Poems

Contents — 118 sections

1. Poem 1
2. Poem 2
3. Poem 3
4. Poem 4
5. Poem 5
6. Poem 6
7. Poem 7
8. Poem 8
9. Poem 9
10. Poem 10
11. Poem 11
12. Poem 12
13. Poem 13
14. Poem 14
15. Poem 14a
16. Poem 15
17. Poem 16
18. Poem 17
19. Poem 18
20. Poem 19
21. Poem 20
22. Poem 21
23. Poem 22
24. Poem 23
25. Poem 24
26. Poem 25
27. Poem 26
28. Poem 27
29. Poem 28
30. Poem 29
31. Poem 30
32. Poem 31
33. Poem 32
34. Poem 33
35. Poem 34
36. Poem 35
37. Poem 36
38. Poem 37
39. Poem 38
40. Poem 39
41. Poem 40
42. Poem 41
43. Poem 42
44. Poem 43
45. Poem 44
46. Poem 45
47. Poem 46
48. Poem 47
49. Poem 48
50. Poem 49
51. Poem 50
52. Poem 51
53. Poem 52
54. Poem 53
55. Poem 54
56. Poem 55
57. Poem 56
58. Poem 57
59. Poem 58
60. Poem 59
61. Poem 60
62. Poem 61
63. Poem 62
64. Poem 63
65. Poem 64
66. Poem 65
67. Poem 66
68. Poem 67
69. Poem 68
70. Poem 68a
71. Poem 69
72. Poem 70
73. Poem 71
74. Poem 72
75. Poem 73
76. Poem 74
77. Poem 75
78. Poem 76
79. Poem 77
80. Poem 78
81. Poem 79
82. Poem 80
83. Poem 81
84. Poem 82
85. Poem 83
86. Poem 84
87. Poem 85
88. Poem 86
89. Poem 87
90. Poem 88
91. Poem 89
92. Poem 90
93. Poem 91
94. Poem 92
95. Poem 93
96. Poem 94
97. Poem 95
98. Poem 96
99. Poem 97
100. Poem 98
101. Poem 99
102. Poem 100
103. Poem 101
104. Poem 102
105. Poem 103
106. Poem 104
107. Poem 105
108. Poem 106
109. Poem 107
110. Poem 108
111. Poem 109
112. Poem 110
113. Poem 111
114. Poem 112
115. Poem 113
116. Poem 114
117. Poem 115
118. Poem 116

Poem 1

1Now 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

6Daredst 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!

Poem 2

1Sparrow! 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

6To 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!

10a[...] To me t’were grateful (as they say), Gold codling was to fleet-foot May, Whose long-bound zone it loosed for aye.

Poem 3

1Weep 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;

6For 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.

11Now 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.

16(Oh hapless birdie and Oh deed of bane!) Now by your wanton work my girl appears With turgid eyelids tinted rose by tears.

Poem 4

1Yonder 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.

6Eke 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,

11Was 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

16Upon 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

21At 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

26In quiet age devotes herself to thee (O twin-born Castor) twain with Castor’s twin.

Poem 5

1Love 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,

6Perforce 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,

11The 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.

Poem 6

1Thy 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.

6For, 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

11All 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

16Disclose!For thee and thy beloved fain would I Upraise to Heaven with my liveliest lay.

Poem 7

1Thou 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

6And 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,

11Risses nor curious wight shall count their tale, Nor to bewitch us evil tongue avail.

Poem 8

1Woe-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.

6There 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:

11Endure 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?

16Who 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.

Poem 9

1Veranius! 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!

6Now 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

11Whose joy and gladness greater be than mine?

Poem 10

1Led 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

6Fell 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

11Thence 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

16Litter 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.

21(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

26Lend 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,

31But 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.

Poem 11

1Furius 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,

6Sacis 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,

11Rhine 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

16In 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:

21My 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.

Poem 12

1Marrúcinus 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.

6Dost 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

11Therefore 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

16Also Veránius: these perforce I love E’en as my Veraniólus and Fabúllus.

Poem 13

1Thou’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.

6An 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:

11I’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.

Poem 14

1Did 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?

6The 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,

11For 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.

16No! 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.

21Now for the present hence, adieu! begone Thither, whence came ye, brought by luckless feet, Pests of the Century, ye pernicious Poets.

Poem 14a

1An of my trifles peradventure chance

2You to be readers, and the hands of you

3Without a shudder unto us be offer’d

3ff[...]

Poem 15

1To 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.

6From 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!

11Wag 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,

16That 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.

Poem 16

1I’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

6Himself; 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

11Who 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 [...]

Poem 17

1Colony! 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

6Where 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,

11Deepest 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,

16Worthier 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;

21So 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

26Even as she-mule casts iron shoe where quagmire is stiffest.

Poem 18

1This grove to thee devote I give, Priapus!

2Who home be Lampsacus and holt, Priapus!

3For thee in cities worship most the shores

4Of Hellespont the richest oystery strand.

Poem 19

1This 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,

6He 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,

11Wreaths 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!)

16Bearded 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:

21Take what be his: this path hence leadeth straight to his ownings.

Poem 20

1I 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.

6In 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

11Her 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.

16Hence 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

21Makes of this tool a club for doughty hand.

Poem 21

1Aurelius, 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

6And 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

11Are thirst and famine to my dearling fated. Cease thou so doing while as modest rated, Lest to thy will thou win—but [...]

Poem 22

1Varus, 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,

6But 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

11Once 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

16Ever 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

21Yet spy we nothing of our back-borne pack.

Poem 23

1Furius !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

6Lead 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’

11Or 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?

16Sweat’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,

21And 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;

26Hundred sesterces seek no more With wonted prayer—enow’s thy store!

Poem 24

1O 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

6Than 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.

Poem 25

1Thou 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,

6Return 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

11The burning scourges, basely signed and lined, And thou unwonted toss like wee barque tyned ’Mid vasty Ocean vexed by madding wind!

Poem 26

1Furius! our Villa never Austral force

2Broke, neither set thereon Favonius’ course,

3Nor savage Boreas, nor Epeliot’s strain,

4But fifteen thousand crowns and hundreds twain

5Wreckt it, —Oh ruinous by-wind, breezy bane!

Poem 27

1Thou youngling drawer of Falernian old

2Crown me the goblets with a bitterer wine

3As was Postumia’s law that rules the feast

4Than ebriate grape-stone more inebriate.

5But ye fare whither please ye (water-nymphs!)

6To wine pernicious, and to sober folk

7Migrate ye: mere Thyonian juice be here!

Poem 28

1Followers 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?

6What 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 [...]

11But (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!

Poem 29

1Who 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?

5Then 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?

10Then 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?

15What 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.

20Fear 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?

Poem 30

1Alfénus! 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,

6Ah 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.

11But 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.

Poem 31

1Sirmio! 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

6Bithynian 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!

11This 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.

Poem 32

1ILL 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,

6Lest 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,

11And gown and tunic through I crack.

Poem 33

1OH, best of robbers who in Baths delight,

2Vibennius, sire and son, the Ingle hight,

3(For that the father’s hand be fouler one

4And with his anus greedier is the Son)

5Why not to banishment and evil hours

6Haste ye, when all the parent’s plundering powers

7Are public knowledge, nor canst gain a Cent

8Son! by the vending of thy pilèd vent.

Poem 34

1Diana’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,

6Of 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,

11And coppices by man unseen, And rivers resonant. Thou art Lucína, Juno hight By mothers lien in painful plight, Thou puissant Trivia and the Light

16Bastard, 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,

21Be hailed by whatso name of grace, Please thee and olden Romulus’ race, Thy wonted favour deign embrace, And save with choicest aid.

Poem 35

1Now 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

6Accept 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;

11A 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.

