihi?crede Pollioni
fratri, qui tua furta vel talento
mutari velit; est enim leporum
disertus puer ac facetiarum.
quare aut hendecasyllabos trecentos
exspecta, aut mihi linteum remitte,
quod me non movet aestimatione,
verum est mnemosynum mei sodalis.
nam sudaria Saetaba ex Hiberis
miserunt mihi muneri Fabullus
et Veranius: haec amem necesse est
et Veraniolum meum et Fabullum.

[¶12] Thou’lt sup right well with me, Fabúllus mine,
In days few-numbered an the Gods design,
An great and goodly meal thou bring wi’ thee
Nowise forgetting damsel bright o’ blee,
With wine, and salty wit and laughs all-gay.
An these my bonny man, thou bring, I say
Thou’lt sup right well, for thy Catullus’ purse
Save web of spider nothing does imburse.
But thou in countergift more loves shalt take
Or aught of sweeter taste or fairer make:
I’ll give thee unguent lent my girl to scent
By every Venus and all Cupids sent,
Which, as thou savour, pray Gods interpose
And thee, Fabúllus, make a Naught-but-nose.

> Latin: Cenabis bene, mi Fabulle, apud me
paucis, si tibi di favent, diebus,
si tecum attuleris bonam atque magnam
cenam, non sine candida puella
et vino et sale et omnibus cachinnis.
haec si, inquam, attuleris, venuste noster
cenabis bene; nam tui Catulli
plenus sacculus est aranearum.
sed contra accipies meros amores
seu quid suavius elegantiusve est:
nam unguentum dabo, quod meae puellae
donarunt Veneres Cupidinesque,
quod tu cum olfacies, deos rogabis
totum ut te faciant, Fabulle, nasum.

[¶13] Did I not liefer love thee than my eyes
(Winsomest Calvus!), for that gift of thine
Certès I’d hate thee with Vatinian hate.
Say me, how came I, or by word or deed,
To cause thee plague me with so many a bard?
The Gods deal many an ill to such a client,
Who sent of impious wights to thee such crowd.
But if (as guess I) this choice boon new-found
To thee from “Commentator” Sulla come,
None ill I hold it—well and welcome ’tis,
For that thy labours ne’er to death be doom’d.
Great Gods! What horrid booklet damnable
Unto thine own Catullus thou (perdie!)
Did send, that ever day by day die he
In Saturnalia, first of festivals.
No! No! thus shall’t not pass wi’ thee, sweet wag,
For I at dawning day will scour the booths
Of bibliopoles, Aquinii, Caesii and
Suffenus, gather all their poison-trash
And with such torments pay thee for thy pains.
Now for the present hence, adieu! begone
Thither, whence came ye, brought by luckless feet,
Pests of the Century, ye pernicious Poets.

> Latin: Ni te plus oculis meis amarem,
iucundissime Calve, munere isto
odissem te odio Vatiniano:
nam quid feci ego quidve sum locutus,
cur me tot male perderes poetis?
isti di mala multa dent clienti
qui tantum tibi misit impiorum.
quod si, ut suspicor, hoc novum ac repertum
munus dat tibi Sulla litterator,
non est mi male, sed bene ac beate,
quod non dispereunt tui labores.
di magni, horribilem et sacrum libellum,
quem tu scilicet ad tuum Catullum
misti, continuo ut die periret,
Saturnalibus, optimo dierum!
non, non hoc tibi, false, sic abibit:
nam, si luxerit, ad librariorum
curram scrinia, Caesios, Aquinos,
Suffenum, omnia colligam venena,
ac te his suppliciis remunerabor.
vos hinc interea valete, abite
illuc unde malum pedem attulistis,
saecli incommoda, pessimi poetae.

[¶14] An of my trifles peradventure chance
You to be readers, and the hands of you
Without a shudder unto us be offer’d
…

> Latin: Si qui forte mearum ineptiarum
lectores eritis manusque vestras
non horrebitis admovere nobis,
…

[¶15] To thee I trust my loves and me,
(Aurelius!) craving modesty.
That (if in mind didst ever long
To win aught chaste unknowing wrong)
Then guard my boy in purest way.
From folk I say not: naught affray
The crowds wont here and there to run
Through street-squares, busied every one;
But thee I dread nor less thy penis
Fair or foul, younglings’ foe I ween is!
Wag it as wish thou, at its will,
When out of doors its hope fulfil;
Him bar I, modestly, methinks.
But should ill-mind or lust’s high jinks
Thee (Sinner!), drive to sin so dread,
That durst ensnare our dearling’s head,
Ah! woe’s thee (wretch!) and evil fate,
Mullet and radish shall pierce and grate,
When feet-bound, haled through yawning gate.

> Latin: Commendo tibi me ac meos amores,
Aureli. Veniam peto pudentem,
ut, si quicquam animo tuo cupisti
quod castum expeteres et integellum,
conserves puerum mihi pudice,
non dico a populo: nihil veremur
istos qui in platea modo huc modo illuc
in re praetereunt sua occupati;
verum a te metuo tuoque pene
infesto pueris bonis malisque.
quem tu qua libet, ut libet moveto
quantum vis, ubi erit foris paratum:
hunc unum excipio, ut puto, pudenter.
quod si te mala mens furorque vecors
in tantam impulerit, sceleste, culpam,
ut nostrum insidiis caput lacessas,
ah tum te miserum malique fati,
quem attractis pedibus patente porta
percurrent raphanique mugilesque.

[¶16] I’ll … you twain and …
Pathic Aurelius! Fúrius, libertines!
Who durst determine from my versicles
Which seem o’er softy, that I’m scant of shame.
For pious poet it behoves be chaste
Himself; no chastity his verses need;
Nay, gain they finally more salt of wit
When over softy and of scanty shame,
Apt for exciting somewhat prurient,
In boys, I say not, but in bearded men
Who fail of movements in their hardened loins.
Ye who so many thousand kisses sung
Have read, deny male masculant I be?
You twain I’ll … and …

> Latin: Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo,
Aureli pathice et cinaede Furi,
qui me ex versiculis meis putastis,
quod sunt molliculi, parum pudicum.
nam castum esse decet pium poetam
ipsum, versiculos nihil necesse est,
qui tum denique habent salem ac leporem,
si sunt molliculi ac parum pudici
et quod pruriat incitare possunt,
non dico pueris, sed his pilosis,
qui duros nequeunt movere lumbos.
vos quod milia multa basiorum
legistis, male me marem putatis?
pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo.

[¶17] Colony! fain to display thy games on length of thy town-bridge!
There, too, ready to dance, though fearing the shaking of crazy
Logs of the Bridgelet propt on pier-piles newly renewèd,
Lest supine all sink deep-merged in the marish’s hollow,
So may the bridge hold good when builded after thy pleasure
Where Salisúbulus’ rites with solemn function are sacred,
As thou (Colony!) grant me boon of mightiest laughter.
Certain a townsman mine I’d lief see thrown from thy gangway
Hurlèd head over heels precipitous whelmed in the quagmire,
Where the lake and the boglands are most rotten and stinking,
Deepest and lividest lie, the swallow of hollow voracious.
Witless surely the wight whose sense is less than of boy-babe
Two-year-old and a-sleep on trembling forearm of father.
He though, wedded to girl in greenest bloom of her youth-tide,
(Bride-wife daintier bred than ever was delicate kidlet,
Worthier diligent watch than grape-bunch blackest and ripest)
Suffers her sport as she please nor rates her even at hair’s worth,
Nowise ’stirring himself, but lying log-like as alder
Felled and o’er floating the fosse of safe Ligurian woodsman,
Feeling withal, as though such spouse he never had own’d;
So this marvel o’ mine sees naught, and nothing can hear he,
What he himself, an he be or not be, wholly unknowing.
Now would I willingly pitch such wight head first fro’ thy bridge,
Better a-sudden t’arouse that numskull’s stolid old senses,
Or in the sluggish mud his soul supine to deposit
Even as she-mule casts iron shoe where quagmire is stiffest.
This grove to thee devote I give, Priapus!
Who home be Lampsacus and holt, Priapus!
For thee in cities worship most the shores
Of Hellespont the richest oystery strand.
This place, O youths, I protect, nor less this turfbuilded cottage,
Roofed with its osier-twigs and thatched with its bundles of sedges;
I from the dried oak hewn and fashioned with rustical hatchet,
Guarding them year by year while more are they evermore thriving.
For here be owners twain who greet and worship my Godship,
He of the poor hut lord and his son, the pair of them peasants:
This with assiduous toil aye works the thicketty herbage
And the coarse water-grass to clear afar from my chapel:
That with his open hand ever brings me offerings humble.
Hung up in honour mine are flowery firstlings of spring-tide,
Wreaths with their ears still soft the tender stalklets a-crowning;
Violets pale are mine by side of the poppy-head pallid;
With the dull yellow gourd and apples sweetest of savour;
Lastly the blushing grape disposed in shade of the vine-tree.
Anon mine altar (this same) with blood (but you will be silent!)
Bearded kid and anon some horny-hoofed nanny shall sprinkle.
Wherefore Priapus is bound to requite such honours by service,
Doing his duty to guard both vineyard and garth of his lordling.
Here then, O lads, refrain from ill-mannered picking and stealing:
Rich be the neighbour-hind and negligent eke his Priapus:
Take what be his: this path hence leadeth straight to his ownings.
I thuswise fashionèd by rustic art
And from dried poplar-trunk (O traveller!) hewn,
This fieldlet, leftwards as thy glances fall,
And my lord’s cottage with his pauper garth
Protect, repelling thieves’ rapacious hands.
In spring with vari-coloured wreaths I’m crown’d,
In fervid summer with the glowing grain,
Then with green vine-shoot and the luscious bunch,
And glaucous olive-tree in bitter cold.
The dainty she-goat from my pasture bears
Her milk-distended udders to the town:
Out of my sheep-cotes ta’en the fatted lamb
Sends home with silver right-hand heavily charged;
And, while its mother lows, the tender calf
Before the temples of the Gods must bleed.
Hence of such Godhead, (traveller!) stand in awe,
Best it befits thee off to keep thy hands.
Thy cross is ready, shaped as artless yard;
“I’m willing,’faith” (thou say’st) but ’faith here comes
The boor, and plucking forth with bended arm
Makes of this tool a club for doughty hand.
Aurelius, father of the famisht crew,
Not sole of starvelings now, but wretches who
Were, are, or shall be in the years to come,
My love, my dearling, fain art thou to strum.
Nor privately; for nigh thou com’st and jestest
And to his side close-sticking all things questest.’Tis vain: while lay’st thou snares for me the worst,
By … I will teach thee first.
An food-full thus do thou, my peace I’d keep:
But what (ah me! ah me!) compels me weep
Are thirst and famine to my dearling fated.
Cease thou so doing while as modest rated,
Lest to thy will thou win—but …
Varus, yon wight Suffenus known to thee
Fairly for wit, free talk, urbanity,
The same who scribbles verse in amplest store—
Methinks he fathers thousands ten or more
Indited not as wont on palimpsest,
But paper-royal, brand-new boards, and best
Fresh bosses, crimson ribbands, sheets with lead
Ruled, and with pumice-powder all well polished.
These as thou readest, seem that fine, urbane
Suffenus, goat-herd mere, or ditcher-swain
Once more, such horrid change is there, so vile.
What must we wot thereof? a Droll erst while,
Or (if aught) cleverer, he with converse meets,
He now in dullness, dullest villain beats
Forthright on handling verse, nor is the wight
Ever so happy as when verse he write:
So self admires he with so full delight.
In sooth, we all thus err, nor man there be
But in some matter a Suffenus see
Thou canst: his lache allotted none shall lack
Yet spy we nothing of our back-borne pack.

> Latin: O Colonia, quae cupis ponte ludere longo,
et salire paratum habes, sed vereris inepta
crura ponticuli assulis stantis in redivivis,
ne supinus eat cavaque in palude recumbat,
sic tibi bonus ex tua pons libidine fiat,
in quo vel Salisubsili sacra suscipiantur,
munus hoc mihi maximi da, Colonia, risus.
quendam municipem meum de tuo volo ponte
ire praecipitem in lutum per caputque pedesque,
verum totius ut lacus putidaeque paludis
lividissima maximeque est profunda vorago.
insulsissimus est homo, nec sapit pueri instar
bimuli tremula patris dormientis in ulna:
cui cum sit viridissimo nupta flore puella
(et puella tenellulo delicatior haedo,
adservanda nigerrimis diligentius uvis),
ludere hanc sinit ut libet, nec pili facit uni,
nec se sublevat ex sua parte, sed velut alnus
in fossa Liguri iacet suppernata securi,
tantundem omnia sentiens quam si nulla sit usquam
talis iste meus stupor nil videt, nihil audit,
ipse qui sit, utrum sit an non sit, id quoque nescit.
nunc eum volo de tuo ponte mittere pronum,
si pote stolidum repente excitare veternum
et supinum animum in gravi derelinquere caeno,
ferream ut soleam tenaci in voragine mula.
Aureli, pater esuritionum,
non harum modo, sed quot aut fuerunt
aut sunt aut aliis erunt in annis,
pedicare cupis meos amores.
nec clam: nam simul es, iocaris una,
haerens ad latus omnia experiris.
frustra: nam insidias mihi instruentem
tangam te prior irrumatione.
atque id si faceres satur, tacerem:
nunc ipsum id doleo, quod esurire,
ah me me, puer et sitire discet.
quare desine, dum licet pudico,
ne finem facias, sed irrumatus.
Suffenus iste, Vare, quem probe nosti,
homo est venustus et dicax et urbanus,
idemque longe plurimos facit versus.
puto esse ego illi milia aut decem aut plura
perscripta, nec sic, ut fit, in palimpsesto
relata: chartae regiae, novi libri,
novi umbilici, lora, rubra membrana,
derecta plumbo et pumice omnia aequata.
haec cum legas tu, bellus ille et urbanus
Suffenus unus caprimulgus aut fossor
rursus videtur: tantum abhorret ac mutat.
hoc quid putemus esse? Qui modo scurra
aut si quid hac re tritius videbatur,
idem infaceto est infacetior rure
simul poemata attigit, neque idem unquam
aeque est beatus ac poema cum scribit:
tam gaudet in se tamque se ipse miratur.
nimirum idem omnes fallimur, neque est quisquam
quem non in aliqua re videre Suffenum
possis. Suus cuique attributus est error,
sed non videmus manticae quod in tergo est.

[¶18] Furius! Nor chest, nor slaves can claim,
Bug, Spider, nor e’e n hearth aflame,
Yet thine a sire and step-dame who
Wi’ tooth can ever flint-food chew!
So thou, and pleasant happy life
Lead wi’ thy parents wooden wife.
Nor be this marvel: hale are all,
Well ye digest; no fears appal
For household-arsons, heavy ruin,
Plunderings impious, poison-brewin’
Or other parlous case forlorn.
Your frames are hard and dried like horn,
Or if more arid aught ye know
By suns and frosts and hunger-throe.
Then why not happy as thou’rt hale?
Sweat’s strange to thee, spit fails, and fail
Phlegm and foul snivel from the nose.
Add cleanness that aye cleanlier shows
A bum than salt-pot cleanlier,
Nor ten times cack’st in total year,
And harder ’tis than pebble or bean
Which rubbed in hand or crumbled, e’en
On finger ne’er shall make unclean.
Such blessings (Furius!) such a prize
Never belittle nor despise;
Hundred sesterces seek no more
With wonted prayer—enow’s thy store!

> Latin: Furi, cui neque servus est neque arca
nec cimex neque araneus neque ignis,
verum est et pater et noverca, quorum
dentes vel silicem comesse possunt,
est pulchre tibi cum tuo parente
et cum coniuge lignea parentis.
nec mirum: bene nam valetis omnes,
pulchre concoquitis, nihil timetis,
non incendia, non graves ruinas,
non furta impia, non dolos veneni,
non casus alios periculorum.
atqui corpora sicciora cornu
aut si quid magis aridum est habetis
sole et frigore et esuritione.
quare non tibi sit bene ac beate?
a te sudor abest, abest saliva,
mucusque et mala pituita nasi.
hanc ad munditiem adde mundiorem,
quod culus tibi purior salillo est,
nec toto decies cacas in anno;
atque id durius est faba et lapillis,
quod tu si manibus teras fricesque,
non unquam digitum inquinare possis.
haec tu commoda tam beata, Furi,
noli spernere nec putare parvi,
et sestertia quae soles precari
centum desine: nam satis beatu's.

[¶19] O of Juventian youths the flowret fair
Not of these only, but of all that were
Or shall be, coming in the coming years,
Better waste Midas’ wealth (to me appears)
On him that owns nor slave nor money-chest
Than thou shouldst suffer by his love possest.
“What! is he vile or not fair?”“Yes!” I attest,
“Yet owns this man so comely neither slaves nor chest”
“My words disdain thou or accept at best”
“Yet neither slave he owns nor money-chest.”

> Latin: O qui flosculus es Iuventiorum,
non horum modo, sed quot aut fuerunt
aut posthac aliis erunt in annis,
mallem divitias Midae dedisses
isti cui neque servus est neque arca,
quam sic te sineres ab illo amari.
“quid? Non est homo bellus?” inquies. est:
sed bello huic neque servus est neque arca.
hoc tu quam libet abice elevaque:
nec servum tamen ille habet neque arcam.

[¶20] Thou bardache Thallus! more than Coney’s robe
Soft, or goose-marrow or ear’s lowmost lobe,
Or Age’s languid yard and cobweb’d part,
Same Thallus greedier than the gale thou art,
When the Kite-goddess shows thee Gulls agape,
Return my muffler thou hast dared to rape,
Saetaban napkins, tablets of Thynos, all
Which (Fool!) ancestral heirlooms thou didst call.
These now unglueing from thy claws restore,
Lest thy soft hands, and floss-like flanklets score
The burning scourges, basely signed and lined,
And thou unwonted toss like wee barque tyned
’Mid vasty Ocean vexed by madding wind!

> Latin: Cinaede Thalle, mollior cuniculi capillo
vel anseris medullula vel imula auricilla
vel pene languido senis situque araneoso,
idemque Thalle turbida rapacior procella,
cum † diva mulier aries ostendit oscitantes,
remitte pallium mihi meum quod involasti
sudariumque Saetabum catagraphosque Thynos,
inepte, quae palam soles habere tanquam avita.
quae nunc tuis ab unguibus reglutina et remitte,
ne laneum latusculum manusque mollicellas
inusta turpiter tibi flagella conscribillent,
et insolenter aestues velut minuta magno
deprensa navis in mari vesaniente vento.

[¶21] Furius! our Villa never Austral force
Broke, neither set thereon Favonius’ course,
Nor savage Boreas, nor Epeliot’s strain,
But fifteen thousand crowns and hundreds twain
Wreckt it, —Oh ruinous by-wind, breezy bane!

> Latin: Furi, villula vestra non ad Austri
flatus opposita est neque ad Favoni
nec saevi Boreae aut Apeliotae,
verum ad milia quindecim et ducentos.
o ventum horribilem atque pestilentem!

[¶22] Thou youngling drawer of Falernian old
Crown me the goblets with a bitterer wine
As was Postumia’s law that rules the feast
Than ebriate grape-stone more inebriate.
But ye fare whither please ye (water-nymphs!)
To wine pernicious, and to sober folk
Migrate ye: mere Thyonian juice be here!

> Latin: Minister vetuli puer Falerni
inger mi calices amariores,
ut lex Postumiae iubet magistrae,
ebrioso acino ebriosioris.
at vos quo libet hinc abite, lymphae,
vini pernicies, et ad severos
migrate: hic merus est Thyonianus.

[¶23] Followers of Piso, empty band
With your light budgets packt to hand,
Veránius best! Fabúllus mine!
What do ye? Bore ye enough, in fine
Of frost and famine with yon sot?
What loss or gain have haply got
Your tablets? so, whenas I ranged
With Praetor, gains for loss were changed.
“O Memmius! thou did’st long and late”
“… me supine slow and … ”
But (truly see I) in such case
Diddled you were by wight as base
Sans mercy. Noble friends go claim!
Now god and goddess give you grame
Disgrace of Romulus! Remus’ shame!

> Latin: Pisonis comites, cohors inanis
aptis sarcinulis et expeditis,
Verani optime tuque mi Fabulle,
quid rerum geritis? Satisne cum isto
vappa frigoraque et famem tulistis?
ecquidnam in tabulis patet lucelli
expensum, ut mihi, qui meum secutus
praetorem refero datum lucello,
“o Memmi, bene me ac diu supinum”
“tota ista trabe lentus irrumasti.”
sed, quantum video, pari fuistis
casu: nam nihilo minore verpa
farti estis. pete nobiles amicos.
at vobis mala multa di deaeque
dent, opprobria Romuli Remique.

[¶24] Who e’er could witness this (who could endure
Except the lewdling, dicer, greedy-gut)
That should Mamurra get what hairy Gaul
And all that farthest Britons held whilòme?
(Thou bardache Romulus!) this wilt see and bear?
Then art a lewdling, dicer, greedy-gut!
He now superb with pride superfluous
Shall go perambulate the bedrooms all
Like white-robed dovelet or Adonis-love.
Romulus thou bardache! this wilt see and bear?
Then art a lewdling, dicer, greedy-gut!
Is’t for such like name, sole Emperor thou!
Thou soughtest extreme Occidental Isle?
That this your … Mentula
Millions and Milliards might at will absorb?
What is’t but Liberality misplaced?
What trifles wasted he, small heirlooms spent?
First his paternal goods were clean dispersed;
Second went Pontus’ spoils and for the third,—
Ebro-land,—weets it well gold-rolling Tage.
Fear him the Gallias? Him the Britons’ fear?
Why cherish this ill-wight? what ’vails he do?
Save fat paternal heritage devour?
Lost ye for such a name, o puissant pair
(Father and Son-in-law), our all-in-all?

> Latin: Quis hoc potest videre, quis potest pati,
nisi impudicus et vorax et aleo,
Mamurram habere quod comata Gallia
habebat ante et ultima Britannia?
Cinaede Romule, haec videbis et feres?
et ille nunc superbus et superfluens
perambulabit omnium cubilia
ut albulus columbus aut Adoneus?
cinaede Romule, haec videbis et feres?
es impudicus et vorax et aleo.
eone nomine, imperator unice,
fuisti in ultima occidentis insula,
ut ista vestra diffututa mentula
ducenties comesset aut trecenties?
quid est alid sinistra liberalitas?
parum expatravit an parum elluatus est?
paterna prima lancinata sunt bona;
secunda praeda Pontica; inde tertia
Hibera, quam scit amnis aurifer Tagus.
nunc Galliae timetur et Britanniae.
quid hunc malum fovetis? aut quid hic potest
nisi uncta devorare patrimonia?
eone nomine † urbis opulentissime
socer generque, perdidistis omnia?

[¶25] Alfénus! short of memory, false to comrades dearest-dear,
Now hast no pity (hardened Soul!) for friend and loving fere?
Now to betray me, now to guile. thou (traitor!) ne’er dost pause?
Yet impious feats of fraudful men ne’er force the Gods’ applause:
When heed’st thou not deserting me (Sad me!) in sorest scathe,
Ah say whate’er shall humans do? in whom shall man show faith?
For sure thou bad’st me safely yield my spirit (wretch!) to thee,
Lulling my love as though my life were all security.
The same now dost withdraw thyself and every word and deed
Thou suffer’st winds and airy clouds to sweep fromout thy head.
But an forget thou, mindful be the Gods, and Faith in mind
Bears thee, and soon shall gar thee rue the deeds by thee design’d.

> Latin: Alfene immemor atque unanimis false sodalibus,
iam te nil miseret, dure, tui dulcis amiculi?
iam me prodere, iam non dubitas fallere, perfide?
nec facta impia fallacum hominum caelicolis placent;
quae tu neglegis, ac me miserum deseris in malis.
eheu, quid faciant, dic, homines, cuive habeant fidem?
certe tute iubebas animam tradere, inique, me
inducens in amorem, quasi tuta omnia mi forent.
idem nunc retrahis te ac tua dicta omnia factaque
ventos irrita ferre ac nebulas aerias sinis.
si tu oblitus es, at di meminerunt, meminit Fides,
quae te ut paeniteat postmodo facti faciet tui.

[¶26] Sirmio! of Islands and Peninsulas
Eyelet, and whatsoe’er in limpid meres
And vasty Ocean either Neptune owns,
Thy scenes how willing-glad once more I see,
At pain believing Thynia and the Fields
Bithynian left, I’m safe to sight thy Site.
Oh what more blessèd be than cares resolved,
When mind casts burthen and by peregrine
Work over wearied, lief we hie us home
To lie reposing in the longed-for bed!
This be the single meed for toils so triste.
Hail, O fair Sirmio, in thy lord rejoice:
And ye, O’ waves of Lybian Lake be glad,
And laugh what laughter pealeth in my home.

> Latin: Paene insularum, Sirmio, insularumque
ocelle, quascumque in liquentibus stagnis
marique vasto fert uterque Neptunus,
quam te libenter quamque laetus inviso,
vix mi ipse credens Thyniam atque Bithynos
liquisse campos et videre te in tuto!
o quid solutis est beatius curis,
cum mens onus reponit, ac peregrino
labore fessi venimus larem ad nostrum
desideratoque adquiescimus lecto?
hoc est quod unum est pro laboribus tantis.
salve, o venusta Sirmio, atque ero gaude;
gaudete vosque, o Lydiae lacus undae;
ridete, quidquid est domi cachinnorum.

[¶27] ILL love my Ipsithilla sweetest,
My desires and my Wit the meetest,
So bid me join thy nap o’ noon!
Then (after bidding) add the boon
Undraw thy threshold-bolt none dare,
Lest thou be led afar to fare;
Nay bide at home, for us prepare
Nine-fold continuous love-delights.
But aught do thou to hurry things,
For dinner-full I lie aback,
And gown and tunic through I crack.

> Latin: Amabo, mea dulcis Ipsithilla,
meae deliciae, mei lepores,
iube ad te veniam meridiatum.
et si iusseris illud, adiuvato,
ne quis liminis obseret tabellam,
neu tibi libeat foras abire;
sed domi maneas paresque nobis
novem continuas fututiones.
verum, si quid ages, statim iubeto:
nam pransus iaceo et satur supinus
pertundo tunicamque palliumque.

[¶28] OH, best of robbers who in Baths delight,
Vibennius, sire and son, the Ingle hight,
(For that the father’s hand be fouler one
And with his anus greedier is the Son)
Why not to banishment and evil hours
Haste ye, when all the parent’s plundering powers
Are public knowledge, nor canst gain a Cent
Son! by the vending of thy pilèd vent.

> Latin: O furum optime balneariorum
Vibenni pater, et cinaede fili,
(nam dextra pater inquinatiore,
culo filius est voraciore)
cur non exsilium malasque in oras
itis, quandoquidem patris rapinae
notae sunt populo, et natis pilosas,
fili, non potes asse venditare?

[¶29] Diana’s faith inbred we bear
Youths whole of heart and maidens fair,
Let boys no blemishes impair,
And girls of Dian sing!
O great Latonian progeny,
Of greatest Jove descendancy,
Whom mother bare ’neath olive-tree,
Deep in the Delian dell;
That of the mountains reign thou Queen
And forest ranges ever green,
And coppices by man unseen,
And rivers resonant.
Thou art Lucína, Juno hight
By mothers lien in painful plight,
Thou puissant Trivia and the Light
Bastard, yclept the Lune.
Thou goddess with thy monthly stage,
The yearly march doth mete and guage
An d rustic peasant’s messuage,
Dost brim with best o’ crops,
Be hailed by whatso name of grace,
Please thee and olden Romulus’ race,
Thy wonted favour deign embrace,
And save with choicest aid.

> Latin: Dianae sumus in fide
puellae et pueri integri;
Dianam pueri integri
puellaeque canamus.
O Latonia, maximi
magna progenies Iovis,
quam mater prope Deliam
deposivit olivam,
montium domina ut fores
silvarumque virentium
saltuumque reconditorum
amniumque sonantum;
tu Lucina dolentibus
Iuno dicta puerperis,
tu potens Trivia et notho es
dicta lumine Luna.
tu cursu, dea, menstruo
metiens iter annuum
rustica agricolae bonis
tecta frugibus exples.
sis quocumque tibi placet
sancta nomine, Romulique,
antique ut solita es, bona
sospites ope gentem.

[¶30] Now to that tender bard, my Comrade fair,
(Cecilius) say I, “Paper go, declare,”
“Verona must we make and bid to New”
“Comum’s town-walls and Larian Shores adieu;”
For I determined certain fancies he
Accept from mutual friend to him and me.
Wherefore he will, if wise, devour the way,
Though the blonde damsel thousand times essay
Recall his going and with arms a-neck
A-winding would e’er seek his course to check;
A girl who (if the truth be truly told)
Dies of a hopeless passion uncontroul’d;
For since the doings of the Díndymus-dame,
By himself storied, she hath read, a flame
Wasting her inmost marrow-core hath burned.
I pardon thee, than Sapphic Muse more learn’d,
Damsel: for truly sung in sweetest lays
Was by Cecilius Magna Mater’s praise.

> Latin: Poetae tenero, meo sodali
velim Caecilio, papyre, dicas,
Veronam veniat, Novi relinquens
Comi moenia Lariumque litus:
nam quasdam volo cogitationes
amici accipiat sui meique.
quare, si sapiet, viam vorabit,
quamvis candida milies puella
euntem revocet manusque collo
ambas iniciens roget morari,
quae nunc, si mihi vera nuntiantur,
illum deperit impotente amore:
nam quo tempore legit incohatam
Dindymi dominam, ex eo misellae
ignes interiorem edunt medullam.
ignosco tibi, Sapphica puella
Musa doctior: est enim venuste
Magna Caecilio incohata Mater.

[¶31] Volusius’ Annals, paper scum-bewrayed!
Fulfil that promise erst my damsel made;
Who vowed to Holy Venus and her son,
Cupid, should I return to her anon
And cease to brandish iamb-lines accurst,
The writ selected erst of bards the worst
She to the limping Godhead would devote
With slowly-burning wood of illest note.
This was the vilest which my girl could find
With vow facetious to the Gods assigned.
Now, O Creation of the azure sea,
Holy Idalium, Urian havenry
Haunting, Ancona, Cnidos’ reedy site,
Amathus, Golgos, and the tavern hight
Durrachium-thine Adrian abode—
The vow accepting, recognize the vowed
As not unworthy and unhandsome naught.
But do ye meanwhile to the fire be brought,
That teem with boorish jest of sorry blade,
Volusius’ Annals, paper scum-bewrayed.

> Latin: Annales Volusi, cacata charta,
votum solvite pro mea puella:
nam sanctae Veneri Cupidinique
vovit, si sibi restitutus essem
desissemque truces vibrare iambos,
electissima pessimi poetae
scripta tardipedi deo daturam
infelicibus ustilanda lignis.
et hoc pessima se puella vidit
iocose lepide vovere divis.
nunc, o caeruleo creata ponto,
quae sanctum Idalium Uriosque apertos,
quaeque Ancona Cnidumque harundinosam
colis, quaeque Amathunta, quaeque Golgos,
quaeque Durrachium Hadriae tabernam,
acceptum face redditumque votum,
si non inlepidum neque invenustum est.
at vos interea venite in ignem,
pleni ruris et inficetiarum
Annales Volusi, cacata charta.

[¶32] Salacious Tavern and ye taverner-host,
From Pileate Brothers the ninth pile-post,
D’ye claim, you only of the, mentule boast,
D’ye claim alone what damsels be the best
To swive: as he-goats holding all the rest?
Is’t when like boobies sit ye incontinent here,
One or two hundred, deem ye that I fear
Two hundred … at one brunt?
Ay, think so, natheless all your tavern-front
With many a scorpion I will over-write.
For that my damsel, fro’ my breast took flight,
By me so lovèd, as shall loved be none,
Wherefor so mighty wars were waged and won,
Does sit in public here. Ye fain, rich wights,
All woo her: thither too (the chief of slights!)
All pitiful knaves and by-street wenchers fare,
And thou, (than any worse), with hanging hair,
In coney-breeding Celtiberia bred,
Egnatius! bonnified by beard full-fed,
And teeth with Spanish urine polishèd.

> Latin: Salax taberna vosque contubernales,
a pilleatis nona fratribus pila,
solis putatis esse mentulas vobis,
solis licere quidquid est puellarum
confutuere et putare ceteros hircos?
an, continenter quod sedetis insulsi
centum an ducenti, non putatis ausurum
me una ducentos irrumare sessores?
atqui putate: namque totius vobis
frontem tabernae sopionibus scribam.
puella nam mi, quae meo sinu fugit,
amata tantum quantum amabitur nulla,
pro qua mihi sunt magna bella pugnata,
consedit istic. hanc boni beatique
omnes amatis, et quidem, quod indignum est,
omnes pusilli et semitarii moechi:
tu praeter omnes une de capillatis,
cuniculosae Celtiberiae fili,
Egnati, opaca quem bonum facit barba
et dens Hibera defricatus urina.

[¶33] Cornificius!’Tis ill with thy Catullus,’Tis ill (by Hercules) distressfully:
Iller and iller every day and hour.
Whose soul (as smallest boon and easiest)
With what of comfort hast thou deign’d console?
Wi’ thee I’m angered! Dost so prize my love?
Yet some consoling utterance had been well
Though sadder ’twere than Simonídean tears.

> Latin: Male est, Cornifici, tuo Catullo,
male est me hercule ei et laboriose,
et magis magis in dies et horas.
quem tu, quod minimum facillimumque est,
qua solatus es adlocutione?
irascor tibi.sic meos amores?
paulum quid libet adlocutionis,
maestius lacrimis Simonideis.

[¶34] Egnatius for that owns he teeth snow-white,
Grins ever, everywhere. When placed a wight
In dock, when pleader would draw tears, the while
He grins. When pious son at funeral pile
Mourns, or lone mother sobs for sole lost son,
He grins. Whate’er, whene’er, howe’er is done,
Of deed he grins. Such be his malady,
Nor kind, nor courteous-so beseemeth me—
Then take thou good Egnatius, rede of mine!
Wert Thou Corrupt Sabine Or A Tiburtine,
Stuffed Umbrian or Tuscan overgrown
Swarthy Lanuvian with his teeth-rows shown,
Transpadan also, that mine own I touch,
Or any washing teeth to shine o’er much,
Yet thy incessant grin I would not see,
For naught than laughter silly sillier be.
Thou Celtiber art, in Celtiberia born,
Where man who’s urined therewith loves a-morn
His teeth and ruddy gums to scour and score;
So the more polisht are your teeth, the more
Argue they sipping stale in ampler store.

> Latin: Egnatius, quod candidos habet dentes,
renidet usque quaque.si ad rei ventum est
subsellium, cum orator excitat fletum,
renidet ille. si ad pii rogum fili
lugetur, orba cum flet unicum mater,
renidet ille.quidquid est, ubicumque est,
quodcumque agit, renidet.hunc habet morbum
neque elegantem, ut arbitror, neque urbanum.
quare monendum est te mihi, bone Egnati.
si urbanus esses aut Sabinus aut Tiburs
aut parcus Umber aut obesus Etruscus
aut Lanuvinus ater atque dentatus
aut Transpadanus, ut meos quoque attingam,
aut qui libet qui puriter lavit dentes,
tamen renidere usque quaque te nollem;
nam risu inepto res ineptior nulla est.
nunc Celtiber es: Celtiberia in terra,
quod quisque minxit, hoc sibi solet mane
dentem atque russam defricare gingivam,
ut quo iste vester expolitior dens est,
hoc te amplius bibisse praedicet loti.

[¶35] What thought of folly Rávidus (poor churl!)
Upon my iambs thus would headlong hurl?
What good or cunning counsellor would fain
Urge thee to struggle in such strife insane?
Is’t that the vulgar mouth thy name by rote?
What will’st thou? Wishest on any wise such note?
Then shalt be noted since my love so lief
For love thou sued’st to thy lasting grief.

> Latin: Quaenam te mala mens, miselle Ravide,
agit praecipitem in meos iambos?
quis deus tibi non bene advocatus
vecordem parat excitare rixam?
an ut pervenias in ora vulgi?
quid vis? qua libet esse notus optas?
eris, quandoquidem meos amores
cum longa voluisti amare poena.

[¶36] That Ametina, worn-out whore,
Me for a myriad oft would bore,
That strumpet of th’ ignoble nose,
To leman, rakehell Formian chose.
An ye would guard her (kinsmen folk)
Your friends and leaches d’ye convoke:
The girl’s not sound-sens’d; ask ye naught
Of her complaint: she’s love-distraught.

> Latin: Ameana puella defututa
tota milia me decem poposcit,
ista turpiculo puella naso,
decoctoris amica Formiani.
propinqui, quibus est puella curae,
amicos medicosque convocate:
non est sana puella, nec rogare
qualis sit solet aes imaginosum.

## 2. Poems 42–64

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/2/#p-N

[¶0] Come, Hendecasyllabics, many as may
All hither, every one that of you be!
That fulsome harlot makes me laughing-stock
And she refuses at our prayer restore
Our stolen Note-books, an such slights ye bear.
Let us pursue her clamouring our demands.
“Who’s she?” ye question: yonder one ye sight
Mincingly pacing mime-like, perfect pest,
With jaws wide grinning like a Gallic pup.
Stand all round her dunning with demands,
“Return (O rotten whore!) our noting books.”
“Our noting books (O rotten whore!) return!”
No doit thou car’st? O Mire! O Stuff O’ stews!
Or if aught fouler filthier dirt there be.
Yet must we never think these words suffice.
But if naught else avail, at least a blush
Forth of that bitch-like brazen brow we’ll squeeze.
Cry all together in a higher key
“Restore (O rotten whore!) our noting books,”
“Our noting books (O rotten whore!) restore!”
Still naught avails us, nothing is she moved.
Now must our measures and our modes be changed
An we would anywise our cause advance.
“Restore (chaste, honest Maid!) our noting books!”

> Latin: Adeste, hendecasyllabi, quot estis
omnes undique, quotquot estis omnes.
iocum me putat esse moecha turpis
et negat mihi vestra reddituram
pugillaria, si pati potestis.
persequamur eam, et reflagitemus.
quae sit quaeritis? illa quam videtis
turpe incedere, mimice ac moleste
ridentem catuli ore Gallicani.
circumsistite eam, et reflagitate:
“moecha putida, redde codicillos,”
“redde, putida moecha, codicillos.”
non assis facis? o lutum, lupanar,
aut si perditius potes quid esse.
sed non est tamen hoc satis putandum.
quod si non aliud potest, ruborem
ferreo canis exprimamus ore.
conclamate iterum altiore voce
“moecha putida, redde codicillos,”
“redde, putida moecha, codicillos.”
sed nil proficimus, nihil movetur.
mutanda est ratio modusque nobis,
si quid proficere amplius potestis,
“pudica et proba, redde codicillos.”

[¶1] Hail, girl who neither nose of minim size
Owns, nor a pretty foot, nor jetty eyes,
Nor thin long fingers, nor mouth dry of slaver
Nor yet too graceful tongue of pleasant flavour,
Leman to Formian that rake-a-hell.
What, can the Province boast of thee as belle?
Thee with my Lesbia durst it make compare?
O Age insipid, of all humour bare!

> Latin: Salve, nec minimo puella naso
nec bello pede nec nigris ocellis
nec longis digitis nec ore sicco
nec sane nimis elegante lingua,
decoctoris amica Formiani.
ten provincia narrat esse bellam?
tecum Lesbia nostra comparatur?
o saeclum insapiens et infacetum!

[¶2] O Farm our own, Sabine or Tiburtine,
(For style thee “Tiburs” Who have not at heart
To hurt Catullus, whereas all that have
Wage any Wager thou be Sabine classed)
But whether Sabine or of Tiburs truer
To thy suburban Cottage fared I fain
And fro’ my bronchials drave that cursèd cough
Which not unmerited on me my maw,
A-seeking sumptuous banquetings, bestowed.
For I requesting to be Sestius’ guest
Read against claimant Antius a speech,
Full-filled with poisonous pestilential trash.
Hence a grave frigid rheum and frequent cough
Shook me till fled I to thy bosom, where
Repose and nettle-broth healed all my ills.
Wherefore recruited now best thanks I give
To thee for nowise punishing my sins:
Nor do I now object if noisome writs
Of Sestius hear I, but that cold and cough
And rheum may plague, not me, but Sestius’ self
Who asks me only his ill writs to read.

> Latin: O funde noster seu Sabine seu Tiburs
(nam te esse Tiburtem autumant quibus non est
cordi Catullum laedere: at quibus cordi est
quovis Sabinum pignore esse contendunt),
sed seu Sabine sive verius Tiburs,
fui libenter in tua suburbana
villa malamque pectore expuli tussim,
non immerenti quam mihi meus venter,
dum sumptuosas adpeto, dedit, cenas.
nam, Sestianus dum volo esse conviva,
orationem in Antium petitorem
plenam veneni et pestilentiae legi.
hic me gravido frigida et frequens tussis
quassavit usque dum in tuum sinum fugi
et me recuravi otioque et urtica.
quare refectus maximas tibi grates
ago, meum quod non es ulta peccatum.
nec deprecor iam, si nefaria scripta
Sesti recepso, quin gravedinem et tussim
non mi, sed ipsi Sestio ferat frigus,
qui tunc vocat me cum malum librum legi.

[¶3] To Acmé quoth Septumius who his fere
Held on his bosom—“Acmé, mine! next year,”
“Unless I love thee fondlier than before,”
“And with each twelve month love thee more and more,”
“As much as lover’s life can slay with yearning,”
“Alone in Lybia, or Hind’s clime a-burning,”
“Be mine to encounter Lion grisly-eyed!”
While he was speaking Love on leftward side
(As wont) approving sneeze from dextral sped.
But Acmé backwards gently bending head,
And the love-drunken eyes of her sweet boy
Kissing with yonder rosy mouth, “My joy,”
She murmured, “my life-love Septumillus mine!”
“Unto one master’s hest let’s aye incline,”
“As burns with fuller and with fiercer fire”
“In my soft marrow set, this love-desire!”
While she was speaking, Love from leftward side
(As wont) with sneeze approving rightwards hied.
Now with boon omens wafted on their way,
In mutual fondness, love and loved are they.
Love-sick Septumius holds one Acmé’s love,
Of Syrias or either Britains high above,
Acmé to one Septumius full of faith
Her love and love-liesse surrendereth.
Who e’er saw mortals happier than these two?
Who e’er a better omened Venus knew?

> Latin: Acmen Septimius suos amores
tenens in gremio “mea,” inquit, “Acme,”
“ni te perdite amo atque amare porro”
“omnes sum adsidue paratus annos”
“quantum qui pote plurimum perire,”
“solus in Libya Indiaque tosta”
“caesio veniam obvius leoni.”
hoc ut dixit, Amor, sinistra ut ante,
dextra sternuit adprobationem.
at Acme leviter caput reflectens
et dulcis pueri ebrios ocellos
illo purpureo ore saviata
“sic,” inquit, “mea vita, Septimille,”
“huic uni domino usque serviamus,”
“ut multo mihi maior acriorque”
“ignis mollibus ardet in medullis.”
hoc ut dixit, Arnor, sinistra ut ante,
dextra sternuit adprobationem.
nunc ab auspicio bono profecti
mutuis animis amant amantur.
unam Septimius misellus Acmen
mavult quam Syrias Britanniasque:
uno in Septimio fidelis Acme
facit delicias libidinesque.
quis ullos homines beatiores
vidit, quis Venerem auspicatiorem?

[¶4] Now Spring his cooly mildness brings us back,
Now th’ equinoctial heaven’s rage and wrack
Hushes at hest of Zephyr’s bonny breeze.
Far left (Catullus!) be the Phrygian leas
And summery Nicaea’s fertile downs:
Fly we to Asia’s fame-illumined towns.
Now lust my fluttering thoughts for wayfare long,
Now my glad eager feet grow steady, strong.
O fare ye well, my comrades, pleasant throng,
Ye who together far from homesteads flying,
By many various ways come homewards hieing.

> Latin: Iam ver egelidos refert tepores,
iam caeli furor aequinoctialis
iucundis Zephyri silescit auris.
linquantur Phrygii, Catulle, campi
Nicaeaeque ager uber aestuosae:
ad claras Asiae volemus urbes.
iam mens praetrepidans avet vagari,
iam laeti studio pedes vigescunt.
o dulces comitum valete coetus,
longe quos simul a domo profectos
diversae variae viae reportant.

[¶5] Porcius and Socration, pair sinister
Of Piso, scabs and starvelings of the world,
You to Fabúllus and my Verianiólus,
Hath dared yon snipt Priapus to prefer?
Upon rich banquets sumptuously spread
Still gorge you daily while my comrades must
Go seek invitals where the three roads fork?

> Latin: Porci et Socration, duae sinistrae
Pisonis, scabies famesque mundi,
vos Veraniolo meo et Fabullo
verpus praeposuit Priapus ille?
vos convivia lauta sumptuose
de die facitis? mei sodales
quaerunt in trivio vocationes?

[¶6] Those honied eyes of thine (Juventius!)
If any suffer me sans stint to buss,
I’d kiss of kisses hundred thousands three,
Nor ever deem I’d reach satiety,
Not albe denser than dried wheat-ears show
The kissing harvests our embraces grow.

> Latin: Mellitos oculos tuos, Iuventi,
siquis me sinat usque basiare,
usque ad milia basiem trecenta,
nec unquam videar satur futurus,
non si densior aridis aristis
sit nostrae seges osculationis.

[¶7] Most eloquent ’mid race of Romulus>
That is or ever was (Marc Tullius!)
Or in the coming years the light shall see,
His thanks, the warmest, offers unto thee
Catullus, poet sorriest that be,
And by such measure poet sorriest,
As thou of pleaders art the bestest best.

> Latin: Disertissime Romuli nepotum,
quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli,
quotque post aliis erunt in annis,
gratias tibi maximas Catullus
agit pessimus omnium poeta,
tanto pessimus omnium poeta
quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

[¶8] Idly (Licinius!) we our yesterday,
Played with my tablets much as pleased us play,
In mode becoming souls of dainty strain.
Inditing verses either of us twain
Now in one measure then in other line
We rang the changes amid wit and wine.
Then fared I homewards by thy fun so fired
And by thy jests (Licinius!) so inspired,
Nor food my hapless appetite availed
Nor sleep in quiet rest my eyelids veiled,
But o’er the bedstead wild in furious plight
I tossed a-longing to behold the light,
So I might talk wi’ thee, and be wi’ thee.
But when these wearied limbs from labour free
Were on my couchlet strewn half-dead to lie,
For thee (sweet wag!) this poem for thee wrote I,
Whereby thou mete and weet my cark and care.
Now be not over-bold, nor this our prayer
Outspit thou (apple of mine eyes!): we pray
Lest doom thee Nemesis hard pain repay:—
She’s a dire Goddess,’ware thou cross her way.

> Latin: Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi
multum lusimus in meis tabellis,
ut convenerat esse delicatos.
scribens versiculos uterque nostrum
ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc,
reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum.
atque illinc abii tuo lepore
incensus, Licini, facetiisque,
ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret,
nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos,
sed toto indomitus furore lecto
versarer cupiens videre lucem,
ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem.
at defessa labore membra postquam
semimortua lectulo iacebant,
hoc, iucunde, tibi poema feci,
ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem.
nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras,
oramus, cave despuas, ocelle,
ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te.
est vehemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.