16I pardon thee, than Sapphic Muse more learn’d, Damsel: for truly sung in sweetest lays Was by Cecilius Magna Mater’s praise.

Poem 36

1Volusius’ 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,

6The 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.

11Now, 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—

16The 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.

Poem 37

1Salacious 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?

6Is’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.

11For 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 !)

16All 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.

Poem 38

1Cornificius! ’Tis ill with thy Catullus,

2’Tis ill (by Hercules) distressfully:

3Iller and iller every day and hour.

4Whose soul (as smallest boon and easiest)

5With what of comfort hast thou deign’d console?

6Wi’ thee I’m angered! Dost so prize my love?

7Yet some consoling utterance had been well

8Though sadder ’twere than Simonídean tears.

Poem 39

1Egnatius 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,

6He 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,

11Stuffed 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,

16For 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

21Argue they sipping stale in ampler store.

Poem 40

1What thought of folly Rávidus (poor churl!)

2Upon my iambs thus would headlong hurl?

3What good or cunning counsellor would fain

4Urge thee to struggle in such strife insane?

5Is’t that the vulgar mouth thy name by rote?

6What will’st thou? Wishest on any wise such note?

7Then shalt be noted since my love so lief

8For love thou sued’st to thy lasting grief.

Poem 41

1That Ametina, worn-out whore,

2Me for a myriad oft would bore,

3That strumpet of th’ ignoble nose,

4To leman, rakehell Formian chose.

5An ye would guard her (kinsmen folk)

6Your friends and leaches d’ye convoke:

7The girl’s not sound-sens’d; ask ye naught

8Of her complaint: she’s love-distraught.

Poem 42

1Come, 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.

6Let 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,

11Return (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.

16But 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!

21Still 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!

Poem 43

1Hail, girl who neither nose of minim size

2Owns, nor a pretty foot, nor jetty eyes,

3Nor thin long fingers, nor mouth dry of slaver

4Nor yet too graceful tongue of pleasant flavour,

5Leman to Formian that rake-a-hell.

6What, can the Province boast of thee as belle?

7Thee with my Lesbia durst it make compare?

8O Age insipid, of all humour bare!

Poem 44

1O 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

6To 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

11Read 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.

16Wherefore 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

21Who asks me only his ill writs to read.

Poem 45

1To 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,

6Alone 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,

11And 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

16In 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.

21Love-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?

26Who e’er a better omened Venus knew?

Poem 46

1Now 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:

6Fly 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,

11By many various ways come homewards hieing.

Poem 47

1Porcius and Socration, pair sinister

2Of Piso, scabs and starvelings of the world,

3You to Fabúllus and my Verianiólus,

4Hath dared yon snipt Priapus to prefer?

5Upon rich banquets sumptuously spread

6Still gorge you daily while my comrades must

7Go seek invitals where the three roads fork?

Poem 48

1Those honied eyes of thine (Juventius!)

2If any suffer me sans stint to buss,

3I’d kiss of kisses hundred thousands three,

4Nor ever deem I’d reach satiety,

5Not albe denser than dried wheat-ears show

6The kissing harvests our embraces grow.

Poem 49

1Most eloquent ’mid race of Romulus>

2That is or ever was (Marc Tullius!)

3Or in the coming years the light shall see,

4His thanks, the warmest, offers unto thee

5Catullus, poet sorriest that be,

6And by such measure poet sorriest,

7As thou of pleaders art the bestest best.

Poem 50

1Idly (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

6We 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,

11But 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,

16For 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:—

21She’s a dire Goddess, ’ware thou cross her way.

Poem 51

1Peer 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

6Mine 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

11Rings 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

16the tallest towns.

Poem 52

1What is’t, Catullus? Why delay to out die?

2That Wen hight Nonius sits in curule chair,

3For Consulship Vatinius false doth swear;

4What is’t, Catullus? Why delay to out die?

Poem 53

1I laughed at one ’mid Forum-crowd unknown

2Who, when Vatinius’ crimes in wondrous way

3Had by my Calvus been explained, exposed,

4His hand upraising high admiring cried

5Great Gods! the loquent little Doodle-diddle!

Poem 54

1The head of Otho, puniest of pates

1a[...]

2The rustic half-washt shanks of Nerius

3And Libo’s subtle silent fizzling-farts.

3a[...]

4I wish that leastwise these should breed disgust

5In thee and old Fuficius, rogue twice-cookt.

6Again at these mine innocent iamb-lines

7Wi’ wrath be wrothest; unique Emperor!

Poem 55

1We 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.

6Nor 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!

11Till 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,

25Or 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.

30Tho’ 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,

16Be 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!

21But, an it please thee, padlockt palate bear, So in your friendship I have partner-share.

Poem 56

1O risible matter (Cato!) and jocose,

2Digne of thy hearing, of thy sneering digne.

3Laugh (Cato!) an thou love Catullus thine;

4The thing is risible, nay, too jocose.

5Erstwhile I came upon a lad who a lass

6Was [...] and (so please it Dion!) I

7Pierced him with stiffest staff and did him die.

Poem 57

1Right 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:

6Morbose 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.

Poem 58

1Caelius! That Lesbia of ours, that Lesbia,

2That only Lesbia by Catullus loved,

3Than self, far fondlier, than all his friends,

4She now Where four roads fork, and wind the wynds

5Husks the high-minded scions Remus-sprung.

Poem 59

1Rufa the Bolognese drains Rufule dry,

2(Wife to Menenius) she ’mid tombs you’ll spy,

3The same a-snatching supper from the pyre

4Following the bread-loaves rolling forth the fire

5Till frapped by half-shaved body-burner’s ire.

Poem 60

1Bare thee some lioness wild in Lybian wold?

2Or Scylla barking from low’st inguinal fold?

3With so black spirit, of so dure a mould,

4E’en voice of suppliant must thou disregard

5In latest circumstance ah, heart o’er hard?

Poem 61

1Of Helicon-hill, O Thou that be Haunter, Urania’s progeny, Who hurriest soft virginity To man, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus.

6About 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.

11And, 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.

16For 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.

21A maiden shining bright of blee, As Myrtle branchlet Asia bred, Which Hamadryad deity As toy for joyance aye befed With humour of the dew.

26Then 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.

31And 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.

36And likewise ye, clean virginal Maidens, to whom shall haps befall Like day, in measure join ye all Singing, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus.

41That 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.

46What God than other Godheads more Must love-sick wights for aid implore? Whose Godhead foremost shall adore Mankind? O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus.

51Thee 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.

56Thou 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.

61Thou 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?

66Thou 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?

71An 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?

76Your 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. [...]

80[...] [...] [...] Who more she hears us weeps the more, That needs she must advance.

86Cease raining tear-drops! not for thee, Aurunculeia, risk we deem, That fairer femininety Clear day outdawned from Ocean stream Shall ever more behold.

91Such 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.”

96Prithee, 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.

101Not 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.

106But 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!

111Couchlet which to me and all [...] [...] [...] With bright white bedstead foot.

116What 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!

121Your 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!

126Lest 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.

131Throw 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.

136Wont 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.

141’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!

146We 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.

151Thou too, O Bride, whatever dare Thy groom, of coy rebuff beware, Lest he to find elsewhither fare. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus.

156Lo! 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!

161Till 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.

166O’erstep with omen meetest meet The threshold-stone thy golden feet Up, past the polisht panels fleet. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymerneus.

171Within bestrewn thy bridegroom see On couch of Tyrian cramoisy All imminent awaiting thee. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus.

176For 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.

181Let 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.

186Ye wives time-tried to husbands wed, Well-known for chastity inbred, Dispose the virginette a-bed. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus.

191Groom, 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.

196Yet 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!

201No 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.

206Of 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.

211Play 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.

216A 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.

221Let 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.

226Approve 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.

231Fast 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.

Poem 62

1Vesper 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!

6View 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!