[¶9] Peer of a God meseemeth he,
Nay passing Gods (and that can be!)
Who all the while sits facing thee
Sees thee and hears
Thy low sweet laughs which (ah me!) daze
Mine every sense, and as I gaze
Upon thee (Lesbia!) o’er me strays
…
My tongue is dulled, my limbs adown
Flows subtle flame; with sound its own
Rings either ear, and o’er are strown
Mine eyes with night.
Ease has thy lot, Catullus, crost,
Ease gladdens thee at heaviest cost,
Ease killed the Kings ere this and lost
the tallest towns.

> Latin: Ille mi par esse deo videtur,
ille, si fas est, superare divos
qui sedens adversus identidem te
spectat et audit
dulce ridentem, misero quod omnis
eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te,
Lesbia, adspexi, nihil est super mi
…
lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus
flamma demanat, sonitu suopte
tintinant aures, gemina teguntur
lumina nocte.
otium, Catulle, tibi molestum est:
otio exsultas nimiumque gestis.
otium et reges prius et beatas
perdidit urbes.

[¶10] What is’t, Catullus? Why delay to out die?
That Wen hight Nonius sits in curule chair,
For Consulship Vatinius false doth swear;
What is’t, Catullus? Why delay to out die?

> Latin: Quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori?
sella in curuli struma Nonius sedet,
per consulatum perierat Vatinius:
quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori?

[¶11] I laughed at one ’mid Forum-crowd unknown
Who, when Vatinius’ crimes in wondrous way
Had by my Calvus been explained, exposed,
His hand upraising high admiring cried
“Great Gods! the loquent little Doodle-diddle!”

> Latin: Risi nescio quem modo e corona,
qui, cum mirifice Vatiniana
meus crimina Calvus explicasset,
admirans ait haec manusque tollens
“di magni, salaputium disertum!”

[¶12] The head of Otho, puniest of pates
…
The rustic half-washt shanks of Nerius
And Libo’s subtle silent fizzling-farts.
…
I wish that leastwise these should breed disgust
In thee and old Fuficius, rogue twice-cookt.
Again at these mine innocent iamb-lines
Wi’ wrath be wrothest; unique Emperor!

> Latin: Othonis caput oppido est pusillum,
…
et eri rustica semilauta crura,
subtile et leve peditum Libonis,
…
si non omnia, displicere vellem
tibi et Fuficio, seni recocto
…
irascere iterum meis iambis
immerentibus, unice imperator.

[¶13] We pray, an’ haply irk it not when prayed,
Show us where shadowed hidest thou in shade!
Thee throughout Campus Minor sought we all,
Thee in the Circus, thee in each bookstall,
Thee in Almighty Jove’s fane consecrate.
Nor less in promenade titled from The Great
(Friend!) I accosted each and every quean,
But mostly madams showing mien serene,
For thee I pestered all with many pleas—
“Give me Camérius, wanton baggages!”
Till answered certain one a-baring breasts
“Lo,’twixt these rosy paps he haply rests!”
But now to find thee were Herculean feat.
Not if I feigned me that guard of Crete,
Not if with Pegasèan wing I sped,
Or Ladas I or Perseus plumiped,
Or Rhesus borne in swifty car snow-white:
Add the twain foot-bewing’d and fast of flight,
And of the cursive’ winds require the blow:
All these (Camérius!) couldst on me bestow.
Tho’ were I wearied to each marrow bone
And by many o’ languors clean forgone
Yet I to seek thee (friend!) would still assay.
In such proud lodging (friend) wouldst self denay?
Tell us where haply dwell’st thou, speak outright,
Be bold and risk it, trusting truth to light,
Say do these milk-white girls thy Steps detain?
If aye in tight-sealed lips thy tongue remain,
All Amor’s fruitage thou shalt cast away:
Verbose is Venus, loving verbal play!
But, an it please thee, padlockt palate bear,
So in your friendship I have partner-share.

> Latin: Oramus, si forte non molestum est,
demonstres ubi sint tuae tenebrae.
te campo quaesivimus minore,
te in circo, te in omnibus libellis,
te in templo summi Iovis sacrato.
in Magni simul ambulatione
femellas omnes, amice, prendi,
quas vultu vidi tamen serenas.
† A velte sic ipse flagitabam:
“camerium mihi, pessimae puellae!”
quaedam inquit nudum † reduc †
“en hic in roseis latet papillis.”
sed te iam ferre Herculi labos est:
Non custos si fingar ille Cretum,
non si Pegaseo ferar volatu,
non Ladas ego pinnipesve Perseus,
non Rhesi niveae citaeque bigae:
adde huc plumipedes volatilesque,
ventorumque simul require cursum,
quos vinctos, Cameri, mihi dicares:
defessus tamen omnibus medullis
et multis langoribus peresus
essem te mihi, amice, quaeritando.
tanto ten fastu negas, amice?
dic nobis ubi sis futurus, ede
audacter, committe, crede luci.
nunc te lacteolae tenent puellae?
si linguam clauso tenes in ore,
fructus proicies amoris omnes:
verbosa gaudet Venus loquella.
vel vi vis, licet obseres palatum,
dum veri sis particeps amoris.

[¶14] Right well are paired these Cinaedes sans shame
Mamurra and Caesar, both of pathic fame.
No wonder! Both are fouled with foulest blight,
One urban being, Formian t’other wight,
And deeply printed with indelible stain:
Morbose is either, and the twin-like twain
Share single Couchlet; peers in shallow lore,
Nor this nor that for lechery hungers more,
As rival wenchers who the maidens claim
Right well are paired these Cinaedes sans shame.

> Latin: O rem ridiculam, Cato, et iocosam
dignamque auribus et tuo cachinno.
ride, quidquid amas, Cato, Catullum:
res est ridicula et nimis iocosa.
deprendi modo pupulum puellae
trusantem: hunc ego, si placet Dionae,
pro telo rigida mea cecidi.
Pulchre convenit improbis cinaedis,
Mamurrae pathicoque Caesarique.
nec mirum: maculae pares utrisque,
urbana altera et illa Formiana,
impressae resident nec eluentur:
morbosi pariter gemelli utrique,
uno in lecticulo erudituli ambo,
non hic quam ille magis vorax adulter,
rivales socii puellularum:
pulchre convenit improbis cinaedis.

[¶15] Caelius! That Lesbia of ours, that Lesbia,
That only Lesbia by Catullus loved,
Than self, far fondlier, than all his friends,
She now Where four roads fork, and wind the wynds
Husks the high-minded scions Remus-sprung.

> Latin: Caeli, Lesbia nostra, Lesbia illa,
illa Lesbia, quam Catullus unam
plus quam se atque suos amavit omnes,
nunc in quadriviis et angiportis
glubit magnanimi Remi nepotes.

[¶16] Rufa the Bolognese drains Rufule dry,
(Wife to Menenius) she ’mid tombs you’ll spy,
The same a-snatching supper from the pyre
Following the bread-loaves rolling forth the fire
Till frapped by half-shaved body-burner’s ire.

> Latin: Bononiensis Rufa Rufulum fellat,
uxor Meneni, saepe quam in sepulcretis
vidistis ipso rapere de rogo cenam,
cum devolutum ex igne prosequens panem
ab semiraso tunderetur ustore.

[¶17] Bare thee some lioness wild in Lybian wold?
Or Scylla barking from low’st inguinal fold?
With so black spirit, of so dure a mould,
E’en voice of suppliant must thou disregard
In latest circumstance ah, heart o’er hard?

> Latin: Num te leaena montibus Libystinis
aut Scylla latrans infima inguinum parte
tam mente dura procreavit ac taetra,
ut supplicis vocem in novissimo casu
contemptam haberes, ah nimis fero corde?

[¶18] Of Helicon-hill, O Thou that be
Haunter, Urania’s progeny,
Who hurriest soft virginity
To man, O Hymenaeus Hymen,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
About thy temples bind the bloom,
Of Marjoram flow’ret scented sweet;
Take flamey veil: glad hither come
Come hither borne by snow-hue’d feet
Wearing the saffron’d sock.
And, roused by day of joyful cheer,
Carolling nuptial lays and chaunts
With voice as silver ringing clear,
Beat ground with feet, while brandisht flaunts
Thy hand the piney torch.
For Vinia comes by Manlius woo’d,
As Venus on th’ Idalian crest,
Before the Phrygian judge she stood
And now with blessed omens blest,
The maid is here to wed.
A maiden shining bright of blee,
As Myrtle branchlet Asia bred,
Which Hamadryad deity
As toy for joyance aye befed
With humour of the dew.
Then hither come thou, hieing lief,
Awhile to leave th’ Aonian cave,
Where ’neath the rocky Thespian cliff
Nymph Aganippe loves to lave
In cooly waves outpoured.
And call the house-bride, homewards bring
Maid yearning for new married fere,
Her mind with fondness manacling,
As the tough ivy here and there
Errant the tree enwinds.
And likewise ye, clean virginal
Maidens, to whom shall haps befall
Like day, in measure join ye all
Singing, O Hymenaeus Hymen,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
That with more will-full will a-hearing
The call to office due, he would
Turn footsteps hither, here appearing,
Guide to good Venus, and the good
Lover conjoining strait.
What God than other Godheads more
Must love-sick wights for aid implore?
Whose Godhead foremost shall adore
Mankind? O Hymenaeus Hymen,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Thee for his own the trembling sire
Invokes, thee Virgins ever sue
Who laps of zone to loose aspire,
And thee the bashful bridegrooms woo
With ears that long to hear.
Thou to the hand of love-fierce swain
Deliverest maiden fair and fain,
From mother’s fondling bosom ta’en
Perforce, O Hymenaeus Hymen
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Thou lacking, Venus ne’er avails—
While Fame approves for honesty—
Love-joys to lavish: ne’er she fails
Thou willing:—with such Deity
Whoe’er shall dare compare?
Thou wanting, never son and heir
The Hearth can bear, nor parents be
By issue girt, yet can it bear,
Thou willing:—with such Deity,
Whoe’er shall dare compare?
An lack a land thy sacring rite,
The perfect rule we ne’er shall see
Reach Earth’s far bourne; yet such we sight,
Thou willing:—with such Deity
Whoe’er shall dare compare?
Your folds ye gateways wide-ope swing!
The maiden comes. Seest not the sheen
Of links their splendent tresses fling?
Let shame retard the modest mien.
…
…
…
…
Who more she hears us weeps the more,
That needs she must advance.
Cease raining tear-drops! not for thee,
Aurunculeia, risk we deem,
That fairer femininety
Clear day outdawned from Ocean stream
Shall ever more behold.
Such in the many-tinted bower
Of rich man’s garden passing gay
Upstands the hyacinthine flower.
But thou delayest, wanes the day:
“Prithee, come forth new Bride.”
Prithee, come forth new Bride! methinks,
Drawing in sight, the talk we hold
Thou haply hearest. See the Links!
How shake their locks begilt with gold:
Prithee, new Bride come forth.
Not lightly given thy mate to ill
Joys and adulterous delights
Foul fleshly pleasures seeking still
Shall ever choose he lie o’ nights
Far from thy tender paps.
But as with pliant shoots the vine
Round nearest tree-trunk winds her way,
He shall be ever twined in thine
Embraces:— yet, lo! wanes the day:
Prithee, come forth new Bride!
Couchlet which to me and all
…
…
…
With bright white bedstead foot.
What joys the lord of thee betide!
What love-liesse on vaguing way
O’ nights! What sweets in morning tide
For thee be stored! Yet wanes the day:
Prithee, come forth fresh Bride!
Your lighted links, O boys, wave high:
I see the flamey veil draw nigh:
Hie, sing in merry mode and cry
“O Hymen Hymenaeus io,”
“O Hymen Hymenaeus!”
Lest longer mute tongue stays that joys
In festal jest, from Fescennine,
Nor yet denay their nuts to boys,
He-Concubine! who learns in fine
His lordling’s love is fled.
Throw nuts to boys thou idle all
He-Concubine! wast fain full long
With nuts to play: now pleased as thrall
Be thou to swell Talasios’ throng:
He-Concubine throw nuts.
Wont thou at peasant-girls to jape
He-whore! Thy Lord’s delight the while:
Now shall hair-curling chattel scrape
Thy cheeks: poor wretch, ah! poor and vile:—
He-Concubine, throw nuts.’Tis said from smooth-faced ingle train
(Anointed bridegroom!) hardly fain
Hast e’er refrained; now do refrain!
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus!
We know that naught save licit rites
Be known to thee, but wedded wights
No more deem lawful such delights.
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Thou too, O Bride, whatever dare
Thy groom, of coy rebuff beware,
Lest he to find elsewhither fare.
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Lo! here the house of high degree
Thy husband’s puissant home to be,
Which ever shall obey thy gree.
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Till Time betide when eld the hoar
Thy head and temples trembling o’er
Make nod to all things evermore.
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
O’erstep with omen meetest meet
The threshold-stone thy golden feet
Up, past the polisht panels fleet.
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymerneus.
Within bestrewn thy bridegroom see
On couch of Tyrian cramoisy
All imminent awaiting thee.
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
For in his breast not less than thine
Burn high the flames that deepest shrine,
Yet his the lowe far deeper lien.
O Hymen Hymemeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Let fall the maid’s soft arms, thou fair
Boy purple-hem’d: now be thy care
Her bridegroom’s couch she seek and share.
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Ye wives time-tried to husbands wed,
Well-known for chastity inbred,
Dispose the virginette a-bed.
O Hymen Hymenaeus io,
O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Groom, now ’tis meet thou hither pace,
With bride in genial bed to blend,
For sheenly shines her flowery face
Where the white chamomiles contend
With poppies blushing red.
Yet bridegroom (So may Godhead deign
Help me!) nowise in humbler way
Art fair, nor Venus shall disdain
Thy charms, but look! how wanes the day:
Forward, nor loiter more!
No longer loitering makest thou,
Now comest thou. May Venus good
Aid thee when frankly takest thou
Thy wishes won, nor true Love woo’d
Thou carest to conceal.
Of Afric’s wolds and wilds each grain,
Or constellations glistening,
First reckon he that of the twain
To count alone were fain to bring
The many thousand joys.
Play as ye please: soon prove ye deft
At babying babes,—’twere ill design’d
A name thus ancient should be left
Heirless, but issue like of kind
Engendered aye should be.
A wee Torquaitus fain I’d see
Encradled on his mother’s breast
Put forth his tender puds while he
Smiles to his sire with sweetest gest
And liplets half apart.
Let son like father’s semblance show
(Manlius!) so with easy guess
All know him where his sire they know,
And still his face and form express
His mother’s honest love.
Approve shall fair approof his birth
From mother’s seed-stock generous,
As rarest fame of mother’s worth
Unique exalts Telemachus
Penelope’s own son.
Fast close the door-leaves, virgin band:
Enow we’ve played. But ye the fair
New-wedded twain live happy, and
Functions of lusty married pair
Exercise sans surcease.

> Latin: Collis o Heliconii
cultor, Uraniae genus,
qui rapis teneram ad virum
virginem, o Hymenaee Hymen,
o Hymen Hymenaee,
cinge tempora floribus
suave olentis amaraci,
flammeum cape, laetus huc,
huc veni niveo gerens
luteum pede soccum,
excitusque hilari die
nuptialia concinens
voce carmina tinnula
pelle humum pedibus, manu
pineam quate taedam.
namque Vinia Manilo,
qualis Idalium colens
venit ad Phrygium Venus
iudicem, bona cum bona
nubet alite virgo,
floridis velut enitens
myrtus Asia ramulis,
quos hamadryades deae
ludicrum sibi rosido
nutriunt umore.
quare age huc aditum ferens
perge linquere Thespiae
rupis Aonios specus,
nympha quos super irrigat
frigerans Aganippe,
ac domum dominam voca
coniugis cupidam novi,
mentem amore revinciens
ut tenax hedera huc et huc
arborem implicat errans.
vosque item simul, integrae
virgines, quibus advenit
par dies, agite in modum
dicite, “o Hymenaee Hymen,”
“o Hymen Hymenaee.”
ut libentius, audiens
se citarier ad suum
munus, huc aditum ferat
dux bonae Veneris, boni
coniugator amoris.
quis deus magis anxiis
est petendus amantibus?
quem colent homines magis
caelitum? o Hymenaee Hymen,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
te suis tremulus parens
invocat, tibi virgines
zonula solvunt sinus,
te timens cupida novus
captat aure maritus.
tu fero iuveni in manus
floridam ipse puellulam
dedis a gremio suae
matris, o Hymenaee Hymen,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
nil potest sine te Venus
fama quod bona comprobet
commodi capere: at potest
te volente.quis huic deo
compararier ausit?
nulla quit sine te domus
liberos dare, nec parens
stirpe nitier: at potest
te volente.quis huic deo
compararier ausit?
quae tuis careat sacris
non queat dare praesides
terra finibus: at queat
te volente.quis huic deo
compararier ausit?
claustra pandite ianuae,
virgo adest. viden ut faces
splendidas quatiunt comas?
…
…
…
…
tardet ingenuus pudor:
quem tamen magis audiens
flet quod ire necesse est.
flere desine. Non tibi, Au-
runculeia, periculum est
ne qua femina pulchrior
clarum ab Oceano diem
viderit venientem.
talis in vario solet
divitis domini hortulo
stare flos hyacinthinus.
sed moraris, abit dies:
prodeas, nova nupta.
prodeas, nova nupta, si
iam videtur, et audias
nostra verba.vide ut faces
aureas quatiunt comas:
prodeas, nova nupta.
non tuus levis in mala
deditus vir adultera
probra turpia persequens
a tuis teneris volet
secubare papillis,
lenta quin velut adsitas
vitis implicat arbores,
implicabitur in tuum
complexum.Sed abit dies:
prodeas, nova nupta.
o cubile quod omnibus
…
…
…
candido pede lecti,
quae tuo veniunt ero,
quanta gaudia, quac vaga
nocte, quae medio die
gaudeat! sed abit dies:
Prodeas, nova nupta.
tollite, o pueri, faces:
flammeum video venire.
ite, concinite in modum
“o Hymen Hymenaee io,”
“o Hymen Hymenaee.”
ne diu taceat procax
fescennina iocatio,
nec nuces pueris neget
desertum domini audiens
concubinus amorem.
da nuces pueris, iners
concubine: satis diu
lusisti nucibus: libet
iam servire Talasio.
concubine, nuces da.
sordebant tibi vilicae,
concubine, hodie atque heri:
nunc tuum cinerarius
tondet os. miser ah miser
concubine, nuces da.
diceris male te a tuis
unguentate glabris marite
abstinere: sed abstine.
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
scimus haec tibi quae licent
sola cognita: sed marito
ista non eadem licent.
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
nupta, tu quoque quae tuus
vir petet cave ne neges,
ne petitum aliunde eat.
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
en tibi domus ut potens
et beata viri tui:
quae tibi sine serviat
(o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee).
usque dum tremulum movens
cana tempus anilitas
omnia omnibus adnuit.
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
transfer omine cum bono
limen aureolos pedes,
rasilemque subi forem.
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
adspice unus ut accubans
vir tuus Tyrio in toro
totus immineat tibi.
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
illi non minus ac tibi
pectore uritur intimo
flamma, sed penite magis
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
mitte bracchiolum teres,
praetextate, puellulae:
iam cubile adeat viri.
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
o bonae senibus viris
cognitae bene feminae,
conlocate puellulam.
o Hymen Hymenaee io,
o Hymen Hymenaee.
iam licet venias, marite:
uxor in thalamo tibi est
ore floridulo nitens
alba parthenice velut
luteumve papaver.
at, marite, (ita me iuvent
caelites) nihilo minus
pulcher es, neque te Venus
neglegit. sed abit dies:
perge, ne remorare.
non diu remoratus es,
iam venis. bona te Venus
iuverit, quoniam palam
quod cupis cupis et bonum
non abscondis amorem.
ille pulveris Africi
siderumque micantium
subducat numerum prius,
qui vestri numerare vult
multa milia ludi.
ludite ut libet, et brevi
liberos date. non decet
tam vetus sine liberis
nomen esse, sed indidem
semper ingenerari.
Torquatus volo parvulus
matris e gremio suae
porrigens teneras manus
dulce rideat ad patrem
semihiante labello.
sit suo similis patri
Manlio et facile insciis
noscitetur ab omnibus
et pudicitiam suae
matris indicet ore.
talis illius a bona
matre laus genus adprobet
qualis unica ab optima
matre Telemacho manet
fama Penelopeo.
claudite ostia, virgines:
lusimus satis. at, boni
coniuges, bene vivite et
munere adsiduo valentem
exercete iuventam.

[¶19] Youths:
Vesper is here, O youths, rise all; for Vesper Olympus
Scales and in fine enfires what lights so long were expected!
Time ’tis now to arise, now leave we tables rich laden,
Now shall the Virgin come; now chaunt we the Hymenaeus.
Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Damsels:
View ye the Youths, O Maids unwed? Then rise to withstand them:
Doubtless the night-fraught Star displays his splendour Oetean.
Sooth ’tis so; d’ye sight how Speedily sprang they to warfare?
Nor for a naught up-sprang: they’ll Sing what need we to conquer.
Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Youths:
Nowise easy the palm for us (Companions!) be proffer’d,
Lo! now the maidens muse and meditate matter of forethought
Nor meditate they in vain; they muse a humorous something.
Yet naught wonder it is, their sprites be wholly in labour.
We bear divided thought one way and hearing in other:
Vanquish’t by right we must be, since Victory loveth the heedful.
Therefore at least d’ye turn your minds the task to consider,
Soon shall begin their say whose countersay shall befit you.
Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Damsels:
Hesperus! say what flame more cruel in Heaven be fanned?
Thou who the girl perforce canst tear from a mother’s embraces,
Tear from a parent’s clasp her child despite of her clinging
And upon love-hot youth bestowest her chastest of maidenhoods!
What shall the foeman deal more cruel to city becaptured?
Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Youths:
Hesperus! say what flame more gladsome in Heavens be shining?
Thou whose light makes sure long-pledged connubial promise
Plighted erewhile by men and erstwhile plighted by parents.
Yet to be ne’er fulfilled before thy fire’s ardours have risen!
What better boon can the gods bestow than hour so desirèd?
Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Damsels:
…
Hesperus! one of ourselves (Companions!) carried elsewhither
…
Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Youths:
…
For at thy coming in sight a guard is constantly watching.
Hidden o’nights lurk thieves and these as oft as returnest,
Hesper! thou seizest them with title changed to Eous.
Pleases the bevy unwed with feigned complaints to accuse thee.
What if assail they whom their souls in secrecy cherish?
Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Damsels:
E’en as a flow’ret born secluded in garden enclosed,
Unto the flock unknown and ne’er uptorn by the ploughshare,
Soothed by the zephyrs and strengthened by suns and nourish’t by showers
…
Loves her many a youth and longs for her many a maiden:
Yet from her lissome stalk when cropt that flower deflowered,
Loves her never a youth nor longs for her ever a maiden:
Thus while the virgin be whole, such while she’s the dearling of kinsfolk;
Yet no sooner is lost her bloom from body polluted,
Neither to youths she is joy, nor a dearling she to the maidens.
Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Youths:
E’en as an unmated vine which born in field of the barest
Never upraises head nor breeds the mellowy grape-bunch,
But under weight prone-bowed that tender body a-bending
Makes she her root anon to touch her topmost of tendrils;
Tends her never a hind nor tends her ever a herdsman:
Yet if haply conjoined the same with elm as a husband,
Tends her many a hind and tends her many a herdsman:
Thus is the maid when whole, uncultured waxes she aged;
But whenas union meet she wins her at ripest of seasons,
More to her spouse she is dear and less she’s irk to her parents.
Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! Youths and Damsels:
But do thou cease to resist (O Maid!) such bridegroom opposing,
Right it is not to resist whereto consigned thee a father,
Father and mother of thee unto whom obedience is owing.
Not is that maidenhood all thine own, but partly thy parents!
Owneth thy sire one third, one third is right of thy mother,
Only the third is thine: stint thee to strive with the others,
Who to the stranger son have yielded their dues with a dower!
Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!

> Latin: Vesper adest: iuvenes, consurgite: vesper Olympo
exspectata diu vix tandem lumina tollit.
surgere iam tempus, iam pinguis linquere mensas;
iam veniet virgo, iam dicetur hymenaeus.
Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee.
cernitis, innuptae, iuvenes? consurgite contra:
nimirum Oetaeos ostendit Noctifer ignes.
sic certe est: viden ut perniciter exsiluere?
non temere exsiluere; canent quod vincere par est.
Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee.
non facilis nobis, aequales, palma parata est:
adspicite, innuptae secum ut meditata requirunt.
non frustra meditantur; habent memorabile quod sit.
nec mirum, penitus quae tota mente laborant.
nos alio mentes, alio divisimus aures:
iure igitur vincemur; amat victoria curam.
quare nunc animos saltem convertite vestros:
dicere iam incipient, iam respondere decebit.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee.
Hespere, qui caelo fertur crudelior ignis?
qui natam possis complexu avellere matris,
complexu matris retinentem avellere natam
et iuveni ardenti castam donare puellam.
quid faciunt hostes capta crudelius urbe?
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee.
Hespere, qui caelo lucet iucundior ignis?
qui desponsa tua firmes conubia flammma,
quae pepigere viri, pepigerunt ante parentes,
nec iunxere prius quam se tuus extulit ardor.
quid datur a divis felici optatius hora?
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee.
Hesperus e nobis, aequales, abstulit unam
…
namque tuo adventu vigilat custodia semper.
nocte latent fures, quos idem saepe revertens,
Hespere, mutato comprendis nomine eosdem.
at libet innuptis ficto te carpere questu.
quid tum, si carpunt tacita quem mente requirunt?
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee.
ut flos in saeptis secretus nascitur hortis,
ignotus pecori, nullo convulsus aratro,
quem mulcent aurae, firmat sol, educat imber,
multi illum pueri, multae optavere puellae;
idem cum tenui carptus defloruit ungui,
nulli illum pueri, nullae optavere puellae:
sic virgo, dum intacta manet, dum cara suis est;
cum castum amisit polluto corpore florem,
nec pueris iucunda manet nec cara puellis.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee.
ut vidua in nudo vitis quae nascitur arvo
nunquam se extollit, nunquam mitem educat uvam,
sed tenerum prono deflectens pondere corpus
iam iam contingit summum radice flagellum,
hanc nulli agricolae, nulli accoluere iuvenci;
at si forte eadem est ulmo coniuncta marito,
multi illam agricolae, multi accoluere iuvenci:
sic virgo, dum intacta manet, dum inculta senescit;
cum par conubium maturo tempore adepta est,
cara viro magis et minus est invisa parenti.
et tu ne pugna cum tali coniuge, virgo.
non aequum est pugnare, pater cui tradidit ipse,
ipse pater cum matre, quibus parere necesse est.
virginitas non tota tua est, ex parte parentum est:
tertia pars patri, pars est data tertia matri,
tertia sola tua est.noli pugnare duobus,
qui genero sua iura simul cum dote dederunt.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee.

[¶20] O’er high deep seas in speedy ship his voyage Atys sped
Until he trod the Phrygian grove with hurried eager tread
And as the gloomy tree-shorn stead, the she-god’s home, he sought
There sorely stung with fiery ire and madman’s vaguing thought,
Share he with sharpened flint the freight wherewith his form was fraught.
Then as the she-he sensed limbs were void of manly strain
And sighted freshly shed a-ground spot of ensanguined stain,
Snatched she the timbrel’s legier load with hands as snowdrops white,
Thy timbrel, Mother Cybele, the firstings of thy rite,
And as her tender finger-tips on bull-back hollow rang
She rose a-grieving and her song to listening comrades sang.
“Up Gallae, hie together, haste for Cybele’s deep grove,”
“Hie to the Dindymnean dame, ye flocks that love to rove;”
“The which affecting stranger steads as bound in exile’s brunt”
“My sect pursuing led by me have nerved you to confront”
“The raging surge of salty sea and ocean’s tyrant hand”
“As your hate of Venus’ hest your manly forms unmann’d,”
“Gladden your souls, ye mistresses, with sense of error bann’d.”
“Drive from your spirits dull delay, together follow ye”
“To hold of Phrygian goddess, home of Phrygian Cybebe,”
“Whereloud the cymbal’s voice resounds with timbrel-echoes blending,”
“And where the Phrygian piper drones grave bass from reed a-bending,”
“Where toss their ivy-circled heads with might the Maenades”
“Where ply mid shrilly lullilooes the holiest mysteries,”
“Where to fly here and there be wont the she-god’s vaguing train,”
“Thither behoves us lead the dance in quick-step hasty strain.”
Soon as had Atys (bastard-she) this lay to comrades sung
The Chorus sudden lulliloos with quivering, quavering tongue,
Again the nimble timbrel groans, the scooped-out cymbals clash,
And up green Ida flits the Choir, with footsteps hurrying rash
Then Atys frantic, panting, raves, a-wandering, lost, insane,
And leads with timbrel hent and treads the shades where shadows rain,
Like heifer spurning load of yoke in yet unbroken pride;
And the swift Gallae follow fain their first and fleet-foot guide.
But when the home of Cybele they make with toil out-worn
O’er much, they lay them down to sleep and gifts of Ceres scorn;
Till heavy slumbers seal their eyelids langourous, drooping lowly,
And raving frenzy flies each brain departing softly, slowly.
But when Dan Sol with radiant eyes that fire his face of gold
Surveyed white aether and solid soil and waters uncontrol’d,
And chased with steeds sonorous-hooved the shades of lingering night,
Then sleep from waking Atys fled fleeting with sudden flight,
By Nymph Pasithae welcomed to palpitating breast.
Thus when his frenzy raging rash was soothed to gentlest rest,
Atys revolved deeds lately done, as thought from breast unfolding,
And what he’d lost and what he was with lucid sprite beholding,
To shallows led by surging soul again the way ’gan take.
There casting glance of weeping eyes where vasty billows brake,
Sad-voiced in pitifullest lay his native land bespake.
“Country of me, Creatress mine, born to thee and bred,”
“By hapless me abandoned as by thrall from lordling fled,”
“When me to Ida’s groves and glades these vaguing footsteps bore”
“To tarry ’mid the snows and where lurk beasts in antres frore”
“And seek the deeply hidden lairs where furious ferals meet!”
“Where, Country! whither placed must I now hold thy site and seat?”
“Lief would these balls of eyes direct to thee their line of sight,”
“Which for a while, a little while, would free me from despite.”
“Must I for ever roam these groves from house and home afar?”
“Of country, parents, kith and kin (life’s boon) myself debar?”
“Fly Forum, flyPalestra, fly the Stadium, the Gymnase?”
“Wretch, ah poor wretch, I’m doomed (my soul!) to mourn throughout my days,”
“For what of form or figure is, which I failed to enjoy?”
“I full-grown man, I blooming youth, I stripling, I a boy,”
“I of Gymnasium erst the bloom, I too of oil the pride:”
“Warm was my threshold, ever stood my gateways opening wide,”
“My house was ever garlanded and hung with flowery freight,”
“And couch to quit with rising sun, has ever been my fate:”
“Now must I Cybele’s she-slave, priestess of gods, be hight?”
“I Maenad I, mere bit of self, I neutral barren wight?”
“I spend my life-tide couch’t beneath high-towering Phrygian peaks?”
“I dwell on Ida’s verdant slopes mottled with snowy streaks,”
“Where homes the forest-haunting doe, where roams the wildling boar?”
“Now, now I rue my deed foredone, now, now it irks me sore!”
Whenas from out those roseate lips these accents rapid flew,
Bore them to ears divine consigned a Nuncio true and new;
Then Cybele her lions twain disjoining from their yoke
The left-hand enemy of the herds a-goading thus bespoke:
“Up feral fell! up, hie with him, see rage his foot-steps urge,”
“See that his fury smite him till he seek the forest verge,”
“He who with over-freedom fain would fly mine empery.”
“Go, slash thy flank with lashing tail and sense the strokes of thee,”
“Make the whole mountain to thy roar sound and resound again,”
“And fiercely toss thy brawny neck that bears the tawny mane!”
So quoth an angered Cybele, and yoke with hand untied:
The feral rose in fiery wrath and self-inciting hied,
A-charging, roaring through the brake with breaking paws he tore.
But when he reached the humid sands where surges cream the shore,
Spying soft Atys lingering near the marbled pave of sea
He springs: the terror-madded wretch back to the wood doth flee,
Where for the remnant of her days a bondmaid’s life led she.
Great Goddess, Goddess Cybele, Dindymus dame divine,
Far from my house and home thy wrath and wrack, dread mistress mine:
Goad others on with Fury’s goad, others to Ire consign!

> Latin: Super alta vectus Attis celeri rate maria
Phrygium ut nemus citato cupide pede tetigit
adiitque opaca silvis redimita loca deae,
stimulatus ibi furenti rabie, vagus animis
devolvit ili acuto sibi pondera silice.
itaque ut relicta sensit sibi membra sine viro,
etiam recente terrae sola sanguine maculans
niveis citata cepit manibus leve typanum,
typanum, tubam Cybelles, tua, mater, initia,
quatiensque terga tauri teneris cava digitis
canere haec suis adorta est tremebunda comitibus
“agite ite ad alta, Gallae, Cybeles nemora simul,”
“simul ite, Dindymenae dominae vaga pecora,”
“aliena quae petentes velut exsules loca”
“sectam meam exsecutae duce me mihi comites”
“rapidum salum tulistis truculentaque pelagi”
“et corpus evirastis Veneris nimio odio,”
“hilarate erae citatis erroribus animum.”
“mora tarda mente cedat; simul ite, sequimini”
“Phrygiam ad domum Cybelles, Phrygia ad nemora deae,”
“ubi cymbalum sonat vox, ubi tympana reboant,”
“tibicen ubi canit Phryx curvo grave calamo,”
“ubi capita maenades vi iaciunt hederigerae,”
“ubi sacra sancta acutis ululatibus agitant,”
“ubi suevit illa divae volitare vaga cohors,”
“quo nos decet citatis celerare tripudiis.”
simul haec comitibus Attis cecinit notha mulier,
thiasus repente linguis trepidantibus ululat,
leve tympanum remugit, cava cymbala recrepant,
viridem citus adit Idam properante pede chorus.
furibunda simul anhelans vaga vadit animam agens
comitata tympano Attis per opaca nemora dux,
veluti iuvenca vitans onus indomita iugi:
rapidae ducem secuntur Gallae properipedem.
itaque, ut domum Cybelles tetigere lassulae,
nimio e labore somnum capiunt sine Cerere.
piger his labante langore oculos sopor operit:
abit in quiete molli rabidus furor animi.
sed ubi oris aurei Sol radiantibus oculis
lustravit aethera album, sola dura, mare ferum,
pepulitque noctis umbras vegetis sonipedibus,
ibi Somnus excitam Attin fugiens citus abiit:
trepidante eum recepit dea Pasithea sinu.
ita de quiete molli rapida sine rabie
simul ipsa pectore Attis sua facta recoluit,
liquidaque mente vidit sine quis ubique foret,
animo aestuante rusum reditum ad vada tetulit.
ibi maria vasta visens lacrimantibus oculis
patriam adlocuta maesta est ita voce miseriter:
“patria o mei creatrix, patria o mea genetrix,”
“ego quam miser relinquens, dominos ut erifugae”
“famuli solent, ad Idae tetuli nemora pedem,”
“ut apud nivem et ferarum gelida stabula forem”
“et earum omnia adirem furibunda latibula,”
“ubinam aut quibus locis te positam, patria, reor?”
“cupit ipsa pupula ad te sibi derigere aciem,”
“rabie fera carens dum breve tempus animus est.”
“egone a mea remota haec ferar in nemora domo?”
“patria, bonis, amicis, genitoribus abero?”
“abero foro, palaestra, stadio, et gymnasiis?”
“miser ah miser, querendum est etiam atque etiam, anime.”
“quod enim genus figurae est ego non quod obierim?”
“ego mulier, ego adulescens, ego ephebus, ego puer,”
“ego gymnasi fui flos, ego eram decus olei:”
“mihi ianuae frequentes, mihi limina tepida,”
“mihi floridis corollis redimita domus erat,”
“linquendum ubi esset orto mihi sole cubiculum.”
“ego nunc deum ministra et Cybeles famula ferar?”
“ego maenas, ego mei pars, ego vir sterilis ero?”
“ego viridis algida Idae nive amicta loca colam?”
“ego vitam agam sub altis Phrygiae columinibus,”
“ubi cerva silvicultrix, ubi aper nemorivagus?”
“iam iam dolet quod egi, iam iamque paenitet.”
roseis ut huic labellis sonitus citus abiit
geminas deorum ad aures nova nuntia referens,
ibi iuncta iuga resoluens Cybele leonibus
laevumque pecoris hostem stimulans ita loquitur.
“Agedum,” inquit, “age ferox i, fac ut hunc furor agitet,”
“fac uti furoris ictu reditum in nemora ferat,”
“mea libere nimis qui fugere imperia cupit.”
“age caede terga cauda, tua verbera patere,”
“fac cuncta mugienti fremitu loca retonent,”
“rutilam ferox torosa cervice quate iubam.”
ait haec minax Cybelle religatque iuga manu.
ferus ipse sese adhortans rabidum incitat animo,
vadit, fremit, refringit virgulta pede vago.
at ubi umida albicantis loca litoris adiit
tenerumque vidit Attin prope marmora pelagi,
facit impetum: ille demens fugit in nemora fera:
ibi semper omne vitae spatium famula fuit.
dea magna, dea Cybelle, dea domina Dindymi,
procul a mea tuus sit furor omnis, era, domo:
alios age incitatos, alios age rabidos.

[¶21] Pine-trees gendered whilome upon soaring Peliac summit
Swam (as the tale is told) through liquid surges of Neptune
Far as the Phasis-flood and frontier-land Aeetean;
Whenas the youths elect, of Argive vigour the oak-heart,
Longing the Golden Fleece of the Colchis-region to harry,
Dared in a poop swift-paced to span salt seas and their shallows,
Sweeping the deep blue seas with sweeps a-carven of fir-wood.
She, that governing Goddess of citadels crowning the cities,
Builded herself their car fast-flitting with lightest of breezes,
Weaving plants of the pine conjoined in curve of the kelson;
Foremost of all to imbue rude Amphitrite with ship-lore.
Soon as her beak had burst through wind-rackt spaces of ocean,
While the oar-tortured wave with spumy whiteness was blanching,
Surged from the deep abyss and hoar-capped billows the faces
Seaborn, Nereids eyeing theprodigy wonder-smitten.
There too mortal orbs through softened spendours regarded
Ocean-nymphs who exposed bodies denuded of raiment
Bare to the breast upthrust from hoar froth capping the sea-depths.
Then Thetis Peleus fired (men say) a-sudden with love,
Then Thetis nowise spurned to mate and marry with mortal,
Then Thetis’ Sire himself her yoke with Peleus sanctioned.
Oh, in those happier days now fondly yearned-for, you heroes
Born; (all hail!) of the gods begotten, and excellent issue
Bred by your mothers, all hail! and placid deal me your favour.
Oft with the sound of me, in strains and spells I’ll invoke you;
You too by wedding-torch so happily, highly augmented,
Peleus, Thessaly’s ward, in whose favor Jupiter himself,
The Father of the gods, resigned his passions.
You Thetis, fairest of maids Nereian, vouchsafed to marry?
You did Tethys empower to woo and wed with her grandchild;
Nor less Oceanus, with water compassing th’ Earth-globe?
But when ended the term, and wisht-for light of the day-tide
Uprose, flocks to the house in concourse mighty, convened,
Thessaly all, with glad assembly the Palace fulfilling:
Presents afore they bring, and joy in faces declare they.
Cieros abides a desert: they quit Phthiotican Tempe,
Homesteads of Crannon-town, eke bulwarkt walls Larissa;
Meeting at Pharsalus, and roof Pharsalian seeking.
None will the fields now till; soft wax all necks the oxen,
Never the humble vine is purged by curve of the rake-tooth,
Never a pruner’s hook thins out the shade of the tree-tufts,
Never a bull up-plows broad glebe with bend of the coulter,
Over whose point unuse displays the squalor of rust-stain.
But in the homestead’s heart, where’er that opulent palace
Hides a retreat, all shines with splendour of gold and of silver.
Ivory blanches the seats, bright gleam the flagons a-table,
All of the mansion joys in royal riches and grandeur.
But for the Diva’s use bestrewn is the genial bedstead,
Hidden in midmost stead, and its polisht framework of Indian
Tusk underlies its cloth empurpled by juice of the dye-shell.
This be a figured cloth with forms of manhood primeval
Showing by marvel-art the gifts and graces of heroes.
Here upon Dia’s strand wave-resonant, ever-regarding
Theseus borne from sight outside by fleet of the fleetest,
Stands Ariadne with heart full-filled with furies unbated,
Nor can her sense as yet believe she ’spies the espied,
When like one that awakes new roused from slumber deceptive,
Sees she her hapless self lone left on loneliest sandbank:
While as the mindless youth with oars disturbeth the shallows,
Casts to the windy storms what vows he vainly had vowed.
Him through the sedges afar the sad-eyed maiden of Minos,
Likest a Bacchant-girl stone-carven, (O her sorrow!)
’Spies, a-tossing the while on sorest billows of love-care.
Now no more on her blood-hued hair fine fillets retains she,
No more now light veil conceals her bosom erst hidden,
Now no more smooth zone contains her milky-hued paplets:
All gear dropping adown from every part of her person
Thrown, lie fronting her feet to the briny wavelets a sea-toy.
But at such now no more of her veil or her fillet a-floating
Had she regard: on you, Theseus! all of her heart-strength,
All of her sprite, her mind, forlorn, were evermore hanging.
Ah, sad soul, by grief and grievance driven beside you,
Sowed Erycina first those brambly cares in thy bosom,
What while issuing fierce with will enstarkened, Theseus
Forth from thebow-bent shore Piraean putting a-seawards
Reacht the Gortynian roofs where dwelt the injurious Monarch.
For ’twas told of yore how forced by pestilence cruel,
Eke as a blood rite due for the Androgeonian murder,
Many a chosen youth and the bloom of damsels unmarried
Food for the Minotaur, Cecropia was wont to befurnish.
Seeing his narrow walls in such wise vexed with evils,
Theseus of freest will for dear-loved Athens his body
Offered a victim so that no more to Crete be deported
Lives by Cecropia doomed to burials burying nowise;
Then with a swifty ship and soft breathed breezes a-stirring,
Sought he Minos the Haughty where homed in proudest of Mansions.
Him as with yearning glance forthright espied the royal
Maiden, whom pure chaste couch aspiring delicate odours
Cherisht, in soft embrace of a mother comforted all-whiles,
(E’en as the myrtles begot by the flowing floods of Eurotas,
Or as the tincts distinct brought forth by breath of the springtide)
Never the burning lights of her eyes from gazing upon him
Turned she, before fierce flame in all her body conceived she
Down in its deepest depths and burning within her marrow.
Ah, with unmitigate heart exciting wretchedmost furies,
You, Boy sacrosanct! man’s grief and gladness commingling,
You too of Golgos Queen and Lady of leafy Idalium,
Whelm’d you in what manner waves that maiden fantasy-fired,
All for a blond-haired youth suspiring many a singulf!
Whiles how dire was the dread she dreed in languishing heart-strings;
How yet more, ever more, with golden splendour she paled!
Whenas yearning to mate his might with the furious monster
Theseus braved his death or sought the prizes of praises.
Then of her gifts to gods not ingrate, nor profiting naught,
Promise with silent lip, addressed she timidly vowing.
For as an oak that shakes on topmost summit of Taurus
Its boughs, or cone-growing pine from bole bark resin exuding,
Whirlwind of passing might that twists the stems with its storm-blasts,
Uproots, deracinates, forthright its trunk to the farthest,
Prone falls, shattering wide what lies in line of its downfall,—
Thus was that wildling flung by Theseus and vanquisht of body,
Vainly tossing its horns and goring the wind to no purpose.
Thence with abounding praise returned he, guiding his footsteps,
While a fine drawn thread checked steps in wander abounding,
Lest when issuing forth of the winding maze labyrinthine
Baffled become his track by inobservable error.
But for what cause should I, from early subject digressing,
Tell of the daughter who the face of her sire unseeing,
Eke her sister’s embrace nor less her mother’s endearments,
Who in despair bewept her hapless child that so gladly
Chose before every and each the lively wooing of Theseus?
Or how borne by the ship to the yeasting shore-line of Dia
Came she? or how when bound her eyes in bondage of slumber
Left her that chosen mate with mind unmindful departing?
Often (they tell) with heart inflamed by fiery fury
Poured she shrilling of shrieks from deepest depths of her bosom;
Now she would sadly scale the broken faces of mountains,
Whence she might overglance the boundless boiling of billows,
Then she wouldrush to bestem the salt-plain’s quivering wavelet
And from her ankles bare the dainty garment uplifting,
Spoke she these words (’tis said) from sorrow’s deepest abysses,
While from her tear-drencht face outburst cold shivering sobs.
“Thus from my patrial shore, O traitor, hurried to exile,”
“Me on a lonely strand hast left, perfidious Theseus?”
“Thus wise farest, despite the godhead of Deities spurned,”
“(Reckless, alas!) to your home convoying perjury-curses?”
“Naught, then, ever availed that mind of cruelest counsel”
“Alter? No saving grace in you was evermore ready,”
“That to have pity on me vouchsafed your pitiless bosom?”
“Nevertheless not in past time such were the promises wordy”
“Lavished; nor such hopes to me the hapless were bidden;”
“But the glad married joys, the longed-for pleasures of wedlock.”
“All now empty and vain, by breath of the breezes bescattered!”
“Now, let woman no more trust her to man when he sweareth,”
“Ne’er let her hope to find or truth or faith in his pleadings,”
“Who when lustful thought forelooks to somewhat attaining,”
“Never an oath they fear, shall spare no promise to promise.”
“Yet no sooner they sate all lewdness and lecherous fancy,”
“Nothing remember of words and reck they naught of fore-swearing.”
“Certes, you did I snatch from midmost whirlpool of ruin”
“Deadly, and held it cheap loss of a brother to suffer”
“Rather than fail your need (O false!) at hour the supremest.”
“Therefore my limbs are doomed to be torn of birds, and of ferals”
“Prey, nor shall upheapt Earth afford a grave to my body.”
“Say me, what lioness bare you ’neath lone rock of the desert?”
“What sea spued you conceived from out the spume of his surges!”
“What manner Syrt, what ravening Scylla, what vasty Charybdis?”
“you who for sweet life saved such meeds are lief of returning!”
“If never willed your breast with me to mate you in marriage,”
“Hating the savage law decreed by primitive parent,”
“Still of your competence ’twas within your household to home me,”
“Where I might serve as slave in gladsome service familiar,”
“Laving your snow-white feet in clearest chrystalline waters”
“Or with its purpling gear your couch in company strewing.”
“Yet for what cause should I complain in vain to the winds that unknow me,”
“(I so beside me with grief!) which ne’er of senses endued”
“Hear not the words sent forth nor aught avail they to answer?”
“Now be his course well-nigh engaged in midway of ocean,”
“Nor any mortal shape appears in barrens of sea-wrack.”
“Thus at the latest hour with insults over-sufficient”
“E’en to my plaints fere Fate begrudges ears that would hear me.”
“Jupiter! Lord of All-might, Oh would in days that are bygone”
“Ne’er had Cecropian poops toucht ground at Gnossian foreshore,”
“Nor to the unconquered Bull that tribute direful conveying”
“Had the false Seaman bound to Cretan island his hawser,”
“Nor had yon evil wight,’neath shape the softest hard purpose”
“Hiding, enjoyed repose within our mansion beguested!”
“Whither can wend I now? What hope lends help to the lost one?”
“Idomenean mounts shall I scale? Ah, parted by whirlpools”
“Widest, yon truculent main where yields it power of passage?”
“Aid of my sire can I crave? Whom I willing abandoned,”
“Treading in tracks of a youth bewrayed with blood of a brother!”
“Can I console my soul with the helpful love of a helpmate”
“Who flies me with pliant oars, flies overbounding the sea-depths?”
“Nay, if this Coast I quit, this lone isle lends me no roof-tree,”
“Nor aught issue allows begirt by billows of Ocean:”
“Nowhere is path for flight: none hope shows: all things are silent:”
“All be a desolate waste: all makes display of destruction.”
“Yet never close these eyes in latest languor of dying,”
“Ne’er from my wearied frame go forth slow-ebbing my senses,”
“Ere from the Gods just doom implore I, treason-betrayed,”
“And with my breath supreme firm faith of Celestials invoke I.”
“Therefore, O you who ’venge man’s deed with penalties direful,”
“Eumenides! aye wont to bind with viperous hairlocks”
“Foreheads,—Oh, deign outspeak fierce wrath from bosom outbreathing,”
“Hither, Oh hither, speed, and lend you all ear to my grievance,”
“Which now sad I (alas!) outpour from innermost vitals”
“Maugre my will, sans help, blind, fired with furious madness.”
“And, as indeed all spring from veriest core of my bosom,”
“Suffer you not the cause of grief and woe to evanish;”
“But with the Will wherewith could Theseus leave me in loneness,”
“Goddesses! bid that Will lead him, lead his, to destruction.”