11Nowise 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:

16Vanquish’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! Hesperus! say what flame more cruel in Heaven be fanned?

21Thou 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!

26Hesperus! 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?

31Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! [...] Hesperus! one of ourselves (Companions!) carried elsewhither [...] Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!

32aaa[...] 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.

37What if assail they whom their souls in secrecy cherish? Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen here, O Hymenaeus! 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

41a[...] 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;

46Yet 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! E’en as an unmated vine which born in field of the barest Never upraises head nor breeds the mellowy grape-bunch,

51But 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:

56Thus 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! But do thou cease to resist (O Maid!) such bridegroom opposing,

60Right 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,

65Who to the stranger son have yielded their dues with a dower! Hymen O Hymenaeus: Hymen here, O Hymenaeus!

Poem 63

1O’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.

6Then 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

11She 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

16The 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,

21Whereloud 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,

26Thither 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

31Then 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

36O’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,

41And 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,

46And 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,

51By 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?

56Lief 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?

61Wretch, 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,

66My 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?

71I 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;

76Then 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.

81Go, 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,

86A-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.

91Great 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!

Poem 64

1Pine-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,

6Dared 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;

11Foremost 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.

16There 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,

21Then 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;

25You 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;

30Nor 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.

35Cieros 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,

40Never 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.

45Ivory 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.

50This 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,

55Nor 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.

60Him 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,

65Now 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,

70All 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

75Reacht 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.

80Seeing 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,

85Sought 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,

90Or 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,

95You, 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;

100How 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.

105For 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,—

110Thus 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

115Baffled 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

120Chose 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

125Poured 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,

130Spoke 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,

135(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

140Lavished; 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,

145Who 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

150Deadly, 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?

155What 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,

160Still 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,

165(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

170E’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,

175Nor 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?

180Aid 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,

185Nor 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,

190Ere 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,

195Hither, 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;

200But with the Will wherewith could Theseus leave me in loneness, Goddesses! bid that Will lead him, lead his, to destruction. 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,

205When 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,

210Nor 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:

215Son! 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

220Never 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;

225Then 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

230Sware 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,

235Then 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. Such were the mandates which stored at first in memory constant

239Faded 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,

244Headlong 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.

249She 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.

253a[...] 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,

258These 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,

263While 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

268Fulfilled, 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

273Urged, 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.

278After 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,

283All 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—

288Nor 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,

293So 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.

298Last 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.

303When 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

308Bright-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

313Gently 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.

318Still 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.

323O 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.

328Soon 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.

333Speed 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.

338Born 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.

343None 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.

348His 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.

353For 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

358Which 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,

363Whenas 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,

368Then 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,

373Now 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.

378[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

383Chaunted 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,

388Whenas 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

393Gladly 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

398And 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;

403After 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,

408Nor do they suffer themselves be met in light of the day-tide.

Poem 65

1Albeit 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,

6Lavèd 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,

10Say, 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.)

15Yet 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,

20In 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.

Poem 66

1He 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,

6Summoned 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,

11What 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’

16Pleasure 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.

21Yet 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

26E’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!

31What 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,

36Captive 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;

41Penalty 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

46Urged 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.

51Shortly 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,

56And 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

61Glitter 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

66Radiance 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.

71(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,

76Absence 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

81Nor 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,

86For 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;

91Nor 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.

Poem 67

1O 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,

6After 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? Never (so chance I to please Caeci1ius owning me now-a-days!) Is it my own default, how so they say it be mine;

11Nor 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! This be never enough for thee one-worded to utter,

16But in such way to deal, each and all sense it and see. What shall I do? None asks, while nobody troubles to know. Willing are we? unto us stay not thy saying to say. First let me note that the maid to us committed (assert they) Was but a fraud: her mate never a touch of her had,

21[...] [...] 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

26Or 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. ’Sooth, of egregious sire for piety wondrous, thou tellest, Who in the heart of his son lief was [...] !

31Yet 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. Eke of Posthumius’ loves and Cornelius too there be tattle,

36With whom dared the dame evil advowtry commit. 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.

41Oft 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

46Nill 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.

Poem 68

1When 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

6Grants 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:

11But 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,

16Whenas 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.

21Then, 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

26Studies 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.

31Pardon 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;

36Out 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.

Poem 68a

1Nor 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

6Thousands 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.

11For 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

16Cease, 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,

21Sweetest 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:—

26Such 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

31Came 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

36Victims 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,

41Driven 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

46Should 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!

51Eke 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,

56Douce 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.

61Thither 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,

66Tare 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,

71Whenas 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,

76Nor 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,

81Who 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

86Dove-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.

91Worthy 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,

96Yet 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,

101Yet 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

104Whenas 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.

109This 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

114Wont 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.

119Lastly than every else one dearer than self and far dearer, Light of my life who alive living to me can endear.

Poem 69

1Wonder 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

6Horrible 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.

Poem 70

1Never, my woman oft says, with any of men will she mate be,

2Save wi’ my own very self, ask her though Jupiter deign!

3Says she: but womanly words that are spoken to desireful lover

4Ought to be written on wind or upon water that runs.

Poem 71

1An of a goat-stink damned from armpits fusty one suffer,

2Or if a crippling gout worthily any one rack,

3’Tis that rival o’ thine who lief in loves of you meddles,

4And, by a wondrous fate, gains him the twain of such ills.

5For that, oft as he [...] , so oft that penance be two-fold;

6Stifles her stench of goat, he too is kilt by his gout.

Poem 72

1Wont thou to vaunt whilòme of, knowing only Catullus

2(Lesbia!) nor to prefer Jupiter’s self to myself.

3Then, too, I loved thee well, not as vulgar wretch his mistress

4But as a father his sons loves and his sons by the law.

5Now have I learnt thee aright; wherefor though burn I the hotter,

6Lighter and viler by far thou unto me hast become.

7How can this be? dost ask: ’tis that such injury ever

8Forces the hotter to love, also the less well to will.

Poem 73

1Cease thou of any to hope desirèd boon of well-willing,

2Or deem any shall prove pious and true to his dues.

3Waxes the world ingrate, no deed benevolent profits,

4Nay full oft it irks even offending the more:

5Such is my case whom none maltreats more grievously bitter,

6Than does the man that me held one and only to friend.

Poem 74

1Wont was Gellius hear his uncle rich in reproaches,

2When any ventured aught wanton in word or in deed.

3Lest to him chance such befall, his uncle’s consort seduced he,

4And of his uncle himself fashioned an Harpocrates.

5What so he willed did he; and nowdays albe his uncle

6[...] he, no word ever that uncle shall speak.

Poem 75

1Now is my mind to a pass, my Lesbia, brought by thy treason,

2So in devotion to thee lost is the duty self due,

3Nor can I will thee well if best of women thou prove thee,

4Nor can I cease to love, do thou what doings thou wilt.

Poem 76

1If 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,

6Out 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?

11Why 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;

16This 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,

21Which 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.

26Oh Gods, grant me this boon unto my piety due!

Poem 77

1Rufus, trusted as friend by me, so fruitlessly, vainly,

2(Vainly? nay to my bane and at a ruinous price!)

3Hast thou cajoled me thus, and enfiring innermost vitals,

4Ravished the whole of our good own’d by wretchedest me?

5Ravished; (alas and alas!) of our life thou cruellest cruel

6Venom, (alas and alas!) plague of our friendship and pest.

Poem 78

1Gallus 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,

6When 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.

Poem 79

1Lesbius is beauty-man: why not? when Lesbia wills him

2Better, Catullus, than thee backed by the whole of thy clan.

3Yet may that beauty-man sell all his clan with Catullus,

4An of three noted names greeting salute he can gain.

Poem 80

1How shall I (Gellius!) tell what way lips rosy as thine are

2Come to be bleached and blanched whiter than wintry snow,

3When as thou quittest the house a-morn, and at two after noon-tide

4Roused from quiet repose, wakest for length of the day?

5Certès sure am I not an Rumour rightfully whisper

6[...]

7[...]

8[...]

Poem 81

1Could there never be found in folk so thronging (Juventius!)

2Any one charming thee whom thou couldst fancy to love,

3Save and except that host from deadliest site of Pisaurum,

4Wight than a statue gilt wanner and yellower-hued,

5Whom to thy heart thou takest and whom thou darest before us

6Choose? But villain what deed doest thou little canst wot!

Poem 82

1Quintius! an thou wish that Catullus should owe thee his eyes

2Or aught further if aught dearer can be than his eyes,

3Thou wilt not ravish from him what deems he dearer and nearer

4E’en than his eyes if aught dearer there be than his eyes.

Poem 83

1Lesbia heaps upon me foul words her mate being present;

2Which to that simple soul causes the fullest delight.

3Mule! naught sensest thou: did she forget us in silence,

4Whole she had been; but now what so she rails and she snarls,

5Not only dwells in her thought, but worse and even more risky,

6Wrathful she bides. Which means, she is afire and she fumes.

Poem 84

1Wontis 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

6Speak, 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,

11Namely th’ lonian waves when Arrius thither had wended, Were lonian no more—they had Hionian become.

Poem 85

1Hate I, and love I. Haps thou’lt ask me wherefore I do so.

2Wot I not, yet so I do feeling a torture of pain.

Poem 86

1Quintia beautiful seems to the crowd; to me, fair, and tall,

2Straight; and merits as these readily thus I confess,

3But that she is beauteous all I deny, for nothing of lovesome,

4Never a grain of salt, shows in her person so large.

5Lesbia beautiful seems, and when all over she’s fairest,

6Any Venus-gift stole she from every one.

Poem 87

1Never a woman could call herself so fondly beloved

2Truly as Lesbia mine has been beloved of myself.

3Never were Truth and Faith so firm in any one compact

4As on the part of me kept I my love to thyself.

Poem 88

1What may he (Gellius!) do that ever for mother and sister

2Itches and wakes thro’ the nights, working wi’ tunic bedoffed?

3What may he do who nills his uncle ever be husband?

4Wottest thou how much he ventures of sacrilege-sin?

5Ventures he (O Gellius!) what ne’er can ultimate Tethys

6Wash from his soul, nor yet Ocean, watery sire.

7For that of sin there’s naught wherewith this sin can exceed he

8[...] his head on himself.

Poem 89

1Gellius is lean: Why not?For him so easy a mother

2Lives, and a sister so boon, bonny and buxom to boot,

3Uncle so kindly good and all things full of his lady-

4Cousins, how can he cease leanest of lankies to be?

5Albeit, touch he naught save that whose touch is a scandal,

6Soon shall thou find wherefor he be as lean as thou like.

Poem 90

1Born be a Magus, got by Gellius out of his mother

2(Marriagenefand!) who shall Persian augury learn.

3Needs it a Magus begot of son upon mother who bare him,

4If that impious faith, Persian religion be fact,

5So may their issue adore busy gods with recognised verses

6Melting in altar-flame fatness contained by the caul.

Poem 91

1Not 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,

6This 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.

Poem 92

1Lesbia naggeth at me evermore and ne’er is she silent

2Touching myself: May I die but that by Lesbia I’m loved.

3What be the proof?I rail and retort like her and revile her

4Carefully, yet may I die but that I love her with love.

Poem 93

1Study I not o’ermuch to please thee (Caesar!) and court thee,

2Nor do I care e’en to know an thou be white or be black.

Poem 94

1Mentula wooeth much: much wooeth he, be assurèd.

2That is, e’en as they say, the Pot gathers leeks for the pot.

Poem 95

1Zmyrna 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,

6Zmyrna 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.

Poem 96

1If to the dumb deaf tomb can aught or grateful or pleasing

2(Calvus!) ever accrue rising from out of our dule,

3Wherewith yearning desire renews our loves in the bygone,

4And for long friendships lost many a tear must be shed;

5Certès, never so much for doom of premature death-day

6Must thy Quintilia mourn as she is joyed by thy love.

Poem 97

1Never (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,

6Set 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?

11Him if a damsel kiss we fain must think she be ready With her fair lips [...]

Poem 98

1Rightly of thee may be said, an of any, (thou stinkingest Victius!)

2Whatso wont we to say touching the praters and prigs.

3Thou wi’ that tongue o’ thine own, if granted occasion availest

4Brogues of the cowherds to kiss, also their [...]

5Wouldst thou undo us all with a thorough undoing (O Victius!)

6Open thy gape:—thereby all shall be wholly undone.

Poem 99

1E’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

6Tittle 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.

11Further, 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,

16After this never again kiss will I venture to snatch.

Poem 100

1Caelius Aufilénus and Quintius Aufiléna,

2Love to the death, both swains bloom of the youth Veronese,

3This woo’d brother and that sue’d sister: so might the matter

4Claim to be titled wi’ sooth fairest fraternalest tie.

5Whom shall I favour the first?Thee (Caelius!) for thou hast provèd

6Singular friendship to us shown by the deeds it has done,

7Whenas the flames insane had madded me, firing my marrow:

8Caelius! happy be thou; ever be lusty in love.

Poem 101

1Faring 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,

6Woe 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,

10And,for ever and aye (Brother!) all hail and farewell.

Poem 102

1If by confiding friend aught e’er be trusted in silence,

2Unto a man whose mind known is for worthiest trust,

3Me shalt thou find no less than such to secrecy oath-bound,

4(Cornelius!) and now hold me an Harpocrates.

Poem 103

1Or, d’ye hear, refund those ten sestertia (Silo!)

2Then be thou e’en at thy will surly and savage o’ mood:

3Or, an thou love o’er-well those moneys, prithee no longer

4Prove thee a pimp and withal surly and savage o’ mood.

Poem 104

1Canst thou credit that I could avail to revile my life-love,

2She who be dearer to me even than either my eyes?

3Ne’er could I, nor an I could, should I so losingly love her:

4But with Tappo thou dost design every monstrous deed.

Poem 105

1Mentula fain would ascend Pipléan mountain up-mounting:

2Pitch him the Muses down headlong wi’ forklets a-hurled.

Poem 106

1When with a pretty-faced boy we see one playing the Crier,

2What can we wot except longs he for selling the same?

Poem 107

1An to one ever accrue any boon he lusted and longed for

2Any time after despair, grateful it comes to his soul.

3Thus ’tis grateful to us nor gold was ever so goodly,

4When thou restorest thyself (Lesbia!) to loving-most me,

5Self thou restorest unhoped, and after despair thou returnest.

6Oh the fair light of a Day noted with notabler white!

7Where lives a happier man than myself or—this being won me—

8Who shall e’er boast that his life brought him more coveted lot?

Poem 108

1If by the verdict o’ folk thy hoary old age(O Cominius!)

2Filthy with fulsomest lust ever be doomed to the death,

3Make I no manner of doubt but first thy tongue to the worthy

4Ever a foe, cut out, ravening Vulture shall feed;

5Gulp shall the Crow’s black gorge those eye-balls dug from their sockets,

6Guts of thee go to the dogs, all that remains to the wolves.

Poem 109

1Gladsome to me, O my life, this love whose offer thou deignest

2Between us twain lively and lusty to last soothfast.

3(Great Gods!) grant ye the boon that prove her promises loyal,

4Saying her say in truth spoken with spirit sincere;

5So be it lawful for us to protract through length of our life-tide

6Mutual pact of our love, pledges of holy good will!

Poem 110

1Aufiléna! for aye good lasses are lauded as loyal:

2Price of themselves they accept when they intend to perform.

3All thou promised’st me in belying proves thee unfriendly,

4For never giving and oft taking is deed illy done.