> Latin: Peliaco quondam prognatae vertice pinus
dicuntur liquidas Neptuni nasse per undas
Phasidos ad fluctus et fines Aeeteos,
cum lecti iuvenes, Argivae robora pubis,
auratam optantes Colchis avertere pellem
ausi sunt vada salsa cita decurrere puppi,
caerula verrentes abiegnis aequora palmis.
diva quibus retinens in summis urbibus arces
ipsa levi fecit volitantem flamine currum,
pinea coniungens inflexae texta carinae.
illa rudem cursu prima imbuit Amphitriten.
quae simul ac rostro ventosum proscidit aequor
tortaque remigio spumis incanduit unda,
emersere freti candenti e gurgite vultus
aequoreae monstrum Nereides admirantes.
illa, siqua alia, viderunt luce marinas
mortales oculis nudato corpore nymphas
nutricum tenus exstantes e gurgite cano.
tum Thetidis Peleus incensus fertur amore,
tum Thetis humanos non despexit hymenaeos,
tum Thetidi pater ipse iugandum Pelea sensit.
o nimis optato saeclorum tempore nati
heroes, salvete, deum genus, o bona matrum
progenies, salvete iterum …
vos ego saepe meo, vos carmine compellabo,
teque adeo eximie taedis felicibus aucte
Thessaliae columen Peleu, cui Iuppiter ipse,
ipse suos divum genitor concessit amores.
tene Thetis tenuit pulcherrirma Nereine?
tene suam Tethys concessit ducere neptem
Oceanusque, mari totum qui amplectitur orbem?
quae simul optatae finito tempore luces
advenere, domum conventu tota frequentat
Thessalia, oppletur laetanti regia coetu:
dona ferunt prae se, declarant gaudia vultu.
deseritur Cieros, linquunt Phthiotica Tempe
Crannonisque domos ac moenia Larisaea,
Pharsalum coeunt, Pharsalia tecta frequentant.
rura colit nemo, mollescunt colla iuvencis,
non humilis curvis purgatur vinea rastris,
non glaebam prono convellit vomere taurus,
non falx attenuat frondatorum arboris umbram,
squalida desertis robigo infertur aratris.
ipsius at sedes, quacumque opulenta recessit
regia, fulgenti splendent auro atque argento.
candet ebur soliis, conlucent pocula mensae,
tota domus gaudet regali splendida gaza.
pulvinar vero divae geniale locatur
sedibus in mediis, Indo quod dente politum
tincta tegit roseo conchyli purpura fuco.
haec vestis priscis hominum variata figuris
heroum mira virtutes indicat arte.
namque fluentisono prospectans litore Diae
Thesea cedentem celeri cum classe tuetur
indomitos in corde gerens Ariadna furores,
necdum etiam sese quae visit visere credit,
ut pote fallaci quae tunc primum excita somno
desertam in sola miseram se cernat harena.
immemor at iuvenis fugiens pellit vada remis,
irrita ventosae linquens promissa procellae.
quem procul ex alga maestis Minois ocellis
saxea ut effigies bacchantis prospicit, eheu,
prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis,
non flavo retinens subtilem vertice mitram,
non contecta levi velatum pectus amictu,
non tereti strophio lactentis vincta papillas,
omnia quae toto delapsa e corpore passim
ipsius ante pedes fluctus salis adludebant.
sic neque tum mitrae neque tum fluitantis amictus
illa vicem curans toto ex te pectore, Theseu,
toto animo, tota pendebat perdita mente.
ah misera, adsiduis quam luctibus exsternavit
spinosas Erycina serens in pectore curas
illa tempestate, ferox quo ex tempore Theseus
egressus curvis e litoribus Piraei
attigit iniusti regis Gortynia tecta.
nam perhibent olim crudeli peste coactam
Androgeoneae poenas exsolvere caedis
electos iuvenes simul et decus innuptarum
Cecropiam solitam esse dapem dare Minotauro.
quis angusta malis cum moenia vexarentur,
ipse suum Theseus pro caris corpus Athenis
proicere optavit potius quam talia Cretam
funera Cecropiae nec funera portarentur.
atque ita nave levi nitens ac lenibus auris
magnanimum ad Minoa venit sedesque superbas.
hunc simul ac cupido conspexit lumine virgo
regia, quam suavis exspirans castus odores
lectulus in molli complexu matris alebat,
quales Eurotae progignunt flumina myrtos
aurave distinctos educit verna colores,
non prius ex illo flagrantia declinavit
lumina quam cuncto concepit corpore flammam
funditus atque imis exarsit tota medullis.
heu misere exagitans immiti corde furores,
sancte puer, curis hominum qui gaudia misces,
quaeque regis Golgos quaeque Idalium frondosum,
qualibus incensam iactastis mente puellam
fluctibus in flavo saepe hospite suspirantem!
quantos illa tulit languenti corde timores,
quanto saepe magis fulgore expalluit auri,
cum saevum cupiens contra contendere monstrum
aut mortem appeteret Theseus aut praemia laudis.
non ingrata tamen frustra munuscula divis
promittens tacito succendit vota labello.
nam velut in summo quatientem bracchia Tauro
quercum aut conigeram sudanti cortice pinum
indomitus turbo contorquens flamine robur
eruit (illa procul radicitus exturbata
prona cadit, † lateque cum eius obvia frangens),
sic domito saevum prostravit corpore Theseus
nequiquam vanis iactantem cornua ventis.
inde pedem sospes multa cum laude reflexit
errabunda regens tenui vestigia filo,
ne labyrintheis e flexibus egredientem
tecti frustraretur inobservabilis error.
sed quid ego a primo digressus carmine plura
commemorem, ut linquens genitoris filia vultum,
ut consanguineae complexum, ut denique matris,
quae misera in gnata deperdita laetabatur,
omnibus his Thesei dulcem praeoptarit amorem,
aut ut vecta rati spumosa ad litora Diae
venerit, aut ut eam devinctam lumina somno
liquerit immemori discedens pectore coniunx?
saepe illam perhibent ardenti corde furentem
clarisonas imo fudisse ex pectore voces,
ac tum praeruptos tristem conscendere montes
unde aciem in pelagi vastos protenderet aestus,
tum tremuli salis adversas procurrere in undas
mollia nudatae tollentem tegmina surae,
atque haec extremis maestam dixisse querelis,
frigidulos udo singultus ore cientem:
“sicine me patriis avectam, perfide, ab aris,”
“perfide, deserto liquisti in litore, Theseu?”
“sicine discedens neglecto numine divum”
“immernor ah devota domum periuria portas?”
“nullane res potuit crudelis flectere mentis”
“consilium? tibi nulla fuit clementia praesto”
“immite ut nostri vellet miserescere pectus?”
“at non haec quondam blanda promissa dedisti”
“voce mihi, non haec miserae sperare iubebas,”
“sed conubia laeta, sed optatos hymenaeos:”
“quae cuncta aerii discerpunt irrita venti.”
“nunc iam nulla viro iuranti femina credat,”
“nulla viri speret sermones esse fideles:”
“quis dum aliquid cupiens animus praegestit apisci,”
“nil metuunt iurare, nihil promittere parcunt:”
“sed simul ac cupidae mentis satiata libido est,”
“dicta nihil meminere, nihil periuria curant.”
“certe ego te in medio versantem turbine leti”
“eripui et potius germanum amittere crevi”
“quam tibi fallaci supremo in tempore deessem:”
“pro quo dilaceranda feris dabor alitibusque”
“praeda neque iniecta tumulabor mortua terra.”
“quaenam te genuit sola sub rupe leaena,”
“quod mare conceptum spumantibus exspuit undis.”
“quae Syrtis, quae Scylla rapax, quae vasta Charybdis,”
“talia qui reddis pro dulci praemia vita?”
“si tibi non cordi fuerant conubia nostra,”
“saeva quod horrebas prisci praecepta parentis,”
“at tamen in vestras potuisti ducere sedes”
“quae tibi iucundo famularer serva labore”
“candida permulcens liquidis vestigia lymphis”
“purpureave tuum constemens veste cubile.”
“sed quid ego ignaris nequiquam conqueror auris”
“exsternata malo, quae nullis sensibus auctae”
“nec missas audire queunt nec reddere voces?”
“ille autem prope iam mediis versatur in undis,”
“nec quisquam adparet vacua mortalis in alga.”
“sic nimis insultans extremo tempore saeva”
“fors etiam nostris invidit questibus auris.”
“Iuppiter omnipotens, utinam ne tempore primo”
“Gnosia Cecropiae tetigissent litora puppes,”
“indomito nec dira ferens stipendia tauro”
“perfidus in Creta religasset navita funem,”
“nec malus hic celans dulci crudelia forma”
“consilia in nostris requiesset sedibus hospes!”
“nam quo me referam? quali spe perdita nitor?”
“Idaeosne petam montes? ah, gurgite lato”
“discernens ponti truculentum ubi dividit aequor?”
“an patris auxilium sperem, quemne ipsa reliqui”
“respersum iuvenem fraterna caede secuta?”
“coniugis an fido consoler memet amore,”
“quine fugit lentos incurvans gurgite remos?”
“praeterea nullo litus, sola insula, tecto,”
“nec patet egressus pelagi cingentibus undis:”
“nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: omnia muta,”
“omnia sunt deserta, ostentant omnia letum.”
“non tamen ante mihi languescent lumina morte,”
“nec prius a fesso secedent corpore sensus”
“quam iustam a divis exposcam prodita multam”
“caelestumque fidem postrema comprecer hora.”
“quare, facta virum multantes vindice poena”
“Eumenides, quibus anguino redimita capillo”
“frons exspirantis praeportat pectoris iras,”
“huc huc adventate, meas audite querelas,”
“quas ego, vae miserae, extremis proferre medullis”
“cogor inops, ardens, amenti caeca furore.”

## 3. Poems 64–67

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/3/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/3/#p-N

[¶0] E’en as she thus poured forth these words from anguish of bosom,
And for this cruel deed, distracted, sued she for vengeance,
Nodded the Ruler of Gods Celestial, matchless of All-might,
When at the gest earth-plain and horrid spaces of ocean
Trembled, and every sphere rockt stars and planets resplendent.
Meanwhile Theseus himself, obscured in blindness of darkness
As to his mind, dismiss’d from breast oblivious all things
Erewhile enjoined and held hereto in memory constant,
Nor for his saddened sire the gladness-signals uphoisting
Heralded safe return within sight of the Erechthean harbour.
For ’twas told of yore, when from walls of the Virginal Deess
Aegeus speeding his son, to the care of breezes committed,
Thus with a last embrace to the youth spoke words of commandment:

> Latin: “quae quoniam verae nascuntur pectore ab imo,”
“vos nolite pati nostrum vanescere luctum,”
“sed quali solam Theseus me mente reliquit,”
“tali mente, deae, funestet seque suosque.”
has postquam maesto profudit pectore voces
supplicium saevis exposcens anxia factis,
adnuit invicto caelestum numine rector,
quo nutu tellus atque horrida contremuerunt
aequora concussitque micantia sidera mundus.

[¶1] “Son! far nearer my heart (you alone) than life of the longest,”
“Son, I perforce dismiss to doubtful, dangerous chances,”
“Lately restored to me when eld draws nearest his ending,”
“Since such fortune in me, and in you such boiling of valour”
“Tear you away from me so loath, whose eyes in their languor”
“Never are sated with sight of my son, all-dearest of figures.”
“Nor will I send you forth with joy that gladdens my bosom,”
“Nor will I suffer you show boon signs of favouring Fortune,”
“But from my soul I’ll first express an issue of sorrow,”
“Soiling my hoary hairs with dust and ashes commingled;”
“Then will I hang stained sails fast-made to the wavering yard-arms,”
“So shall our mourning thought and burning torture of spirit”
“Show by the dark sombre-dye of Iberian canvas spread.”
“But, grant me the grace Who dwells in Sacred Itone,”
“(And our issue to guard and ward the seats of Erechtheus”
“Sware She) that if your right is besprent with blood of the Man-Bull,”
“Then do you so-wise act, and stored in memory’s heart-core”
“Dwell these mandates of me, no time their traces untracing.”
“Dip, when first shall arise our hills to gladden your eye-glance,”
“Down from your every mast the ill-omened vestments of mourning,”
“Then let the twisten ropes upheave the whitest of canvas,”
“Wherewith splendid shall gleam the tallest spars of the top-mast,”
“These seeing sans delay with joy exalting my spirit”
“Well shall I wot boon Time sets you returning before me.”

> Latin: ipse autem caeca mentem caligine Theseus
consitus oblito dimisit pectore cuncta
quae mandata prius constanti mente tenebat,
dulcia nec maesto sustollens signa parenti
sospitem Erechtheum se ostendit visere portum
namque ferunt olim, classi cum moenia divae
linquentem gnatum ventis concrederet Aegeus,
talia complexum iuveni mandata dedisse:
“gnate mihi longe iucundior unice vita,”
“gnate, ego quem in dubios cogor dimittere casus”
“reddite in extrema nuper mihi fine senectae,”
“quandoquidem fortuna mea ac tua fervida virtus”
“eripit invito mihi te, cui languida nondum”
“lumina sunt gnati cara saturata figura,”
“non ego te gaudens laetanti pectore mittam,”
“nec te ferre sinam fortunae signa secundae,”
“sed primum multas expromam mente querelas”
“canitiem terra atque infuso pulvere foedans,”
“inde infecta vago suspendam lintea malo,”
“nostros ut luctus nostraeque incendia mentis”
“carbasus obscurata decet ferrugine Hibera.”
“quod tibi si sancti concesserit incola Itoni,”
“quae nostrum genus ac sedes defendere Erechthei”
“adnuit, ut tauri respergas sanguine dextram,”
“tum vero facito ut memori tibi condita corde”
“haec vigeant mandata, nec ulla oblitteret aetas,”
“ut simul ac nostros invisent lumina collis,”
“funestam antennae deponant undique vestem”
“candidaque intorti sustollant vela rudentes,”
“quam primum cernens ut laeta gaudia mente”
“agnoscam, cum te reducem aetas prospera sistet.”

[¶2] Such were the mandates which stored at first in memory constant
Faded from Theseus’ mind like mists, compelled by the whirlwind,
Fleet from aerial crests of mountains hoary with snow-drifts.
But as the sire had sought the citadel’s summit for outlook,
Wasting his anxious eyes with tear-floods evermore flowing,
Forthright e’en as he saw the sail-gear darkened with dye-stain,
Headlong himself flung he from the sea-cliff’s pinnacled summit
Holding his Theseus lost by doom of pitiless Fortune.
Thus as he came to the home funest, his roof-tree paternal,
Theseus (vaunting the death), what dule to the maiden of Minos
Dealt with unminding mind so dree’d he similar dolour.
She too gazing in grief at the kelson vanishing slowly,
Self-wrapt, manifold cares revolved in spirit perturbed.
But from the further side came flitting bright-faced Iacchus
Girded by Satyr-crew and Nysa-reared Sileni
Burning with love unto thee (Ariadne!) and greeting thy presence.
…
Who flocking eager to fray did rave with infuriate spirit,
“Evoe” frenzying loud, with heads at “Evoe” rolling.
Brandisht some of the maids their thyrsi sheathed of spear-point,
Some snatcht limbs and joints of sturlings rended to pieces,
These girt necks and waists with writhing bodies of vipers,
Those with the gear enwombed in crates dark orgies ordained—
Orgies that ears profane must vainly lust for o’er hearing—
Others with palms on high smote hurried strokes on the cymbal,
Or from the polisht brass woke thin-toned tinkling music,
While from the many there boomed and blared hoarse blast of the horn-trump,
And with its horrid skirl loud shrilled the barbarous bag-pipe
Showing such varied forms, that richly-decorated couch-cloth
Folded in strait embrace the bedding drapery-veiled.
This when the Thessalan youths had eyed with eager inspection
Fulfilled, place they began to provide for venerate Godheads,
Even as Zephyrus’ breath, seas couching placid at dawn-tide,
Roughens, then stings and spurs the wavelets slantingly fretted—
Rising Aurora the while ’neath Sol the wanderer’s threshold—
Tardy at first they flow by the clement breathing of breezes
Urged, and echo the shores with soft-toned ripples of laughter,
But as the winds wax high so waves wax higher and higher,
Flashing and floating afar to outswim morn’s purpurine splendours,—
So did the crowd fare forth, the royal vestibule leaving,
And to their house each wight with vaguing paces departed.
After their wending, the first, foremost from Pelion’s summit,
Chiron came to the front with woodland presents surcharged:
Whatso of blooms and flowers bring forth Thessalian uplands
Mighty with mountain crests, whate’er of riverine lea flowers
Reareth Favonius’ air, bud-breeding, tepidly breathing,
All in his hands brought he, unseparate in woven garlands,
Whereat laughed the house as soothed by pleasure of perfume.
Presently Péneus appears, deserting verdurous Tempe—
Tempe girt by her belts of greenwood ever impending,
Left for the Mamonides with frequent dances to worship—
Nor is he empty of hand, for bears he tallest of beeches
Deracinate, and bays with straight boles lofty and stately,
Not without nodding plane-tree nor less the flexible sister
Fire-slain Phaëton left, and not without cypresses airy.
These in a line wide-broke set he, the Mansion surrounding,
So by the soft leaves screened, the porch might flourish in verdure.
Follows hard on his track with active spirit Prometheus,
Bearing extenuate sign of penalties suffer’d in by-gones.
Paid erewhiles what time fast-bound as to every member,
Hung he in carkanet slung from the Scythian rocktor.
Last did the Father of Gods with his sacred spouse and his offspring,
Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phoebus) in loneness,
Lone wi’ thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus:
For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus,
Nor Thetis’ nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence.
When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing,
Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht.
But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance
Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.
Robed were their tremulous frames all o’er in muffle of garments
Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges;
Snowy the fillets that bound heads aged by many a year-tide,
And, as their wont aye was, their hands plied labour unceasing.
Each in her left upheld with soft fleece clothed a distaff,
Then did the right that drew forth thread with upturn of fingers
Gently fashion the yarn which deftly twisted by thumb-ball
Speeded the spindle poised by thread-whorl perfect of polish;
Thus as the work was wrought, the lengths were trimmed wi’ the fore-teeth,
While to their thin, dry lips stuck wool-flecks severed by biting,
Which at the first outstood from yarn-hanks evenly fine-drawn.
Still at their feet in front soft fleece-flecks white as the snow-flake
Lay in the trusty guard of wickers woven in withies.
Always a-carding the wool, with clear-toned voices resounding
Told they such lots as these in song divinely directed,
Chaunts which none after-time shall ’stablish falsehood-convicted.
O who by virtues great all highmosthonours enhancest,
Guard of Emáthia-land, most famous made by thine offspring,
Take what the Sisters deign this gladsome day to disclose thee,
Oracles soothfast told,—And ye, by Destiny followed,
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
Soon to thy sight shall rise, their fond hopes bringing to bridegrooms,
Hesperus: soon shall come thy spouse with planet auspicious,
Who shall thy mind enbathe with a love that softens the spirit,
And as thyself shall prepare for sinking in languorous slumber,
Under thy neck robust, soft arms dispreading as pillow.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
Never a house like this such loves as these hath united,
Never did love conjoin by such-like covenant lovers,
As th’according tie Thetis deigned in concert wi’ Peleus.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
Born of yon twain shall come Achilles guiltless of fear-sense,
Known by his forceful breast and ne’er by back to the foeman,
Who shall at times full oft in doubtful contest of race-course
Conquer the fleet-foot doe with slot-tracks smoking and burning.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
None shall with him compare, howe’er war-doughty a hero,
Whenas the Phrygian rills flow deep with bloodshed of Teucer,
And beleaguering the walls of Troy with longest of warfare
He shall the works lay low, third heir of Pelops the perjured.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
His be the derring-do and deeds of valour egregious,
Often mothers shall own at funeral-rites of their children,
What time their hoary hairs from head in ashes are loosened,
And wi’ their hands infirm thay smite their bosoms loose duggèd.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
For as the toiling hind bestrewing denseness of corn-stalks
Under the broiling sun mows grain-fields yellow to harvest,
So shall his baneful brand strew earth with corpses of Troy-born.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
Aye to his valorous worth attest shall wave of Scamander
Which unto Hellè-Sea fast flowing ever dischargeth,
Straiter whose course shall grow by up-heaped barrage of corpses,
While in his depths runs warm his stream with slaughter commingled.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
Witness in fine shall be the victim rendered to death-stroke,
Whenas the earthern tomb on lofty tumulus builded
Shall of the stricken maid receive limbs white as the snow-flake.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
For when at last shall Fors to weary Achaians her fiat
Deal, of Dardanus-town to burst Neptunian fetters,
Then shall the high-reared tomb stand bathed with Polyxena’s life-blood,
Who, as the victim doomed to fall by the double-edged falchion,
Forward wi’ hams relaxt shall smite a body beheaded.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
Wherefore arise, ye pair, conjoin loves ardently longed-for,
Now doth the groom receive with happiest omen his goddess,
Now let the bride at length to her yearning spouse be delivered.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
Neither the nurse who comes at dawn to visit her nursling
E’er shall avail her neck to begird with yesterday’s ribband.
[Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O spindles.]
Nor shall the mother’s soul for ill-matcht daughter a-grieving
Lose by a parted couch all hopes of favourite grandsons.
Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.
Thus in the bygone day Peleus’ fate foretelling
Chaunted from breasts divine prophetic verse the Parcae.
For that the pure chaste homes of heroes to visit in person
Oft-tide the Gods, and themselves to display where mortals were gathered,
Wont were the Heavenlies while none human piety spurned.
Often the Deities’ Sire, in fulgent temple a-dwelling,
Whenas in festal days received he his annual worship,
Looked upon hundreds of bulls felled prone on pavement before him.
Full oft Liber who roamed from topmost peak of Parnassus
Hunted his howling host, his Thyiads with tresses dishevelled.
Then with contending troops from all their city outflocking
Gladly the Delphians hailed their God with smoking of altars.
Often in death-full war and bravest of battle, or Mavors
Or rapid Triton’s Queen or eke the Virgin Rhamnusian,
Bevies of weaponed men exhorting, proved their presence.
But from the time when earth was stained with unspeakable scandals
And forth fro’ greeding breasts of all men justice departed,
Then did the brother drench his hands in brotherly bloodshed,
Stinted the son in heart to mourn decease of his parents,
Longèd the sire to sight his first-born’s funeral convoy
So more freely the flower of step-dame-maiden to rifle;
After that impious Queen her guiltless son underlying,
Impious, the household gods with crime ne’er dreading to sully—
All things fair and nefand being mixt in fury of evil
Turned from ourselves avert the great goodwill of the Godheads.
Wherefor they nowise deign our human assemblies to visit,
Nor do they suffer themselves be met in light of the day-tide.

> Latin: haec mandata prius constanti mente tenentem
Thesea ceu pulsae ventorum flamine nubes
aerium nivei montis liquere cacumen.
at pater, ut summa prospectum ex arce petebat
anxia in adsiduos absumens lumina fletus,
cum primum inflati conspexit lintea veli,
praecipitem sese scopulorum e vertice iecit
amissum credens immiti Thesea fato.
sic funesta domus ingressus tecta paterna
morte ferox Theseus, qualem Minoidi luctu
obtulerat mente immemori, talem ipse recepit.
quae tum prospectans cedentem maesta carinam
multiplices animo volvebat saucia curas.
at parte ex alia florens volitabat Iacchus
cum thiaso satyrorum et Nysigenis silenis
te quaerens, Ariadna, tuoque incensus arnore.
…
quae tum alacres passim lymphata mente furebant
euhoe bacchantes, euhoe capita inflectentes.
harum pars tecta quatiebant cuspide thyrsos,
pars e divulso iactabant membra iuvenco,
pars sese tortis serpentibus incingebant,
pars obscura cavis celebrabant orgia cistis,
orgia quae frustra cupiunt audire profani,
plangebant aliae proceris tympana palmis
aut tereti tenuis tinnitus aere ciebant,
multis raucisonos efflabant cornua bombos
barbaraque horribili stridebat tibia cantu.
talibus amplifice vestis decorata figuris
pulvinar complexa suo velabat amictu.
quae postquam cupide spectando Thessala pubes
expleta est, sanctis coepit decedere divis.
hic, qualis flatu placidum mare matutino
horrificans Zephyrus proclivas incitat undas
aurora exoriente vagi sub limina solis,
quae tarde primum clementi flamine pulsae
procedunt, leviterque sonant plangore cachinni,
post vento crescente magis magis increbescunt
purpureaque procul nantes ab luce refulgent,
sic tum vestibuli linquentes regia tecta
ad se quisque vago passim pede discedebant.
quorum post abitum princeps e vertice Peli
advenit Chiron portans silvestria dona:
nam quoscumque ferunt campi, quos Thessala magnis
montibus ora creat, quos propter fluminis undas
aura parit flores tepidi fecunda Favoni,
hos indistinctis plexos tulit ipse corollis,
quo permulsa domus iucundo risit odore.
confestim Penios adest, viridantia Tempe,
Tempe quae silvae cingunt super impendentes,
naiasin linquens Doris celebranda choreis,
non vacuus: namque ille tulit radicitus altas
fagos ac recto proceras stipite laurus,
non sine nutanti platano lentaque sorore
flammati Phaethontis et aeria cupressu.
haec circum sedes late contexta locavit,
vestibulum ut molli velatum fronde vireret.
post hunc consequitur sollerti corde Prometheus
extenuata gerens veteris vestigia poenae
quam quondam silici restrictus membra catena
persolvit pendens e verticibus praeruptis.
inde pater divum sancta cum coniuge natisque
advenit, caelo te solum, Phoebe, relinquens
unigenamque simul cultricem montibus Idri:
Pelea nam tecum pariter soror adspernata est
nec Thetidis taedas voluit celebrare iugalis.
qui postquam niveis flexerunt sedibus artus,
large multiplici constructae sunt dape mensae,
cum interea infirmo quatientes corpora motu
veridicos Parcae coeperunt edere cantus.
his corpus tremulum complectens undique vestis
candida purpurea talos incinxerat ora,
at roseae niveo residebant vertice vittae,
aeternumque manus carpebant rite laborem.
laeva colum molli lana retinebat amictum,
dextera tum leviter deducens fila supinis
formabat digitis, tum prono in pollice torquens
libratum tereti versabat turbine fusum,
atque ita decerpens aequabat semper opus dens,
laneaque aridulis haerebant morsa labellis
quae prius in levi fuerant exstantia filo.
ante pedes autem candentis mollia lanae
vellera virgati custodibant calathisci.
haec tum clarisona vellentes vellera voce
talia divino fuderunt carmine fata,
carmine perfidiae quod post nulla arguet aetas:
“o decus eximium magnis virtutibus augens,”
“Emathiae tutamen opis, clarissime nato,”
“accipe quod laeta tibi pandunt luce sorores,”
“veridicum oraclum. sed vos, quae fata secuntur,”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“adveniet tibi iam portans optata maritis”
“Hesperus, adveniet fausto cum sidere coniunx,”
“quae tibi flexanimo mentem perfundat amore”
“languidulosque paret tecum coniungere somnos”
“levia substernens robusto bracchia collo.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“nulla domus tales unquam contexit amores,”
“nullus amor tali coniunxit foedere amantes”
“qualis adest Thetidi, qualis concordia Peleo.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“nascetur vobis expers terroris Achilles,”
“hostibus haud tergo, sed forti pectore notus,”
“qui persaepe vago victor certamine cursus”
“flammea praevertet celeris vestigia cervae.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“non illi quisquam bello se conferet heros,”
“cum Phrygii Teucro manabunt sanguine campi”
“Troicaque obsidens longinquo moenia bello”
“periuri Pelopis vastabit tertius heres.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“illius egregias virtutes claraque facta”
“saepe fatebuntur gnatorum in funere matres,”
“cum incultum cano solvent a vertice crinem”
“putridaque infirmis variabunt pectora palmis.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“namque velut densas praecerpens messor aristas”
“sole sub ardenti flaventia demetit arva,”
“Troiugenum infesto prosternet corpora ferro.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“testis erit magnis virtutibus unda Scamandri,”
“quae passim rapido diffunditur Hellesponto,”
“cuius iter caesis angustans corporum acervis”
“alta tepefaciet permixta flumina caede.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“denique testis erit morti quoque reddita praeda”
“cum teres excelso coacervatum aggere bustum”
“excipiet niveos percussae virginis artus.”
“Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“nam simul ac fessis dederit fors copiam Achivis”
“urbis Dardaniae Neptunia solvere vincla,”
“alta Polyxenia madefient caede sepulcra,”
“quae, velut ancipiti succumbens victima ferro,”
“proiciet truncum submisso poplite corpus.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“quare agite optatos animi coniungite amores.”
“accipiat coniunx felici foedere divam,”
“dedatur cupido iam dudum nupta marito.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
“non illam nutrix orienti luce revisens”
“hesterno collum poterit circumdare filo”
“(currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi),”
“anxia nec mater discordis maesta puellae”
“secubitu caros mittet sperare nepotes.”
“currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
talia praefantes quondam felicia Pelei
carmina divino cecinerunt pectore Parcae.
praesentes namque ante domos invisere castas
heroum et sese mortali ostendere coetu
caelicolae nondum spreta pietate solebant.
saepe pater divum templo in fulgente, revisens
annua cum festis venissent sacra diebus,
conspexit terra centum procumbere tauros.
saepe vagus Liber Parnasi vertice summo
Thyiadas effusis euantis crinibus egit,
cum Delphi tota certatim ex urbe ruentes
acciperent laeti divum fumantibus aris.
saepe in letifero belli certamine Mavors
aut rapidi Tritonis era aut Rhamnusia virgo
armatas hominum est praesens hortata catervas.
sed postquam tellus scelere est imbuta nefando,
iustitiamque omnes cupida de mente fugarunt,
perfudere manus fraterno sanguine fratres,
destitit exstinctos natus lugere parentes,
optavit genitor primaevi funera nati
Liber ut innuptae poteretur flore novercae,
ignaro mater substernens se impia nato
impia non verita est divos scelerare parentes,
omnia fanda nefanda malo permixta furore
iustificam nobis mentem avertere deorum.
quare nec talis dignantur visere coetus
nec se contingi patiuntur lumine claro.

[¶3] Albeit care that consumes, with dule assiduous grieving,
Me from the Learnèd Maids (Hortalus!) ever seclude,
Nor can avail sweet births of the Muses thou to deliver
Thought o’ my mind; (so much floats it on flooding of ills:
For that the Lethe-wave upsurging of late from abysses,
Lavèd my brother’s foot, paling with pallor of death,
He whom the Trojan soil, Rhoetean shore underlying,
Buries for ever and aye, forcibly snatched from our sight.
…
I can address; no more shall I hear thee tell of thy doings,
Say, shall I never again, brother all liefer than life,
Sight thee henceforth? But I will surely love thee for ever
Ever what songs I sing saddened shall be by thy death;
Such as the Daulian bird ’neath gloom of shadowy frondage
Warbles, of Itys lost ever bemoaning the lot.)
Yet amid grief so great to thee, my Hortalus, send I
These strains sung to a mode borrowed from Battiades;
Lest shouldest weet of me thy words, to wandering wind-gusts
Vainly committed, perchance forth of my memory flowed—
As did that apple sent for a furtive giftie by wooer,
In the chaste breast of the Maid hidden a-sudden out-sprang;
For did the hapless forget when in loose-girt garment it lurkèd,
Forth would it leap as she rose, scared by her mother’s approach,
And while coursing headlong, it rolls far out of her keeping,
O’er the triste virgin’s brow flushes the conscious blush.

> Latin: Etsi me adsiduo defectum cura dolore
sevocat a doctis, Ortale, virginibus,
nec potis est dulcis Musarum expromere fetus
mens animi: tantis fluctuat ipsa malis,—
namque mei nuper Lethaeo gurgite fratris
pallidulum manans adluit unda pedem,
Troia Rhoeteo quem subter litore tellus
Ereptum nostris obterit ex oculis.
…
nunquam ego te vita frater amabilior
adspiciam posthac: at certe semper amabo,
semper maesta tua carmina morte canam,
qualia sub densis ramorum concinit umbris
Daulias absumpti fata gemens Ityli,—
sed tamen in tantis maeroribus, Ortale, mitto
haec expressa tibi carmina Battiadae,
ne tua dicta vagis nequiquam credita ventis
effluxisse meo forte putes animo,
ut missum sponsi furtivo munere malum
procurrit casto virginis e gremio,
quod miserae oblitae molli sub veste locatum,
dum adventu matris prosilit, excutitur;
atque illud prono praeceps agitur decursu,
huic manat tristi conscius ore rubor.

[¶4] He who every light of the sky world’s vastness inspected,
He who mastered in mind risings and settings of stars,
How of the fast rising sun obscured be the fiery splendours,
How at the seasons assured vanish the planets from view,
How Diana to lurk thief-like ’neath Latmian stone-fields,
Summoned by sweetness of Love, comes from her aëry gyre;
That same Cónon espied among lights Celestial shining
Me, Berenice’s Hair, which, from her glorious head,
Fulgent in brightness afar, to many a host of the Godheads
Stretching her soft smooth arms she vowed to devoutly bestow,
What time strengthened by joy of new-made wedlock the monarch
Bounds of Assyrian land hurried to plunder and pill;
Bearing of nightly strife new signs and traces delicious,
Won in the war he waged virginal trophies to win.
Loathsome is Venus to all new-paired? Else why be the parents’
Pleasure frustrated aye by the false flow of tears
Poured in profusion amid illuminate genial chamber?
Nay not real the ’groans; ever so help me the Gods!
This truth taught me my Queen by force of manifold ’plainings
After her new groom hied facing the fierceness of fight.
Yet so thou mournedst not for a bed deserted of husband,
As for a brother beloved wending on woefullest way?
How was the marrow of thee consumedly wasted by sorrow!
So clean forth of thy breast, rackt with solicitous care,
Mind fled, sense being reft! But I have known thee for certain
E’en from young virginal years lofty of spirit to be.
Hast thou forgotten the feat whose greatness won thee a royal
Marriage—a deed so prow, never a prower was dared?
Yet how sad was the speech thou spakest, thy husband farewelling!
(Jupiter!) Often thine eyes wiping with sorrowful hand!
What manner God so great thus changed thee? Is it that lovers
Never will tarry afar parted from person beloved?
Then unto every God on behalf of thy helpmate, thy sweeting,
Me thou gayest in vow, not without bloodshed of bulls,
If he be granted return, and long while nowise delaying,
Captive Asia he add unto Egyptian bounds.
Now for such causes I, enrolled in host of the Heavens,
By a new present, discharge promise thou madest of old:
Maugrè my will, O Queen, my place on thy head I relinquished,
Maugrè my will, I attest, swearing by thee and thy head;
Penalty due shall befall whoso makes oath to no purpose.
Yet who assumes the vaunt forceful as iron to be?
E’en was that mount o’erthrown, though greatest in universe, where through
Thía’s illustrious race speeded its voyage to end,
Whenas the Medes brought forth new sea, and barbarous youth-hood
Urged an Armada to swim traversing middle-Athos.
What can be done by Hair when such things yield them to Iron?
Jupiter! Grant Chalybon perish the whole of the race,
Eke who in primal times ore seeking under the surface
Showed th’ example, and spalled iron however so hard.
Shortly before I was shorn my sister tresses bewailèd
Lot of me, e’en as the sole brother to Memnon the Black,
Winnowing upper air wi’ feathers flashing and quiv’ring,
Chloris’ wing-borne steed, came before Arsinoë,
Whence upraising myself he flies through aëry shadows,
And in chaste Venus’ breast drops he the present he bears.
Eke Zephyritis had sent, for the purpose trusted, her bondsman,
Settler of Grecian strain on the Canopian strand.
So willed various Gods, lest sole ’mid lights of the Heavens
Should Ariadne’s crown taken from temples of her
Glitter in gold, but we not less shine fulgent in splendour,
We the consecrate spoils shed by a blond-hued head,
Even as weeping-wet sought I the fanes of Celestials
Placed me the Goddess a new light amid star-lights of old:
For with Virgo in touch and joining the furious Lion’s
Radiance with Callisto, maid of Lyc´on beloved,
Wind I still to the west, conducting tardy Boötes,
Who unwilling and slow must into Ocean merge.
Yet though press me o’night the pacing footprints of Godheads,
Tethys, hoary of hair, ever regains me by day.
(Lend me thy leave to speak such words, Rhamnusian Virgin,
Verities like unto these never in fear will I veil;
Albeit every star asperse me with enemy’s censure,
Secrets in soothfast heart hoarded perforce I reveal.)
Nowise gladdens me so this state as absence torments me,
Absence doomëd for aye ta’en fro’ my mistress’s head,
Where I was wont (though she such cares unknew in her girlhood)
Many a thousand scents, Syrian unguents, to sip.
Now do you pair conjoined by the longed-for light of the torches,
Earlier yield not selves unto unanimous wills
Nor wi’ the dresses doft your barèd nipples encounter,
Ere shall yon onyx-vase pour me libations glad,
Onyx yours, ye that seek only rights of virtuous bed-rite.
But who yieldeth herself unto advowtry impure,
Ah! may her loathed gifts in light dust uselessly soak,
For of unworthy sprite never a gift I desire.
Rather, O new-mated brides, be concord aye your companion,
Ever let constant love dwell in the dwellings of you.
Yet when thou sightest, O Queen, the Constellations, I pray thee,
Every festal day Venus the Goddess appease;
Nor of thy unguent-gifts allow myself to be lacking,
Nay, do thou rather add largeliest increase to boons.
Would but the stars down fall! Could I of my Queen be the hair-lock,
Neighbour to Hydrochois e’en let Oarion shine.

> Latin: Omnia qui magni dispexit lumina mundi,
qui stellarum ortus comperit atque obitus,
flammeus ut rapidi solis nitor obscuretur,
ut cedant certis sidera temporibus,
ut Triviam furtim sub Latmia saxa relegans
dulcis amor gyro devocet aerio,
idem me ille Conon caelesti in lumine vidit
e Bereniceo vertice caesariem
fulgentem clare, quam cunctis illa deorum
levia protendens bracchia pollicita est,
qua rex tempestate novo auctus hymenaeo
vastatum finis iuerat Assyrios,
dulcia nocturnae portans vestigia rixae
quam de virgineis gesserat exuviis.
estne novis nuptis odio Venus, atque parentum
frustrantur falsis gaudia lacrimulis
ubertim thalami quas intra limina fundunt?
non, ita me divi vera gemunt, iuerint.
id mea me multis docuit regina querelis
invisente novo proelia torva viro.
at tu non orbum luxti deserta cubile,
sed fratris cari flebile discidium?
quam penitus maestas exedit cura medullas!
ut tibi tunc toto pectore sollicitae
sensibus ereptis mens excidit! at te ego certe
cognoram a parva virgine magnanimam.
anne bonum oblita es facinus, quo regium adepta es
coniugium, quod non fortior ausit alis?
sed tum maesta virum mittens quae verba locuta es!
Iuppiter, ut tristi lumina saepe manu!
quis te mutavit tantus deus? an quod amantes
non longe a caro corpore abesse volunt?
atque ibi me cunctis pro dulci coniuge divis
non sine taurino sanguine pollicita es,
si reditum tetulisset. is haud in tempore longo
captam Asiam Aegypti finibus addiderat.
quis ego pro factis caelesti reddita coetu
pristina vota novo munere dissolvo.
invita, o regina, tuo de vertice cessi,
invita: adiuro teque tuumque caput:
digna ferat quod si quis inaniter adiurarit:
sed qui se ferro postulet esse parem?
ille quoque eversus mons est quem maximum in oris
progenies Thiae clara supervehitur,
cum Medi peperere novum mare, cumque inventus
per medium classi barbara navit Athon.
quid facient crines, cum ferro talia cedant?
Iuppiter, ut Chalybon omne genus pereat,
et qui principio sub terra quaerere venas
institit ac ferri fingere duritiem!
abiunctae paulo ante comae mea fata sorores
lugebant, cum se Memnonis Aethiopis
unigena impellens nutantibus aera pennis
obtulit Arsinoes † elocridicos ales equus,
isque per aetherias me tollens avolat umbras
et Veneris casto conlocat in gremio.
ipsa suum Zephyritis eo famulum legarat,
Graia Canopiis incola litoribus,
†hi dii ven ibi vario ne solum in lumine caeli
ex Ariadneis aurea temporibus
fixa corona foret, sed nos quoque fulgeremus
devotae flavi verticis exuviae,
uvidulam a fletu cedentem ad temple deum me
sidus in antiquis diva novum posuit:
Virginis et saevi contingens namque Leonis
lumina, Callisto iuncta Lycaoniae,
vertor in occasum, tardum dux ante Booten,
qui vix sero alto mergitur Oceano.
sed quamquam me nocte premunt vestigia divum,
lux autem canae Tethyi restituit,
(pace tua fari hic liceat, Rhamnusia virgo:
namque ego non ullo vera timore tegam,
nec si me infestis discerpent sidera dictis,
condita quin veri pectoris evoluam)
non his tam laetor rebus quam me afore semper
afore me a dominae vertice discrucior,
quicum ego, dum virgo quondam fuit, omnibus expers
unguentis, una milia multa bibi.
nunc vos optato quom iunxit lumine taeda,
non prius unanimis corpora coniugibus
tradite nudantes reiecta veste papillas,
quam iucunda mihi munera libet onyx,
vester onyx, casto colitis quae iura cubili.
sed quae se impuro dedit adulterio,
illius ah mala dona levis bibat irrita pulvis:
namque ego ab indignis praemia nulla peto.
sed magis, o nuptae, semper concordia vestras,
semper amor sedes incolat adsiduus.
tu vero, regina, tuens cum sidera divam
placabis festis luminibus Venerem,
unguinis expertem non siris esse tuam me,
sed potius largis adfice muneribus.
sidera cur retinent? utinam coma regia fiam
proximus Hydrochoi fulgeret Oarion.

[¶5] Quintus.:
O to the gentle spouse right dear, right dear to his parent,
Hail, and with increase fair Jupiter lend thee his aid,
Door,’tis said wast fain kind service render to Balbus
Erst while, long as the house by her old owner was held;
Yet wast rumoured again to serve a purpose malignant,
After the elder was stretched, thou being oped for a bride.
Come, then, tell us the why in thee such change be reported
That to thy lord hast abjured faithfulness owed of old?
Door.:
Never (so chance I to please Caeci1ius owning me now-a-days!)
Is it my own default, how so they say it be mine;
Nor can any declare aught sin by me was committed.
Yet it is so declared (Quintus!) by fable of folk;
Who, whenever they find things done no better than should be,
Come to me outcrying all:—“Door, the default is thine own!”
Quintus.:
This be never enough for thee one-worded to utter,
But in such way to deal, each and all sense it and see.
Door.:
What shall I do? None asks, while nobody troubles to know.
Quintus.:
Willing are we? unto us stay not thy saying to say.
Door.:
First let me note that the maid to us committed (assert they)
Was but a fraud: her mate never a touch of her had,
…
…
But that a father durst dishonour the bed of his first-born,
Folk all swear, and the house hapless with incest bewray;
Or that his impious mind was blunt with fiery passion
Or that his impotent son sprang from incapable seed.
And to be sought was one with nerve more nervous endowèd,
Who could better avail zone of the virgin to loose.
Quintus.:’Sooth, of egregious sire for piety wondrous, thou tellest,
Who in the heart of his son lief was …!
Yet professed herself not only this to be knowing,
Brixia-town that lies under the Cycnean cliff,
Traversed by Mella-stream’s soft-flowing yellow-hued current,
Brixia, Vérona’s mother, I love for my home.
Door.:
Eke of Posthumius’ loves and Cornelius too there be tattle,
With whom dared the dame evil advowtry commit.
Quintus.:
Here might somebody ask:—“How, Door, hast mastered such matter?”
“Thou that canst never avail threshold of owner to quit,”
“Neither canst listen to folk since here fast fixt to the side-posts”
“Only one office thou hast, shutting or opening the house.”
Door.:
Oft have I heard our dame in furtive murmurs o’er telling,
When with her handmaids alone, these her flagitious deeds,
Citing fore-cited names for that she never could fancy
Ever a Door was endow’d either with earlet or tongue.
Further she noted a wight whose name in public to mention
Nill I, lest he upraise eyebrows of carroty hue;
Long is the loon and large the law-suit brought they against him
Touching a child-bed false, claim of a belly that lied.

> Latin: O dulci iucunda viro, iucunda parenti,
salve, teque bona Iuppiter auctet ope,
Ianua, quam Balbo dicunt servisse benigne
olim, cum sedes ipse senex tenuit,
quamque ferunt rursus voto servisse maligne,
postquam es porrecto facta marita sene,
dic agedum nobis quare mutata feraris
in dominum veterem deseruisse fidem.
“non (ita Caecilio placeam, cui tradita nunc sum)”
“culpa mea est, quamquam dicitur esse mea,”
“nec peccatum a me quisquam pote dicere quicquam:”
“†verum istius populi ianua qui te facit!”
“qui, quacumque aliquid reperitur non bene factum,”
“ad me omnes clamant, ‘Ianua, culpa tua est.’”
non istuc satis est uno te dicere verbo,
sed facere ut quivis sentiat et videat.
“qui possum? nemo quaerit nec scire laborat.”
nos volumus; nobis dicere ne dubita.
“primum igitur, virgo quod fertur tradita nobis,”
“falsum est. non illam vir prior attigerit,”
“languidior tenera cui pendens sicula beta”
“nunquam se mediam sustulit ad tunicam:”
“sed pater illius gnati violasse cubile”
“dicitur et miseram conscelerasse domum,”
“sive quod impia mens caeco flagrabat amore,”
“seu quod iners sterili semine natus erat”
“et quaerendus is unde foret nervosius illud”
“quod posset zonam solvere virgineam.”
egregium narras mira pietate parentem,
qui ipse sui gnati minxerit in gremium.
“atqui non solum hoc se dicit cognitum habere”
“Brixia † chinea suppositum specula,”
“flavus quam molli praecurrit flumine Mella,”
“Brixia, Veronae mater amata meae,”
“sed de Postumio et Corneli narrat amore,”
“cum quibus illa malum fecit adulterium.”
“dixerit hic aliquis, ‘quid? tu istaec, Ianua, nosti,’”
“‘cui nunquam domini limine abesse licet,’”
“‘nec populum auscultare, sed hic suffixa tigillo’”
“‘tantum operire soles aut aperire domum?’”
“saepe illam audivi furtiva voce loquentem”
“solam cum ancillis haec sua flagitia,”
“nomine dicentem quos diximus, ut pote quae mi”
“speraret nec linguam esse nec auriculam.”
“praeterea addebat quendam, quem dicere nolo”
“nomine ne tollat rubra supercilia.”
“longus homo est, magnas cui lites intulit olim”
“falsum mendaci ventre puerperium.”