5Either as honest to grant, or modest as never to promise,

6Aufiléna! were fair, but at the gifties to clutch

7Fraudfully, viler seems than greed of greediest harlot

8Who with her every limb maketh a whore of herself.

Poem 111

1Aufiléna! to live content with only one husband,

2Praise is and truest of praise ever bestowed upon wife.

3Yet were it liefer to lie any wise with any for lover,

4Than to be breeder of boys uncle as cousins begat.

Poem 112

1Great th’art (Naso!) as man, nor like thee many in greatness

2Lower themselves (Naso!): great be thou, pathic to boot.

Poem 113

1Pompey first being chosen Consul, twofold (O Cinna!)

2Men for amours were famed:also when chosen again

3Two they remained; but now is each one grown to a thousand

4Gallants:—fecundate aye springeth adultery’s seed.

Poem 114

1For yon Firmian domain not falsely Mentula hight is

2Richard, owning for self so manyexcellent things—

3Fish, fur, feather, all kinds, with prairie, corn-land, and ferals.

4All no good: for th’ outgoing, income immensely exceeds.

5Therefore his grounds be rich own I, while he’s but a pauper.

6Laud we thy land while thou lackest joyance thereof.

Poem 115

1Mentula! masterest thou some thirty acres of grassland

2Full told, forty of field soil; others are sized as the sea.

3Why may he not surpass in his riches any a Crœsus

4Who in his one domain owns such abundance of good,

5Grasslands, arable fields, vast woods and forest and marish

6Yonder to Boreal-bounds trenching on Ocean tide?

7Great are indeed all these, but thou by far be the greatest,

8Never a man, but a great Mentula of menacing might.

Poem 116

1Seeking often in mind with spirit eager of study

2How I could send thee songs chaunted of Battiadés,

3So thou be softened to us, nor any attempting thou venture

4Shot of thy hostile shaft piercing me high as its head,—

5Now do I ken this toil with vainest purpose was taken,

6(Gellius!) nor herein aughthave our prayers availèd.

7Therefore we’ll parry with cloak what shafts thou shootest against us;

8And by our bolts transfixt, penalty due thou shalt pay.

Contents — 115 sections

1. Book lyrics, Poem 1
2. Book lyrics, Poem 2
3. Book lyrics, Poem 3
4. Book lyrics, Poem 4
5. Book lyrics, Poem 5
6. Book lyrics, Poem 6
7. Book lyrics, Poem 7
8. Book lyrics, Poem 8
9. Book lyrics, Poem 9
10. Book lyrics, Poem 10
11. Book lyrics, Poem 11
12. Book lyrics, Poem 12
13. Book lyrics, Poem 13
14. Book lyrics, Poem 14
15. Book lyrics, Poem 14a
16. Book lyrics, Poem 15
17. Book lyrics, Poem 16
18. Book lyrics, Poem 17
19. Book lyrics, Poem 21
20. Book lyrics, Poem 22
21. Book lyrics, Poem 23
22. Book lyrics, Poem 24
23. Book lyrics, Poem 25
24. Book lyrics, Poem 26
25. Book lyrics, Poem 27
26. Book lyrics, Poem 28
27. Book lyrics, Poem 29
28. Book lyrics, Poem 30
29. Book lyrics, Poem 31
30. Book lyrics, Poem 32
31. Book lyrics, Poem 33
32. Book lyrics, Poem 34
33. Book lyrics, Poem 35
34. Book lyrics, Poem 36
35. Book lyrics, Poem 37
36. Book lyrics, Poem 38
37. Book lyrics, Poem 39
38. Book lyrics, Poem 40
39. Book lyrics, Poem 41
40. Book lyrics, Poem 42
41. Book lyrics, Poem 43
42. Book lyrics, Poem 44
43. Book lyrics, Poem 45
44. Book lyrics, Poem 46
45. Book lyrics, Poem 47
46. Book lyrics, Poem 48
47. Book lyrics, Poem 49
48. Book lyrics, Poem 50
49. Book lyrics, Poem 51
50. Book lyrics, Poem 52
51. Book lyrics, Poem 53
52. Book lyrics, Poem 54
53. Book lyrics, Poem 55
54. Book lyrics, Poem 56
55. Book lyrics, Poem 57
56. Book lyrics, Poem 58
57. Book lyrics, Poem 59
58. Book lyrics, Poem 60
59. Book long_poems, Poem 61
60. Book long_poems, Poem 62
61. Book long_poems, Poem 63
62. Book long_poems, Poem 64
63. Book elegies, Poem 65
64. Book elegies, Poem 66
65. Book elegies, Poem 67
66. Book elegies, Poem 68
67. Book elegies, Poem 68a
68. Book elegies, Poem 69
69. Book elegies, Poem 70
70. Book elegies, Poem 71
71. Book elegies, Poem 72
72. Book elegies, Poem 73
73. Book elegies, Poem 74
74. Book elegies, Poem 75
75. Book elegies, Poem 76
76. Book elegies, Poem 77
77. Book elegies, Poem 78
78. Book elegies, Poem 79
79. Book elegies, Poem 80
80. Book elegies, Poem 81
81. Book elegies, Poem 82
82. Book elegies, Poem 83
83. Book elegies, Poem 84
84. Book elegies, Poem 85
85. Book elegies, Poem 86
86. Book elegies, Poem 87
87. Book elegies, Poem 88
88. Book elegies, Poem 89
89. Book elegies, Poem 90
90. Book elegies, Poem 91
91. Book elegies, Poem 92
92. Book elegies, Poem 93
93. Book elegies, Poem 94
94. Book elegies, Poem 95
95. Book elegies, Poem 96
96. Book elegies, Poem 97
97. Book elegies, Poem 98
98. Book elegies, Poem 99
99. Book elegies, Poem 100
100. Book elegies, Poem 101
101. Book elegies, Poem 102
102. Book elegies, Poem 103
103. Book elegies, Poem 104
104. Book elegies, Poem 105
105. Book elegies, Poem 106
106. Book elegies, Poem 107
107. Book elegies, Poem 108
108. Book elegies, Poem 109
109. Book elegies, Poem 110
110. Book elegies, Poem 111
111. Book elegies, Poem 112
112. Book elegies, Poem 113
113. Book elegies, Poem 114
114. Book elegies, Poem 115
115. Book elegies, Poem 116

Book lyrics, Poem 1

1Cui 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

6omne aevum tribus explicare chartis, doctis, Iuppiter, et laboriosis! quare habe tibi quidquid hoc libelli qualecumque, quod, o patrona virgo, plus uno maneat perenne saeclo.

Book lyrics, Poem 2

1Passer, deliciae meae puellae, quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere, cui primum digitum dare adpetenti et acris solet incitare morsus, cum desiderio meo nitenti

6carum nescio quid libet iocari (et solaciolum sui doloris, credo, ut tum gravis adquiescat ardor), tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem et tristis animi levare curas!

10a[...] Tam gratum est mihi quam ferunt puellae pernici aureolum fuisse malum, quod zonam solvit diu ligatam.

Book lyrics, Poem 3

1Lugete, o Veneres Cupidinesque et quantum est hominum venustiorum! passer mortuus est meae puellae, passer, deliciae meae puellae, quem plus illa oculis suis amabat;

6nam 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.

11qui 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.

16o factum male! o miselle passer! tua nunc opera meae puellae flendo turgiduli rubent ocelli.

Book lyrics, Poem 4

1Phasellus ille, quem videtis, hospites, ait fuisse navium celerrimus, neque ullius natantis impetum trabis nequisse praeterire, sive palmulis opus foret volare sive linteo.

6et hoc negat minacis Hadriatici negare litus insulasve Cycladas Rhodumque nobilem horridamque Thraciam Propontida trucemve Ponticum sinum, ubi iste post phasellus antea fuit

11comata 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

16tuo 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

21simul 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

26senet quiete seque dedicat tibi, gemelle Castor et gemelle Castoris.