## 4. Poems 68–116

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/4/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/catullus-poems/4/#p-N

[¶0] When to me sore opprest by bitter chance of misfortune
This thy letter thou send’st written wi’ blotting of tears,
So might I save thee flung by spuming billows of ocean,
Shipwreckt, rescuing life snatcht from the threshold of death;
Eke neither Venus the Holy to rest in slumber’s refreshment
Grants thee her grace on couch lying deserted and lone,
Nor can the Muses avail with dulcet song of old writers
Ever delight thy mind sleepless in anxious care;
Grateful be this to my thought since thus thy friend I’m entitled,
Hence of me seekest thou gifts Muses and Venus can give:
But that bide not unknown to thee my sorrows (O Manius!)
And lest office of host I should be holden to hate,
Learn how in Fortune’s deeps I chance myself to be drownèd,
Nor fro’ the poor rich boons furthermore prithee require.
What while first to myself the pure-white garment was given,
Whenas my flowery years flowed in fruition of spring,
Much I disported enow, nor ’bode I a stranger to Goddess
Who with our cares is lief sweetness of bitter to mix:
Yet did a brother’s death pursuits like these to my sorrow
Bid for me cease: Oh, snatcht brother! from wretchedest me.
Then, yea, thou by thy dying hast broke my comfort, O brother;
Buried together wi’ thee lieth the whole of our house;
Perisht along wi’ thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,
Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.
After thy doom of death fro’ mind I banishèd wholly
Studies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;
Wherefore as to thy writ:—“Verona’s home for Catullus”
“Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark”
“Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:”
Such be no shame (Manius!): rather ’tis matter of ruth.
Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grieving
These I send not to thee since I avail not present.
For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writings
Has for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,
There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;
Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.
This being thus, nill I thou deem ’tis spirit malignant
Acts in such wise or mind lacking of liberal mood
That to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:
Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.

> Latin: Quod mihi fortuna casuque oppressus acerbo
conscriptum hoc lacrimis mittis epistolium,
naufragum ut eiectum spumantibus aequoris undis
sublevem et a mortis limine restituam,
quem neque sancta Venus molli requiescere somno
desertum in lecto caelibe perpetitur,
nec veterum dulci scriptorum carmine musae
oblectant, cum mens anxia pervigilat,
id gratum est mihi, me quoniam tibi dicis amicum
muneraque et Musarum hinc petis et Veneris.
sed tibi ne mea sint ignota incommoda, Manli,
neu me odisse putes hospitis officium,
accipe quis merser fortunae fluctibus ipse,
ne amplius a misero dona beata petas.
tempore quo primum vestis mihi tradita pura est,
iucundum cum aetas florida ver ageret,
multa satis lusi; non est dea nescia nostri
quae dulcem curis miscet amaritiem:
sed totum hoc studium luctu fraterna mihi mors
abstulit. o misero frater adempte mihi,
tu mea tu moriens fregisti commoda, frater,
tecum una tota est nostra sepulta domus,
omnia tecum una perierunt gaudia nostra,
quae tuus in vita dulcis alebat amor.
cuius ego interitu tota de mente fugavi
haec studia atque omnes delicias animi.
quare, quod scribis Veronae turpe Catullo
esse quod hic quisquis de meliore nota
frigida deserto tepefactet membra cubili,
id, Manli, non est turpe, magis miserum est.
ignosces igitur, si, quae mihi luctus ademit,
haec tibi non tribuo munera, cum nequeo.
nam quod scriptorum non magna est copia apud me,
hoc fit quod Romae vivimus: illa domus,
illa mihi sedes, illic mea carpitur aetas;
huc una ex multis capsula me sequitur.
quod cum ita sit, nolim statuas nos mente maligna
id facere aut animo non satis ingenuo
quod tibi non utriusque petenti copia parta est:
ultro ego deferrem, copia si qua foret.

[¶1] Nor can I (Goddesses!) hide in what things Allius sent me
Aid, forbear to declare what was the aidance he deigned:
Neither shall fugitive Time from centuries ever oblivious
Veil in the blinds of night friendship he lavisht on me.
But will I say unto you what you shall say to the many
Thousands in turn, and make paper, old crone, to proclaim
…
And in his death become noted the more and the more,
Nor let spider on high that weaves her delicate webbing
Practise such labours o’er Allius’ obsolete name.
For that ye weet right well what care Amathúsia two-faced
Gave me, and how she dasht every hope to the ground,
Whenas I burnt so hot as burn Trinacria’s rocks or
Mallia stream that feeds Œtéan Thermopylae;
Nor did these saddened eyes to be dimmed by assiduous weeping
Cease, and my cheeks with showers ever in sadness be wet.
E’en as from aëry heights of mountain springeth a springlet
Limpidest leaping forth from rocking felted with moss,
Then having headlong rolled the prone-laid valley downpouring,
Populous region amid wendeth his gradual way,
Sweetest solace of all to the sweltering traveller wayworn,
Whenas the heavy heat fissures the fiery fields;
Or, as to seamen lost in night of whirlwind a-glooming
Gentle of breath there comes fairest and favouring breeze,
Pollux anon being prayed, nor less vows offered to Castor:—
Such was the aidance to us Manius pleased to afford.
He to my narrow domains far wider limits laid open,
He too gave me the house, also he gave me the dame,
She upon whom both might exert them, partners in love deeds.
Thither graceful of gait pacing my goddess white-hued
Came and with gleaming foot on the worn sole of the threshold
Stood she and prest its slab creakihg her sandals the while;
E’enso with love enflamed in olden days to her helpmate,
Laodamía the home Protesiléan besought,
Sought, but in vain, for ne’er wi’ sacrificial blood shed
Victims appeased the Lords ruling Celestial seats:
Never may I so joy in aught (Rhamnusian Virgin!)
That I engage in deed maugrè the will of the Lords.
How starved altar can crave for gore in piety poured,
Laodamia learnt taught by the loss of her man,
Driven perforce to loose the neck of new-wedded help-mate,
Whenas a winter had gone, nor other winter had come,
Ere in the long dark nights her greeding love was so sated
That she had power to live maugrè a marriage broke off,
Which, as the Parcae knew, too soon was fated to happen
Should he a soldier sail bound for those llian walls.
For that by Helena’s rape, the Champion-leaders of Argives
Unto herself to incite Troy had already begun,
Troy (ah, curst be the name) common tomb of Asia and Europe,
Troy to sad ashes that turned valour and valorous men!
Eke to our brother beloved, destruction ever lamented
Brought she: O Brother for aye lost unto wretchedmost me,
Oh, to thy wretchedmost brother lost the light of his life-tide,
Buried together wi’ thee lieth the whole of our house:
Perisht along wi’ thyself forthright all joys we enjoyèd,
Douce joys fed by thy love during the term of our days;
Whom now art tombed so far nor ’mid familiar pavestones
Nor wi’ thine ashes stored near to thy kith and thy kin,
But in that Troy obscene, that Troy of ill-omen, entombèd
Holds thee, an alien earth-buried in uttermost bourne.
Thither in haste so hot (’tis said) from allwhere the Youth-hood
Grecian, farèd in hosts forth of their hearths and their homes,
Lest with a stolen punk with fullest of pleasure should Paris
Fairly at leisure and ease sleep in the pacific bed.
Such was the hapless chance, most beautiful Laodamia,
Tare fro’ thee dearer than life, dearer than spirit itself,
Him, that husband, whose love in so mighty a whirlpool of passion
Whelmed thee absorbed and plunged deep in its gulfy abyss,
E’en as the Grecians tell hard by Phenéus of Cylléne
Drained was the marish and dried, forming the fattest of soils,
Whenas in days long done to delve through marrow of mountains
Daréd, falsing his sire, Amphtryóniades;
What time sure of his shafts he smote Stymphalian monsters
Slaying their host at the hest dealt by a lord of less worth,
So might the gateway of Heaven be trodden by more of the godheads,
Nor might Hébé abide longer to maidenhood doomed.
Yet was the depth of thy love far deeper than deepest of marish
Which the hard mistress’s yoke taught him so tamely to bear;
Never was head so dear to a grandsire wasted by life-tide
Whenas one daughter alone a grandson so tardy had reared,
Who being found against hope to inherit riches of forbears
In the well-witnessed Will haply by name did appear,
And ’spite impious hopes of baffled claimant to kinship
Startles the Vulturine grip clutching the frost-bitten poll.
Nor with such rapture e’er joyed his mate of snowy-hued plumage
Dove-mate, albeit aye wont in her immoderate heat
Said be the bird to snatch hot kisses with beak ever billing,
As diddest thou:—yet is Woman multivolent still.
But thou ’vailedest alone all these to conquer in love-lowe,
When conjoindd once more unto thy yellow-haired spouse.
Worthy of yielding to her in naught or ever so little
Came to the bosom of us she, the fair light of my life,
Round whom fluttering oft the Love-God hither and thither
Shone with a candid sheen robed in his safflower dress.
She though never she bide with one Catullus contented,
Yet will I bear with the rare thefts of my dame the discreet,
Lest over-irk I give which still of fools is the fashion.
Often did Juno eke Queen of the Heavenly host
Boil wi’ the rabidest rage at dire default of a husband
Learning the manifold thefts of her omnivolent Jove,
Yet with the Gods mankind ’tis nowise righteous to liken,
…
…
Rid me of graceless task fit for a tremulous sire.
Yet was she never to me by hand paternal committed
Whenas she came to my house reeking Assyrian scents;
Nay, in the darkness of night her furtive favours she deigned me,
Self-willed taking herself from very mate’s very breast.
Wherefore I hold it enough since given to us and us only
Boon of that day with Stone whiter than wont she denotes.
This to thee—all that I can—this offering couched in verses
(Allius!) as my return give I for service galore;
So wi’ the seabriny rust your name may never be sullied
This day and that nor yet other and other again.
Hereto add may the Gods all good gifts, which Themis erewhiles
Wont on the pious of old from her full store to bestow:
Blest be the times of the twain, thyself and she who thy life is,
Also the home wherein dallied we, no less the Dame,
Anser to boot who first of mortals brought us together,
Whence from beginning all good Fortunes that blest us were born.
Lastly than every else one dearer than self and far dearer,
Light of my life who alive living to me can endear.

> Latin: non possum reticere, deae, qua me Allius in re
iuverit aut quantis iuverit officiis,
ne fugiens saeclis obliviscentibus aetas
illius hoc caeca nocte tegat studium:
sed dicam vobis, vos porro dicite multis
milibus et facite haec charta loquatur anus
…
notescatque magis mortuus atque magis,
nec tenuem texens sublimis aranea telam
in deserto Alli nomine opus faciat.
nam mihi quam dederit duplex Amathusia curam
scitis, et in quo me corruerit genere,
cum tantum arderem quantum Trinacria rupes
lymphaque in Oetaeis Malia Thermopylis,
maesta neque adsiduo tabescere lumina fletu
cessarent tristique imbre madere genae,
qualis in aerii perlucens vertice montis
rivus muscoso prosilit e lapide,
qui, cum de prone praeceps est valle volutus,
per medium densi transit iter populi,
dulce viatori lasso in sudore levamen
cum gravis exustos aestus hiulcat agros.
hic, velut in nigro iactatis turbine nautis
lenius adspirans aura secunda venit
iam prece Pollucis, iam Castoris implorata,
tale fuit nobis Allius auxilium.
is clausum lato patefecit limite campum,
isque domum nobis isque dedit dominae,
ad quam communes exerceremus amores.
quo mea se molli candida diva pede
intulit et trito fulgentem in limine plantam
innixa arguta constituit solea,
coniugis ut quondam flagrans advenit amore
Protesilaeam Laodamia domum
inceptam frustra, nondum cum sanguine sacro
hostia caelestis pacificasset eros.
nil mihi tam valde placeat, Rhamnusia virgo,
quod temere invitis suscipiatur eris.
quam ieiuna pium desideret ara cruorem
docta est amisso Laodamia viro,
coniugis ante coacta novi dimittere collum
quam veniens una atque altera rursus hiems
noctibus in longis avidum saturasset amorem,
posset ut abrupto vivere coniugio:
quod scibant Parcae non longo tempore abesse,
si miles muros isset ad Iliacos:
nam tum Helenae raptu primores Argivorum
coeperat ad sese Troia ciere viros,
Troia (nefas) commune sepulcrum Asiae Europaeque,
Troia virum et virtutum omnium acerba cinis:
quaene etiam nostro letum miserabile fratri
attulit. Hei misero frater adempte mihi,
hei misero fratri iucundum lumen ademptum,
tecum una tota est nostra sepulta domus,
omnia tecum una perierunt gaudia nostra,
quae tuus in vita dulcis alebat amor.
quem nunc tam longe non inter nota sepulcra
nec prope cognatos compositum cineres,
sed Troia obscena, Troia infelice sepultum
detinet extremo terra aliena solo.
ad quam tum properans fertur simul undique pubes
Graeca penetralis deseruisse focos,
ne Paris abducta gavisus libera moecha
otia pacato degeret in thalamo.
quo tibi tum casu, pulcherrima Laodamia,
ereptum est vita dulcius atque anima
coniugium: tanto te absorbens vertice amoris
aestus in abruptum detulerat barathrum,
quale ferunt Grai Pheneum prope Cylleneum
siccare emulsa pingue palude solum,
quod quondam caesis montis fodisse medullis
audit falsiparens Amphitryoniades,
tempore quo certa Stymphalia monstra sagitta
perculit imperio deterioris eri,
pluribus ut caeli tereretur ianua divis,
Hebe nec longa virginitate foret.
sed tuus altus amor barathro fuit altior illo,
qui tunc indomitam ferre iugum docuit.
nam nec tam carum confecto aetate parenti
una caput seri nata nepotis alit,
qui, cum divitiis vix tandem inventus avitis
nomen testatas intulit in tabulas,
impia derisi gentilis gaudia tollens
suscitat a cano vulturium capiti:
nec tantum niveo gavisa est ulla columbo
compar, quae multo dicitur improbius
oscula mordenti semper decerpere rostro
quam quae praecipue multivola est mulier:
sed tu horum magnos vicisti sola furores,
ut semel es flavo conciliata viro.
aut nihil aut paulo cui tum concedere digna
lux mea se nostrum contulit in gremium,
quam circumcursans hinc illinc saepe Cupido
fulgebat crocina candidus in tunica.
quae tamenetsi uno non est contenta Catullo,
rara verecundae furta feremus erae,
ne nimium simus stultorum more molesti:
saepe etiam Iuno, maxima caelicolum,
coniugis in culpa flagrantem concoquit iram
noscens omnivoli plurima furta Iovis.
atqui nec divis homines componier aequum est
…
…
ingratum tremuli tolle parentis onus.
nec tamen illa mihi dextra deducta paterna
fragrantem Assyrio venit odore domum,
sed furtiva dedit mira munuscula nocte
ipsius ex ipso dempta viri gremio.
quare illud satis est, si nobis is datur unis
quem lapide illa diem candidiore notat.
hoc tibi quod potui confectum carmine munus
pro multis, Alli, redditur officiis,
ne vestrum scabra tangat robigine nomen
haec atque illa dies atque alia atque alia.
huc addent divi quam plurima, quae Themis olim
antiquis solita est munera ferre piis:
sitis felices et tu simul et tua vita
et domus, in qua nos lusimus et domina,
et qui principio nobis † terram dedit aufert,
a quo sunt primo omnia nata bona,
et longe ante omnes mihi quae me carior ipso est,
lux mea, qua viva vivere dulce mihi est.

[¶2] 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.

> Latin: Noli admirari quare tibi femina nulla,
Rufe, velit tenerum supposuisse femur,
non si illam rarae labefactes munere vestis
aut perluciduli deliciis lapidis.
laedit te quaedam mala fabula, qua tibi fertur
valle sub alarum trux habitare caper.
hunc metuunt omnes. neque mirum: nam mala valde est
bestia, nec quicum bella puella cubet.
quare aut crudelem nasorum interfice pestem,
aut admirari desine cur fugiunt.

[¶3] Never, my woman oft says, with any of men will she mate be,
Save wi’ my own very self, ask her though Jupiter deign!
Says she: but womanly words that are spoken to desireful lover
Ought to be written on wind or upon water that runs.

> Latin: Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere malle
quam mihi, non si se Iuppiter ipse petat.
dicit: sed mulier cupido quod dicit amanti
in vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.

[¶4] An of a goat-stink damned from armpits fusty one suffer,
Or if a crippling gout worthily any one rack,’Tis that rival o’ thine who lief in loves of you meddles,
And, by a wondrous fate, gains him the twain of such ills.
For that, oft as he …, so oft that penance be two-fold;
Stifles her stench of goat, he too is kilt by his gout.

> Latin: Si cui iure bono sacer alarum obstitit hircus,
aut si quem merito tarda podagra secat,
Aemulus iste tuus, qui vestrum exercet amorem,
mirifice est a te nactus utrumque malum.
nam quotiens futuit totiens ulciscitur ambos:
illam adfligit odore, ipse perit podagra.

[¶5] Wont thou to vaunt whilòme of, knowing only Catullus
(Lesbia!) nor to prefer Jupiter’s self to myself.
Then, too, I loved thee well, not as vulgar wretch his mistress
But as a father his sons loves and his sons by the law.
Now have I learnt thee aright; wherefor though burn I the hotter,
Lighter and viler by far thou unto me hast become.
“How can this be?” dost ask:’tis that such injury ever
Forces the hotter to love, also the less well to will.

> Latin: Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror,
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est? inquis. quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

[¶6] Cease thou of any to hope desirèd boon of well-willing,
Or deem any shall prove pious and true to his dues.
Waxes the world ingrate, no deed benevolent profits,
Nay full oft it irks even offending the more:
Such is my case whom none maltreats more grievously bitter,
Than does the man that me held one and only to friend.

> Latin: Desine de quoquam quicquam bene velle mereri
aut aliquem fieri posse putare pium.
omnia sunt ingrata, nihil fecisse benigne:
immo etiam taedet, taedet obestque magis:
ut mihi, quem nemo gravius nec acerbius urget
Quam modo qui me unum atque unicum amicum habuit.

[¶7] Wont was Gellius hear his uncle rich in reproaches,
When any ventured aught wanton in word or in deed.
Lest to him chance such befall, his uncle’s consort seduced he,
And of his uncle himself fashioned an Harpocrates.
What so he willed did he; and nowdays albe his uncle
… he, no word ever that uncle shall speak.

> Latin: Gellius audierat patruum obiurgare solere,
si quis delicias diceret aut faceret.
hoc ne ipsi accideret, patrui perdepsuit ipsam
uxorem et patruum reddidit Harpocratem.
quod voluit fecit: nam, quamvis irrumet ipsum
nunc patruum, verbum non faciet patruus.

[¶8] Now is my mind to a pass, my Lesbia, brought by thy treason,
So in devotion to thee lost is the duty self due,
Nor can I will thee well if best of women thou prove thee,
Nor can I cease to love, do thou what doings thou wilt.

> Latin: Huc est mens deducta tua, mea Lesbia, culpa,
atque ita se officio perdidit ipsa suo,
ut iam nec bene velle queat tibi, si optuma fias,
nec desistere amare, omnia si facias.

[¶9] If to remember deeds whilòme well done be a pleasure
Meet for a man who deems all of his dealings be just,
Nor Holy Faith ever broke nor in whatever his compact
Sanction of Gods abused better to swindle mankind,
Much there remains for thee during length of living, Catullus,
Out of that Love ingrate further to solace thy soul;
For whatever of good can mortal declare of another
Or can avail he do, such thou hast said and hast done;
While to a thankless mind entrusted all of them perisht.
Why, then, crucify self now with a furthering pain?
Why not steady thy thoughts and draw thee back from such purpose,
Ceasing wretched to be maugrè the will of the Gods?
Difficult ’tis indeed long Love to depose of a sudden,
Difficult ’tis, yet do e’en as thou deem to be best.
This be thy safe-guard sole; this conquest needs to be conquered;
This thou must do, thus act, whether thou cannot or can.
If an ye have (O Gods!) aught ruth, or if you for any
Bring at the moment of death latest assistance to man,
Look upon me (poor me!) and, should I be cleanly of living,
Out of my life deign pluck this my so pestilent plague,
Which as a lethargy o’er mine inmost vitals a-creeping,
Hath from my bosom expelled all of what joyance it joyed,
Now will I crave no more she love me e’en as I love her,
Nor (impossible chance!) ever she prove herself chaste:
Would I were only healed and shed this fulsome disorder.
Oh Gods, grant me this boon unto my piety due!

> Latin: Si qua recordanti benefacta priora voluptas
est homini, cum se cogitat esse pium,
nec sanctam violasse fidem, nec foedere in ullo
divum ad fallendos numine abusum homines,
multa parata manent in longa aetate, Catulle,
ex hoc ingrato gaudia amore tibi.
nam quaecumque homines bene cuiquam aut dicere possunt
aut facere, haec a te dictaque factaque sunt:
omnia quae ingratae perierunt credita menti.
quare cur tu te iam amplius excrucies?
quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reducis
et dis invitis desinis esse miser?
difficile est longum subito deponere amorem;
difficile est, verum hoc qua libet efficias.
una salus haec est, hoc est tibi pervincendum;
hoc facias, sive id non pote sive pote.
o di, si vestrum est misereri, aut si quibus unquam
extremam iam ipsa in morte tulistis opem,
me miserum adspicite et, si vitam puriter egi,
eripite hanc pestem perniciemque mihi!
hei mihi subrepens imos ut torpor in artus
expulit ex omni pectore laetitias.
non iam illud quaero, contra ut me diligat illa,
aut, quod non potis est, esse pudica velit:
ipse valere opto et taetrum hunc deponere morbum.
o di, reddite mi hoc pro pietate mea.

[¶10] Rufus, trusted as friend by me, so fruitlessly, vainly,
(Vainly? nay to my bane and at a ruinous price!)
Hast thou cajoled me thus, and enfiring innermost vitals,
Ravished the whole of our good own’d by wretchedest me?
Ravished; (alas and alas!) of our life thou cruellest cruel
Venom, (alas and alas!) plague of our friendship and pest.

> Latin: Rufe mihi frustra ac nequiquam credite amice
(frustra? immo magno cum pretio atque malo),
sicine subrepsti mi atque intestina perurens
hei misero eripuisti omnia nostra bona?
eripuisti, eheu nostrae crudele venenum
vitae, eheu nostrae pestis amicitiae.

[¶11] Gallus hath brothers in pair, this owning most beautiful consort,
While unto that is given also a beautiful son.
Gallus is charming as man; for sweet loves ever conjoins he,
So that the charming lad sleep wi’ the charmer his lass.
Gallus is foolish wight, nor self regards he as husband,
When being uncle how nuncle to cuckold he show.
Yet must I now lament that lips so pure of the purest
Damsel, thy slaver foul soiled with filthiest kiss.
But ne’er hope to escape scot free; for thee shall all ages
Know, and what thing thou be, Fame, the old crone, shall declare.

> Latin: Gallus habet fratres, quorum est lepidissima coniunx
alterius, lepidus filius alterius.
Gallus homo est bellus: nam dulces iungit amores,
cum puero ut bello bella puella cubet.
Gallus homo est stultus nec se videt esse maritum,
qui patruus patrui monstret adulterium.
…
…
Sed nunc id doleo quod purae pura puellae
savia comminxit spurca saliva tua.
verum id non impune feres: nam te omnia saecla
noscent et qui sis fama loquetur anus.