Book lyrics, Poem 5

1Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus, rumoresque senum severiorum omnes unius aestimemus assis. soles occidere et redire possunt: nobis, cum semel occidit brevis lux,

6nox 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,

11conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus, aut ne quis malus invidere possit, cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.

Book lyrics, Poem 6

1Flavi, delicias tuas Catullo, ni sint inlepidae atque inelegantes, velles dicere, nec tacere posses. verum nescio quid febriculosi scorti diligis: hoc pudet fateri.

6nam te non viduas iacere noctes nequiquam tacitum cubile clamat sertis ac Syrio fragrans olivo, pulvinusque peraeque et hic et ille attritus, tremulique quassa lecti

11argutatio inambulatioque. nam nil stupra valet, nihil, tacere. cur? non tam latera ecfututa pandas, ni tu quid facias ineptiarum. quare, quidquid habes boni malique,

16dic nobis: volo te ac tuos amores ad caelum lepido vocare versu.

Book lyrics, Poem 7

1Quaeris quot mihi basiationes tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque. quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae laserpiciferis iacet Cyrenis, oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi

6et 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,

11quae nec pernumerare curiosi possint nec mala fascinare lingua.

Book lyrics, Poem 8

1Miser Catulle, desinas ineptire, et quod vides perisse perditum ducas. fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles, cum ventitabas quo puella ducebat amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla.

6ibi 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,

11sed 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!

16quis nunc te adibit? cui videberis bella? quem nunc amabis? cuius esse diceris? quem basiabis? cui labella mordebis? at tu, Catulle, destinatus obdura.

Book lyrics, Poem 9

1Verani, omnibus e meis amicis antistans mihi milibus trecentis, venistine domum ad tuos penates fratresque unanimos anumque matrem? venisti! o mihi nuntii beati!

6visam te incolumem audiamque Hiberum narrantem loca, facta, nationes, ut mos est tuus, applicansque collum iucundum os oculosque saviabor. o, quantum est hominum beatiorum,

11quid me laetius est beatiusve?

Book lyrics, Poem 10

1Varus 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

6sermones 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,

11cur quisquam caput unctius referret, praesertim quibus esset irrumator praetor nec faceret pili cohortem. at certe tamen, inquiunt, quod illic natum dicitur esse comparasti,

16ad 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.

21at 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

26istos 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.

31verum, 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.

Book lyrics, Poem 11

1Furi et Aureli, comites Catulli, sive in extremos penetrabit Indos, litus ut longe resonante Eoa tunditur unda, sive in Hyrcanos Arabasve molles,

6seu Sacas sagittiferosve Parthos, sive quae septemgeminus colorat aequora Nilus, sive trans altas gradietur Alpes Caesaris visens monimenta magni,

11Gallicum Rhenum, horribile aequor, ulti- mosque Britannos, omnia haec, quaecumque feret voluntas caelitum, temptare simul parati, pauca nuntiate meae puellae

16non bona dicta. cum suis vivat valeatque moechis, quos simul complexa tenet trecentos, nullum amans vere, sed identidem omnium ilia rumpens;

21nec meum respectet, ut ante, amorem, qui illius culpa cecidit velut prati ultimi flos, praetereunte postquam tactus aratro est.

Book lyrics, Poem 12

1Marrucine 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

6non credis mihi?crede Pollioni fratri, qui tua furta vel talento mutari velit; est enim leporum disertus puer ac facetiarum. quare aut hendecasyllabos trecentos

11exspecta, aut mihi linteum remitte, quod me non movet aestimatione, verum est mnemosynum mei sodalis. nam sudaria Saetaba ex Hiberis miserunt mihi muneri Fabullus

16et Veranius: haec amem necesse est et Veraniolum meum et Fabullum.

Book lyrics, Poem 13

1Cenabis 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.

6haec si, inquam, attuleris, venuste noster cenabis bene; nam tui Catulli plenus sacculus est aranearum. sed contra accipies meros amores seu quid suavius elegantiusve est:

11nam unguentum dabo, quod meae puellae donarunt Veneres Cupidinesque, quod tu cum olfacies, deos rogabis totum ut te faciant, Fabulle, nasum.

Book lyrics, Poem 14

1Ni 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?

6isti 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,

11quod non dispereunt tui labores. di magni, horribilem et sacrum libellum, quem tu scilicet ad tuum Catullum misti, continuo ut die periret, Saturnalibus, optimo dierum!

16non, non hoc tibi, false, sic abibit: nam, si luxerit, ad librariorum curram scrinia, Caesios, Aquinos, Suffenum, omnia colligam venena, ac te his suppliciis remunerabor.

21vos hinc interea valete, abite illuc unde malum pedem attulistis, saecli incommoda, pessimi poetae.

Book lyrics, Poem 14a

1Si qui forte mearum ineptiarum

2lectores eritis manusque vestras

3non horrebitis admovere nobis,

3ff[...]

Book lyrics, Poem 15

1Commendo tibi me ac meos amores, Aureli. Veniam peto pudentem, ut, si quicquam animo tuo cupisti quod castum expeteres et integellum, conserves puerum mihi pudice,

6non 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.

11quem 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,

16ut nostrum insidiis caput lacessas, ah tum te miserum malique fati, quem attractis pedibus patente porta percurrent raphanique mugilesque.

Book lyrics, Poem 16

1Pedicabo 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

6ipsum, 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,

11qui duros nequeunt movere lumbos. vos quod milia multa basiorum legistis, male me marem putatis? pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo.

Book lyrics, Poem 17

1O 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,

6in 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

11lividissima 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,

16adservanda 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

21talis 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,

26ferream ut soleam tenaci in voragine mula.

Book lyrics, Poem 21

1Aureli, 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,

6haerens 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,

11ah me me, puer et sitire discet. quare desine, dum licet pudico, ne finem facias, sed irrumatus.

Book lyrics, Poem 22

1Suffenus 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

6relata: 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

11rursus 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

16aeque 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,

21sed non videmus manticae quod in tergo est.

Book lyrics, Poem 23

1Furi, 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

6et 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,

11non 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?

16a 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;

21atque 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,

26et sestertia quae soles precari centum desine: nam satis beatu's.

Book lyrics, Poem 24

1O 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,

6quam 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.

Book lyrics, Poem 25

1Cinaede 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,

6remitte 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

11inusta turpiter tibi flagella conscribillent, et insolenter aestues velut minuta magno deprensa navis in mari vesaniente vento.

Book lyrics, Poem 26

1Furi, villula vestra non ad Austri

2flatus opposita est neque ad Favoni

3nec saevi Boreae aut Apeliotae,

4verum ad milia quindecim et ducentos.

5o ventum horribilem atque pestilentem!

Book lyrics, Poem 27

1Minister vetuli puer Falerni

2inger mi calices amariores,

3ut lex Postumiae iubet magistrae,

4ebrioso acino ebriosioris.

5at vos quo libet hinc abite, lymphae,

6vini pernicies, et ad severos

7migrate: hic merus est Thyonianus.

Book lyrics, Poem 28

1Pisonis comites, cohors inanis aptis sarcinulis et expeditis, Verani optime tuque mi Fabulle, quid rerum geritis? Satisne cum isto vappa frigoraque et famem tulistis?

6ecquidnam 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.

11sed, quantum video, pari fuistis casu: nam nihilo minore verpa farti estis. pete nobiles amicos. at vobis mala multa di deaeque dent, opprobria Romuli Remique.

Book lyrics, Poem 29

1Quis 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?

6et 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.

11eone nomine, imperator unice, fuisti in ultima occidentis insula, ut ista vestra diffututa mentula ducenties comesset aut trecenties? quid est alid sinistra liberalitas?

16parum 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.

21quid hunc malum fovetis? aut quid hic potest nisi uncta devorare patrimonia? eone nomine † urbis opulentissime socer generque, perdidistis omnia?

Book lyrics, Poem 30

1Alfene 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.

6eheu, 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.

11si tu oblitus es, at di meminerunt, meminit Fides, quae te ut paeniteat postmodo facti faciet tui.

Book lyrics, Poem 31

1Paene 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

6liquisse 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?

11hoc 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.

Book lyrics, Poem 32

1Amabo, mea dulcis Ipsithilla, meae deliciae, mei lepores, iube ad te veniam meridiatum. et si iusseris illud, adiuvato, ne quis liminis obseret tabellam,

6neu tibi libeat foras abire; sed domi maneas paresque nobis novem continuas fututiones. verum, si quid ages, statim iubeto: nam pransus iaceo et satur supinus

11pertundo tunicamque palliumque.

Book lyrics, Poem 33

1O furum optime balneariorum

2Vibenni pater, et cinaede fili,

3(nam dextra pater inquinatiore,

4culo filius est voraciore)

5cur non exsilium malasque in oras

6itis, quandoquidem patris rapinae

7notae sunt populo, et natis pilosas,

8fili, non potes asse venditare?

Book lyrics, Poem 34

1Dianae sumus in fide puellae et pueri integri; Dianam pueri integri puellaeque canamus. O Latonia, maximi

6magna progenies Iovis, quam mater prope Deliam deposivit olivam, montium domina ut fores silvarumque virentium

11saltuumque reconditorum amniumque sonantum; tu Lucina dolentibus Iuno dicta puerperis, tu potens Trivia et notho es

16dicta lumine Luna. tu cursu, dea, menstruo metiens iter annuum rustica agricolae bonis tecta frugibus exples.

21sis quocumque tibi placet sancta nomine, Romulique, antique ut solita es, bona sospites ope gentem.

Book lyrics, Poem 35

1Poetae tenero, meo sodali velim Caecilio, papyre, dicas, Veronam veniat, Novi relinquens Comi moenia Lariumque litus: nam quasdam volo cogitationes

6amici accipiat sui meique. quare, si sapiet, viam vorabit, quamvis candida milies puella euntem revocet manusque collo ambas iniciens roget morari,

11quae nunc, si mihi vera nuntiantur, illum deperit impotente amore: nam quo tempore legit incohatam Dindymi dominam, ex eo misellae ignes interiorem edunt medullam.

16ignosco tibi, Sapphica puella Musa doctior: est enim venuste Magna Caecilio incohata Mater.

Book lyrics, Poem 36

1Annales Volusi, cacata charta, votum solvite pro mea puella: nam sanctae Veneri Cupidinique vovit, si sibi restitutus essem desissemque truces vibrare iambos,

6electissima pessimi poetae scripta tardipedi deo daturam infelicibus ustilanda lignis. et hoc pessima se puella vidit iocose lepide vovere divis.

11nunc, o caeruleo creata ponto, quae sanctum Idalium Uriosque apertos, quaeque Ancona Cnidumque harundinosam colis, quaeque Amathunta, quaeque Golgos, quaeque Durrachium Hadriae tabernam,

16acceptum face redditumque votum, si non inlepidum neque invenustum est. at vos interea venite in ignem, pleni ruris et inficetiarum Annales Volusi, cacata charta.

Book lyrics, Poem 37

1Salax taberna vosque contubernales, a pilleatis nona fratribus pila, solis putatis esse mentulas vobis, solis licere quidquid est puellarum confutuere et putare ceteros hircos?

6an, continenter quod sedetis insulsi centum an ducenti, non putatis ausurum me una ducentos irrumare sessores? atqui putate: namque totius vobis frontem tabernae sopionibus scribam.

11puella 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,

16omnes pusilli et semitarii moechi: tu praeter omnes une de capillatis, cuniculosae Celtiberiae fili, Egnati, opaca quem bonum facit barba et dens Hibera defricatus urina.

Book lyrics, Poem 38

1Male est, Cornifici, tuo Catullo,

2male est me hercule ei et laboriose,

3et magis magis in dies et horas.

4quem tu, quod minimum facillimumque est,

5qua solatus es adlocutione?

6irascor tibi.sic meos amores?

7paulum quid libet adlocutionis,

8maestius lacrimis Simonideis.

Book lyrics, Poem 39

1Egnatius, 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,

6renidet 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

11aut 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;

16nam 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,

21hoc te amplius bibisse praedicet loti.

Book lyrics, Poem 40

1Quaenam te mala mens, miselle Ravide,

2agit praecipitem in meos iambos?

3quis deus tibi non bene advocatus

4vecordem parat excitare rixam?

5an ut pervenias in ora vulgi?

6quid vis? qua libet esse notus optas?

7eris, quandoquidem meos amores

8cum longa voluisti amare poena.

Book lyrics, Poem 41

1Ameana puella defututa

2tota milia me decem poposcit,

3ista turpiculo puella naso,

4decoctoris amica Formiani.

5propinqui, quibus est puella curae,

6amicos medicosque convocate:

7non est sana puella, nec rogare

8qualis sit solet aes imaginosum.

Book lyrics, Poem 42

1Adeste, hendecasyllabi, quot estis omnes undique, quotquot estis omnes. iocum me putat esse moecha turpis et negat mihi vestra reddituram pugillaria, si pati potestis.

6persequamur eam, et reflagitemus. quae sit quaeritis? illa quam videtis turpe incedere, mimice ac moleste ridentem catuli ore Gallicani. circumsistite eam, et reflagitate:

11moecha 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.

16quod si non aliud potest, ruborem ferreo canis exprimamus ore. conclamate iterum altiore voce moecha putida, redde codicillos, redde, putida moecha, codicillos.

21sed nil proficimus, nihil movetur. mutanda est ratio modusque nobis, si quid proficere amplius potestis, pudica et proba, redde codicillos.

Book lyrics, Poem 43

1Salve, nec minimo puella naso

2nec bello pede nec nigris ocellis

3nec longis digitis nec ore sicco

4nec sane nimis elegante lingua,

5decoctoris amica Formiani.

6ten provincia narrat esse bellam?

7tecum Lesbia nostra comparatur?

8o saeclum insapiens et infacetum!

Book lyrics, Poem 44

1O 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,

6fui 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,

11orationem 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.

16quare 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,

21qui tunc vocat me cum malum librum legi.

Book lyrics, Poem 45

1Acmen 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,

6solus in Libya Indiaque tosta caesio veniam obvius leoni. hoc ut dixit, Amor, sinistra ut ante, dextra sternuit adprobationem. at Acme leviter caput reflectens

11et dulcis pueri ebrios ocellos illo purpureo ore saviata sic, inquit, mea vita, Septimille, huic uni domino usque serviamus, ut multo mihi maior acriorque

16ignis mollibus ardet in medullis. hoc ut dixit, Arnor, sinistra ut ante, dextra sternuit adprobationem. nunc ab auspicio bono profecti mutuis animis amant amantur.

21unam Septimius misellus Acmen mavult quam Syrias Britanniasque: uno in Septimio fidelis Acme facit delicias libidinesque. quis ullos homines beatiores

26vidit, quis Venerem auspicatiorem?

Book lyrics, Poem 46

1Iam ver egelidos refert tepores, iam caeli furor aequinoctialis iucundis Zephyri silescit auris. linquantur Phrygii, Catulle, campi Nicaeaeque ager uber aestuosae:

6ad 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

11diversae variae viae reportant.

Book lyrics, Poem 47

1Porci et Socration, duae sinistrae

2Pisonis, scabies famesque mundi,

3vos Veraniolo meo et Fabullo

4verpus praeposuit Priapus ille?