[¶12] Lesbius is beauty-man: why not? when Lesbia wills him
Better, Catullus, than thee backed by the whole of thy clan.
Yet may that beauty-man sell all his clan with Catullus,
An of three noted names greeting salute he can gain.

> Latin: Lesbius est pulcher: quid ni? quem Lesbia malit
quam te cum tota gente, Catulle, tua.
sed tamen hic pulcher vendat cum gente Catullum,
si tria notorum savia reppererit.

[¶13] How shall I (Gellius!) tell what way lips rosy as thine are
Come to be bleached and blanched whiter than wintry snow,
When as thou quittest the house a-morn, and at two after noon-tide
Roused from quiet repose, wakest for length of the day?
Certès sure am I not an Rumour rightfully whisper
…
…
…

> Latin: Quid dicam, Gelli, quare rosea ista labella
Hiberna fiant candidiora nive,
mane domo cum exis et cum te octava quiete
e molli longo suscitat hora die?
nescio quid certe est: an vere fama susurrat
grandia te medii tenta vorare viri?
sic certe est: clamant Victoris rupta miselli
ilia, et emulso labra notata sero.

[¶14] Could there never be found in folk so thronging (Juventius!)
Any one charming thee whom thou couldst fancy to love,
Save and except that host from deadliest site of Pisaurum,
Wight than a statue gilt wanner and yellower-hued,
Whom to thy heart thou takest and whom thou darest before us
Choose? But villain what deed doest thou little canst wot!

> Latin: Nemone in tanto potuit populo esse, Iuventi,
bellus homo quem tu diligere inciperes
praeterquam iste tuus moribunda ab sede Pisauri
hospes inaurata pallidior statua?
qui tibi nunc cordi est, quem tu praeponere nobis
audes et nescis quod facinus facias.

[¶15] Quintius! an thou wish that Catullus should owe thee his eyes
Or aught further if aught dearer can be than his eyes,
Thou wilt not ravish from him what deems he dearer and nearer
E’en than his eyes if aught dearer there be than his eyes.

> Latin: Quinti, si tibi vis oculos debere Catullum
aut aliud si quid carius est oculis,
eripere ei noli multo quod carius illi
est oculis seu quid carius est oculis.

[¶16] Lesbia heaps upon me foul words her mate being present;
Which to that simple soul causes the fullest delight.
Mule! naught sensest thou: did she forget us in silence,
Whole she had been; but now what so she rails and she snarls,
Not only dwells in her thought, but worse and even more risky,
Wrathful she bides. Which means, she is afire and she fumes.

> Latin: Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis. si nostri oblita taceret,
sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res,
irata est: hoc est, uritur et loquitur.

[¶17] Wontis Arrius say “Chommodious” whenas “commodious”
Means he, and “Insidious” aspirate “Hinsidious,”
What time flattering self he speaks with marvellous purity,
Clamouring “Hinsidious” loudly as ever he can.
Deem I thus did his dame and thus-wise Liber his uncle
Speak, and on spindle-side grandsire and grandmother too.
Restful reposed all ears when he was sent into Syria,
Hearing the self-same words softly and smoothly pronouncèd,
Nor any feared to hear such harshness uttered thereafter,
Whenas a sudden came message of horrible news,
Namely th’ lonian waves when Arrius thither had wended,
Were “lonian” no more—they had “Hionian” become.

> Latin: Chommoda dicebat, si quando commode vellet
dicere, et insidias Arrius hinsidias,
et tum mirifice sperabat se esse locutum
cum quantum poterat dixerat hinsidias.
credo, sic mater, sic liber avunculus eius,
sic maternus avus dixerat atque avia
hoc misso in Syriam requierant omnibus aures:
audibant eadem haec leniter et leviter,
nec sibi postilla metuebant talia verba,
cum subito adfertur nuntius horribilis
Ionios fluctus, postquam illuc Arrius isset,
iam non Ionios esse, sed Hionios.

[¶18] Hate I, and love I. Haps thou’lt ask me wherefore I do so.
Wot I not, yet so I do feeling a torture of pain.

> Latin: Odi et amo. quare id faciam fortasse requiris
nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.

[¶19] Quintia beautiful seems to the crowd; to me, fair, and tall,
Straight; and merits as these readily thus I confess,
But that she is beauteous all I deny, for nothing of lovesome,
Never a grain of salt, shows in her person so large.
Lesbia beautiful seems, and when all over she’s fairest,
Any Venus-gift stole she from every one.

> Latin: Quintia formosa est multis, mihi candida, longa,
recta est. haec ego sic singula confiteor,
totum illud “formosa” nego: nam nulla venustas,
nulla in tam magno est corpore mica salis.
Lesbia formosa est, quae cum pulcherrima tota est,
tum omnibus una omnis subripuit Veneres.

[¶20] Never a woman could call herself so fondly beloved
Truly as Lesbia mine has been beloved of myself.
Never were Truth and Faith so firm in any one compact
As on the part of me kept I my love to thyself.

> Latin: Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatam
vere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea es
nulla fides ullo fuit unquam in foedere tanta
quanta in amore tuo ex parte reperta mea est.

[¶21] What may he (Gellius!) do that ever for mother and sister
Itches and wakes thro’ the nights, working wi’ tunic bedoffed?
What may he do who nills his uncle ever be husband?
Wottest thou how much he ventures of sacrilege-sin?
Ventures he (O Gellius!) what ne’er can ultimate Tethys
Wash from his soul, nor yet Ocean, watery sire.
For that of sin there’s naught wherewith this sin can exceed he
… his head on himself.

> Latin: Quid facit is, Gelli, qui cum matre atque sorore
prurit et abiectis pervigilat tunicis?
quid facit is patruum qui non sinit esse maritum?
ecquid scis quantum suscipiat sceleris?
suscipit, o Gelli, quantum non ultima Tethys
nec genitor nympharum abluit Oceanus:
nam nihil est quicquam sceleris quo prodeat ultra,
non si demisso se ipse voret capite.

[¶22] Gellius is lean: Why not? For him so easy a mother
Lives, and a sister so boon, bonny and buxom to boot,
Uncle so kindly good and all things full of his lady-
Cousins, how can he cease leanest of lankies to be?
Albeit, touch he naught save that whose touch is a scandal,
Soon shall thou find wherefor he be as lean as thou like.

> Latin: Gellius est tenuis: quid ni? cui tam bona mater
tamque valens vivat tamque venusta soror
tamque bonus patruus tamque omnia plena puellis
cognatis, quare is desinat esse macer?
qui ut nihil attingat, nisi quod fas tangere non est,
quantumvis quare sit macer invenies.

[¶23] Born be a Magus, got by Gellius out of his mother
(Marriagenefand!) who shall Persian augury learn.
Needs it a Magus begot of son upon mother who bare him,
If that impious faith, Persian religion be fact,
So may their issue adore busy gods with recognised verses
Melting in altar-flame fatness contained by the caul.

> Latin: Nascatur magus ex Gelli matrisque nefando
coniugio et discat Persicum haruspicium:
nam magus ex matre et gnato gignatur oportet,
si vera est Persarum impia religio,
gratus ut accepto veneretur carmine divos
omentum in flamma pingue liquefaciens.

[¶24] Not for due cause I hoped to find thee (Gellius!) faithful
In this saddest our love, love that is lost and forlore,
Or fro’ my wotting thee well or ever believing thee constant,
Or that thy mind could reject villany ever so vile,
But that because was she to thyself nor mother nor sister,
This same damsel whose Love me in its greatness devoured.
Yet though I had been joined wi’ thee by amplest of usance,
Still could I never believe this was sufficient of cause.
Thou diddest deem it suffice: so great is thy pleasure in every
Crime wherein may be found somewhat enormous of guilt.

> Latin: Non ideo, Gelli, sperabam te mihi fidum
in misero hoc nostro, hoc perdito amore fore
quod te cognossem bene constantemve putarem
aut posse a turpi mentem inhibere probro,
sed neque quod matrem nec germanam esse videbam
hanc tibi cuius me magnus edebat amor;
et quamvis tecum multo coniungerer usu,
non satis id causae credideram esse tibi.
tu satis id duxti: tantum tibi gaudium in omni
culpa est in quacumque est aliquid sceleris.

[¶25] Lesbia naggeth at me evermore and ne’er is she silent
Touching myself: May I die but that by Lesbia I’m loved.
What be the proof? I rail and retort like her and revile her
Carefully, yet may I die but that I love her with love.

> Latin: Lesbia mi dicit semper male nec tacet unquam
de me: Lesbia me dispeream nisi amat.
quo signo? quia sunt totidem mea: deprecor illam
adsidue, verum dispeream nisi amo.

[¶26] Study I not o’ermuch to please thee (Caesar!) and court thee,
Nor do I care e’en to know an thou be white or be black.

> Latin: Nil nimium studeo, Caesar, tibi velle placere,
nec scire utrum sis albus an ater homo.

[¶27] Mentula wooeth much: much wooeth he, be assurèd.
That is, e’en as they say, the Pot gathers leeks for the pot.

> Latin: Mentula moechatur. moechatur mentula certe.
hoc est quod dicunt, ipsa olera olla legit.

[¶28] “Zmyrna” begun erstwhile nine harvests past by my Cinna
Publisht appears when now nine of his winters be gone;
Thousands fifty of lines meanwhile Hortensius in single
…
“Zmyrna” shall travel afar as the hollow breakers of Satrax,
“Zmyrna” by ages grey lastingly shall be perused.
But upon Padus’ brink shall die Volusius his annals
And to the mackerel oft loose-fitting jacket afford.
Dear to my heart are aye the lightest works of my comrade,
Leave I the mob to enjoy tumidest Antimachus.

> Latin: Zmyrna mei Cinnae nonam post denique messem
quam coepta est nonamque edita post hiemem,
milia cum interea quingenta Hortensius uno
…
Zmyrna cavas Satrachi penitus mittetur ad undas,
Zmyrnam cana diu saecula pervolvent.
at Volusi annales Paduam morientur ad ipsam
et laxas scombris saepe dabunt tunicas.
parva mei mihi sint cordi monumenta sodalis:
at populus tumido gaudeat Antimacho.

[¶29] If to the dumb deaf tomb can aught or grateful or pleasing
(Calvus!) ever accrue rising from out of our dule,
Wherewith yearning desire renews our loves in the bygone,
And for long friendships lost many a tear must be shed;
Certès, never so much for doom of premature death-day
Must thy Quintilia mourn as she is joyed by thy love.

> Latin: Si quicquam mutis gratum acceptumve sepulcris
accidere a nostro, Calve, dolore potest,
quo desiderio veteres renovamus amores
atque olim missas flemus amicitias,
certe non tanto mors immatura dolori est
Quintiliae, quantum gaudet amore tuo.

[¶30] Never (so love me the Gods!) deemed I ’twas preference matter
Or Aemilius’ mouth choose I to smell or his …
Nothing is this more clean, uncleaner nothing that other,
Yet I ajudge … cleaner and nicer to be;
For while this one lacks teeth, that one has cubit-long tushes,
Set in their battered gums favouring a muddy old box,
Not to say aught of gape like wide-cleft gap of a she-mule
Whenas in summer-heat wont peradventure to stale.
Yet has he many a motte and holds himself to be handsome—
Why wi’ the baker’s ass is he not bound to the mill?
Him if a damsel kiss we fain must think she be ready
With her fair lips …

> Latin: Non (ita me di ament) quicquam referre putavi
utrumne os an culum olfacerem Aemilio.
nilo mundius hoc, nihiloque immundius illud,
verum etiam culus mundior et melior:
nam sine dentibus est. hoc dentis sesquipedalis,
gingivas vero ploxeni habet veteris,
praeterea rictum qualem diffissus in aestu
meientis mulae cunnus habere solet.
hic futuit multas et se facit esse venustum,
et non pistrino traditur atque asino?
quem si qua attingit, non illam posse putemus
aegroti culum lingere carnificis?

[¶31] Rightly of thee may be said, an of any, (thou stinkingest Victius!)
Whatso wont we to say touching the praters and prigs.
Thou wi’ that tongue o’ thine own, if granted occasion availest
Brogues of the cowherds to kiss, also their …
Wouldst thou undo us all with a thorough undoing (O Victius!)
Open thy gape:—thereby all shall be wholly undone.

> Latin: In te, si in quemquam, dici pose, putide Victi,
id quod verbosis dicitur et fatuis:
ista cum lingua, si usus veniat tibi, possis
culos et crepidas lingere carpatinas.
si nos omnino vis omnes perdere, Victi,
hiscas: omnino quod cupis efficies.

[¶32] E’en as thou played’st, from thee snatched I (O honied Juventius!)
Kissletof savour so sweet sweetest Ambrosia unknows.
Yet was the theft nowise scot-free, for more than an hour I
Clearly remember me fixt hanging from crest of the Cross,
Whatwhile I purged my sin unto thee nor with any weeping
Tittle of cruel despite such as be thine could I ’bate.
For that no sooner done thou washed thy liplets with many
Drops which thy fingers did wipe, using their every joint,
Lest of our mouths conjoined remain there aught by the contact
Like unto slaver foul shed by the butterèd bun.
Further, wretchedmost me betrayed to unfriendliest Love-god
Never thou ceased’st to pain hurting with every harm,
So that my taste be turned and kisses ambrosial erstwhile
Even than hellebore-juice bitterest bitterer grow.
Seeing such pangs as these prepared for unfortunate lover,
After this never again kiss will I venture to snatch.

> Latin: Subripui tibi, dum ludis, mellite Iuventi,
saviolum dulci dulcius ambrosia.
verum id non impune tuli: namque amplius horam
suffixum in summa me memini esse cruce,
dum tibi me purgo nec possum fletibus ullis
tantillum vestrae demere saevitiae.
nam simul id factum est, multis diluta labella
guttis abstersisti omnibus articulis,
ne quicquam nostro contractum ex ore maneret,
tanquam commictae spurca saliva lupae.
praeterea infesto miserum me tradere Amori
non cessasti omnique excruciare modo,
ut mi ex ambrosia mutatum iam fores illud
saviolum tristi tristius elleboro.
quam quoniam poenam misero proponis amori,
nunquam iam posthac basia subripiam.

[¶33] Caelius Aufilénus and Quintius Aufiléna,
Love to the death, both swains bloom of the youth Veronese,
This woo’d brother and that sue’d sister: so might the matter
Claim to be titled wi’ sooth fairest fraternalest tie.
Whom shall I favour the first? Thee (Caelius!) for thou hast provèd
Singular friendship to us shown by the deeds it has done,
Whenas the flames insane had madded me, firing my marrow:
Caelius! happy be thou; ever be lusty in love.

> Latin: Caelius Aufilenum et Quintius Aufilenam
flos Veronensum depereunt iuvenum,
hic fratrem, ille sororem. hoc est quod dicitur illud
fraternum vere dulce sodalicium.
cui faveam potius? Caeli, tibi: nam tua nobis
per facta exhibita est unica amicitia
cum vesana meas torreret flamma medullas.
sis felix, Caeli, sis in amore potens.

[¶34] Faring thro’ many a folk and plowing many a sea-plain
These sad funeral-rites (Brother!) to deal thee I come,
So wi’ the latest boons to the dead bestowed I may gift thee,
And I may vainly address ashes that answer have none,
Sithence of thee, very thee, to deprive me Fortune behested,
Woe for thee, Brother forlore! Cruelly severed fro’ me.
…
Yet in the meanwhile now what olden usage of forbears
Brings as the boons that befit mournfullest funeral rites,
Thinebe these gifts which flow with tear-flood shed by thy brother,
And, for ever and aye (Brother!) all hail and farewell.

> Latin: Multas per gentes et multa per aequora vectus
advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias,
ut te postremo donarem munere mortis
et mutam nequiquam adloquerer cinerem,
quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum,
heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi.
nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum
tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias,
accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu
atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

[¶35] If by confiding friend aught e’er be trusted in silence,
Unto a man whose mind known is for worthiest trust,
Me shalt thou find no less than such to secrecy oath-bound,
(Cornelius!) and now hold me an Harpocrates.

> Latin: Si quicquam tacito commissum est fido ab amico
cuius sit penitus nota fides animi,
meque esse invenies illorum iure sacratum,
Corneli, et factum me esse puta Harpocratem.

[¶36] Or, d’ye hear, refund those ten sestertia (Silo!)
Then be thou e’en at thy will surly and savage o’ mood:
Or, an thou love o’er-well those moneys, prithee no longer
Prove thee a pimp and withal surly and savage o’ mood.

> Latin: Aut sodes mihi redde decem sestertia, Silo,
deinde esto quamvis saevus et indomitus:
aut, si te nummi deIectant, desine quaeso
Leno esse atque idem saevus et indomitus.

[¶37] Canst thou credit that I could avail to revile my life-love,
She who be dearer to me even than either my eyes?
Ne’er could I, nor an I could, should I so losingly love her:
But with Tappo thou dost design every monstrous deed.

> Latin: Credis me potuisse meae maledicere vitae,
ambobus mihi quae carior est oculis?
non potui, nec, si possem, tam perdite amarem:
sed tu cum Tappone omnia monstra facis.

[¶38] Mentula fain would ascend Pipléan mountain up-mounting:
Pitch him the Muses down headlong wi’ forklets a-hurled.

> Latin: Mentula conatur Pipleum scandere montem:
Musae furcillis praecipitem eiciunt.

[¶39] When with a pretty-faced boy we see one playing the Crier,
What can we wot except longs he for selling the same?

> Latin: Cum puero bello praeconem qui videt esse,
quid credat, nisi se vendere discupere?

[¶40] An to one ever accrue any boon he lusted and longed for
Any time after despair, grateful it comes to his soul.
Thus ’tis grateful to us nor gold was ever so goodly,
When thou restorest thyself (Lesbia!) to loving-most me,
Self thou restorest unhoped, and after despair thou returnest.
Oh the fair light of a Day noted with notabler white!
Where lives a happier man than myself or—this being won me—
Who shall e’er boast that his life brought him more coveted lot?

> Latin: Si cui quid cupido optantique obtigit unquam
insperanti, hoc est gratum animo proprie.
quare hoc est gratum nobis quoque, carius auro,
quod te restituis, Lesbia, mi cupido:
restituis cupido atque insperanti, ipsa refers te
nobis. o lucem candidiore nota!
quis me uno vivit felicior, aut magis hac res
optandas vita dicere quis poterit?

[¶41] If by the verdict o’ folk thy hoary old age(O Cominius!)
Filthy with fulsomest lust ever be doomed to the death,
Make I no manner of doubt but first thy tongue to the worthy
Ever a foe, cut out, ravening Vulture shall feed;
Gulp shall the Crow’s black gorge those eye-balls dug from their sockets,
Guts of thee go to the dogs, all that remains to the wolves.

> Latin: Si, Comini, populi arbitrio tua cana senectus
spurcata impuris moribus intereat,
non equidem dubito quin primum inimica bonorum
lingua exsecta avido sit data vulturio,
effossos oculos voret atro gutture corvus,
intestina canes, cetera membra lupi.

[¶42] Gladsome to me, O my life, this love whose offer thou deignest
Between us twain lively and lusty to last soothfast.
(Great Gods!) grant ye the boon that prove her promises loyal,
Saying her say in truth spoken with spirit sincere;
So be it lawful for us to protract through length of our life-tide
Mutual pact of our love, pledges of holy good will!

> Latin: Iucundum, mea vita, mihi proponis amorem
hunc nostrum inter nos perpetuumque fore.
di magni, facite ut vere promittere possit
atque id sincere dicat et ex animo,
ut liceat nobis tota perducere vita
aeternum hoc sanctae foedus amicitiae.

[¶43] Aufiléna! for aye good lasses are lauded as loyal:
Price of themselves they accept when they intend to perform.
All thou promised’st me in belying proves thee unfriendly,
For never giving and oft taking is deed illy done.
Either as honest to grant, or modest as never to promise,
Aufiléna! were fair, but at the gifties to clutch
Fraudfully, viler seems than greed of greediest harlot
Who with her every limb maketh a whore of herself.

> Latin: Aufilena, bonae semper laudantur amicae:
accipiunt pretium quod facere instituunt.
tu, quod promisti mihi, quod mentita, inimica es;
quod nec das et fers saepe, facts facinus.
aut facere ingenuae est, aut non promisse pudicae,
Aufilena, fuit: sed data corripere
fraudando † efficit plus quam meretricis avarae,
quae sese toto corpore prostituit.

[¶44] Aufiléna! to live content with only one husband,
Praise is and truest of praise ever bestowed upon wife.
Yet were it liefer to lie any wise with any for lover,
Than to be breeder of boys uncle as cousins begat.

> Latin: Aufilena, viro contentam vivere solo
nuptarum laus e laudibus eximiis:
sed cuivis quamvis potius succumbere par est
quam matrem fratres ex patruo parere.

[¶45] Great th’art (Naso!) as man, nor like thee many in greatness
Lower themselves (Naso!): great be thou, pathic to boot.

> Latin: Multus homo est, Naso, neque tecum multus homo est qui
descendit: Naso, multus es et pathicus.

[¶46] Pompey first being chosen Consul, twofold (O Cinna!)
Men for amours were famed: also when chosen again
Two they remained; but now is each one grown to a thousand
Gallants:—fecundate aye springeth adultery’s seed.

> Latin: Consule Pompeio primum duo, Cinna, solebant
Maeciliam: facto consule nunc iterum
manserunt duo, sed creverunt milia in unum
singula. fecundum semen adulterio.

[¶47] For yon Firmian domain not falsely Mentula hight is
Richard, owning for self so manyexcellent things—
Fish, fur, feather, all kinds, with prairie, corn-land, and ferals.
All no good: for th’ outgoing, income immensely exceeds.
Therefore his grounds be rich own I, while he’s but a pauper.
Laud we thy land while thou lackest joyance thereof.

> Latin: Firmanus saltu non falso Mentula dives
fertur, qui tot res in se habet egregias,
aucupium omne genus, piscis, prata, arva, ferasque.
nequiquam: fructus sumptibus exsuperat.
quare concedo sit dives, dum omnia desint;
saltum laudemus, dum domo ipse egeat.

[¶48] Mentula! masterest thou some thirty acres of grassland
Full told, forty of field soil; others are sized as the sea.
Why may he not surpass in his riches any a Crœsus
Who in his one domain owns such abundance of good,
Grasslands, arable fields, vast woods and forest and marish
Yonder to Boreal-bounds trenching on Ocean tide?
Great are indeed all these, but thou by far be the greatest,
Never a man, but a great Mentula of menacing might.

> Latin: Mentula habet iuxta triginta iugera prati,
quadraginta arvi: cetera sunt maria.
cur non divitiis Croesum superare potis sit
uno qui in saltu tot bona possideat,
prata, arva, ingentis silvas saltusque paludesque
usque ad Hyperboreos et mare ad Oceanum?
omnia magna haec sunt, tamen ipse est maximus ultro,
non homo, sed vero mentula magna minax.

[¶49] Seeking often in mind with spirit eager of study
How I could send thee songs chaunted of Battiadés,
So thou be softened to us, nor any attempting thou venture
Shot of thy hostile shaft piercing me high as its head,—
Now do I ken this toil with vainest purpose was taken,
(Gellius!) nor herein aughthave our prayers availèd.
Therefore we’ll parry with cloak what shafts thou shootest against us;
And by our bolts transfixt, penalty due thou shalt pay.

> Latin: Saepe tibi studioso animo venante requirens
carmina uti possem mittere Battiadae
qui te lenirem nobis, neu conarere
tela infesta mihi mittere in usque caput,
hunc video mihi nunc frustra sumptum esse laborem,
Gelli, nec nostras hic valuisse preces.
contra nos tela ista tua evitamus amictu:
at fixus nostris tu dabis supplicium.