5vos convivia lauta sumptuose

6de die facitis? mei sodales

7quaerunt in trivio vocationes?

Book lyrics, Poem 48

1Mellitos oculos tuos, Iuventi,

2siquis me sinat usque basiare,

3usque ad milia basiem trecenta,

4nec unquam videar satur futurus,

5non si densior aridis aristis

6sit nostrae seges osculationis.

Book lyrics, Poem 49

1Disertissime Romuli nepotum,

2quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli,

3quotque post aliis erunt in annis,

4gratias tibi maximas Catullus

5agit pessimus omnium poeta,

6tanto pessimus omnium poeta

7quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

Book lyrics, Poem 50

1Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi multum lusimus in meis tabellis, ut convenerat esse delicatos. scribens versiculos uterque nostrum ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc,

6reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum. atque illinc abii tuo lepore incensus, Licini, facetiisque, ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret, nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos,

11sed toto indomitus furore lecto versarer cupiens videre lucem, ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem. at defessa labore membra postquam semimortua lectulo iacebant,

16hoc, 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.

21est vehemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.

Book lyrics, Poem 51

1Ille mi par esse deo videtur, ille, si fas est, superare divos qui sedens adversus identidem te spectat et audit dulce ridentem, misero quod omnis

6eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te, Lesbia, adspexi, nihil est super mi [...] lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus flamma demanat, sonitu suopte

11tintinant aures, gemina teguntur lumina nocte. otium, Catulle, tibi molestum est: otio exsultas nimiumque gestis. otium et reges prius et beatas

16perdidit urbes.

Book lyrics, Poem 52

1Quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori?

2sella in curuli struma Nonius sedet,

3per consulatum perierat Vatinius:

4quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori?

Book lyrics, Poem 53

1Risi nescio quem modo e corona,

2qui, cum mirifice Vatiniana

3meus crimina Calvus explicasset,

4admirans ait haec manusque tollens

5di magni, salaputium disertum!

Book lyrics, Poem 54

1Othonis caput oppido est pusillum,

1a[...]

2et eri rustica semilauta crura,

3subtile et leve peditum Libonis,

3a[...]

4si non omnia, displicere vellem

5tibi et Fuficio, seni recocto

5a[...]

6irascere iterum meis iambis

7immerentibus, unice imperator.

Book lyrics, Poem 55

1Oramus, 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.

6in Magni simul ambulatione femellas omnes, amice, prendi, quas vultu vidi tamen serenas. † A velte sic ipse flagitabam: camerium mihi, pessimae puellae!

11quaedam 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,

25non Ladas ego pinnipesve Perseus, non Rhesi niveae citaeque bigae: adde huc plumipedes volatilesque, ventorumque simul require cursum, quos vinctos, Cameri, mihi dicares:

30defessus tamen omnibus medullis et multis langoribus peresus essem te mihi, amice, quaeritando. tanto ten fastu negas, amice? dic nobis ubi sis futurus, ede

16audacter, committe, crede luci. nunc te lacteolae tenent puellae? si linguam clauso tenes in ore, fructus proicies amoris omnes: verbosa gaudet Venus loquella.

21vel vi vis, licet obseres palatum, dum veri sis particeps amoris.

Book lyrics, Poem 56

1O rem ridiculam, Cato, et iocosam

2dignamque auribus et tuo cachinno.

3ride, quidquid amas, Cato, Catullum:

4res est ridicula et nimis iocosa.

5deprendi modo pupulum puellae

6trusantem: hunc ego, si placet Dionae,

7pro telo rigida mea cecidi.

Book lyrics, Poem 57

1Pulchre convenit improbis cinaedis, Mamurrae pathicoque Caesarique. nec mirum: maculae pares utrisque, urbana altera et illa Formiana, impressae resident nec eluentur:

6morbosi pariter gemelli utrique, uno in lecticulo erudituli ambo, non hic quam ille magis vorax adulter, rivales socii puellularum: pulchre convenit improbis cinaedis.

Book lyrics, Poem 58

1Caeli, Lesbia nostra, Lesbia illa,

2illa Lesbia, quam Catullus unam

3plus quam se atque suos amavit omnes,

4nunc in quadriviis et angiportis

5glubit magnanimi Remi nepotes.

Book lyrics, Poem 59

1Bononiensis Rufa Rufulum fellat,

2uxor Meneni, saepe quam in sepulcretis

3vidistis ipso rapere de rogo cenam,

4cum devolutum ex igne prosequens panem

5ab semiraso tunderetur ustore.

Book lyrics, Poem 60

1Num te leaena montibus Libystinis

2aut Scylla latrans infima inguinum parte

3tam mente dura procreavit ac taetra,

4ut supplicis vocem in novissimo casu

5contemptam haberes, ah nimis fero corde?

Book long_poems, Poem 61

1Collis o Heliconii cultor, Uraniae genus, qui rapis teneram ad virum virginem, o Hymenaee Hymen, o Hymen Hymenaee,

6cinge tempora floribus suave olentis amaraci, flammeum cape, laetus huc, huc veni niveo gerens luteum pede soccum,

11excitusque hilari die nuptialia concinens voce carmina tinnula pelle humum pedibus, manu pineam quate taedam.

16namque Vinia Manilo, qualis Idalium colens venit ad Phrygium Venus iudicem, bona cum bona nubet alite virgo,

21floridis velut enitens myrtus Asia ramulis, quos hamadryades deae ludicrum sibi rosido nutriunt umore.

26quare age huc aditum ferens perge linquere Thespiae rupis Aonios specus, nympha quos super irrigat frigerans Aganippe,

31ac domum dominam voca coniugis cupidam novi, mentem amore revinciens ut tenax hedera huc et huc arborem implicat errans.

36vosque item simul, integrae virgines, quibus advenit par dies, agite in modum dicite, o Hymenaee Hymen, o Hymen Hymenaee.

41ut libentius, audiens se citarier ad suum munus, huc aditum ferat dux bonae Veneris, boni coniugator amoris.

46quis deus magis anxiis est petendus amantibus? quem colent homines magis caelitum? o Hymenaee Hymen, o Hymen Hymenaee.

51te suis tremulus parens invocat, tibi virgines zonula solvunt sinus, te timens cupida novus captat aure maritus.

56tu fero iuveni in manus floridam ipse puellulam dedis a gremio suae matris, o Hymenaee Hymen, o Hymen Hymenaee.

61nil potest sine te Venus fama quod bona comprobet commodi capere: at potest te volente.quis huic deo compararier ausit?

66nulla quit sine te domus liberos dare, nec parens stirpe nitier: at potest te volente.quis huic deo compararier ausit?

71quae tuis careat sacris non queat dare praesides terra finibus: at queat te volente.quis huic deo compararier ausit?

76claustra pandite ianuae, virgo adest. viden ut faces splendidas quatiunt comas? [...] [...]

81[...] [...] tardet ingenuus pudor: quem tamen magis audiens flet quod ire necesse est.

86flere desine. Non tibi, Au- runculeia, periculum est ne qua femina pulchrior clarum ab Oceano diem viderit venientem.

91talis in vario solet divitis domini hortulo stare flos hyacinthinus. sed moraris, abit dies: prodeas, nova nupta.

96prodeas, nova nupta, si iam videtur, et audias nostra verba.vide ut faces aureas quatiunt comas: prodeas, nova nupta.

101non tuus levis in mala deditus vir adultera probra turpia persequens a tuis teneris volet secubare papillis,

106lenta quin velut adsitas vitis implicat arbores, implicabitur in tuum complexum.Sed abit dies: prodeas, nova nupta.

111o cubile quod omnibus [...] [...] [...] candido pede lecti,

116quae tuo veniunt ero, quanta gaudia, quac vaga nocte, quae medio die gaudeat! sed abit dies: Prodeas, nova nupta.

121tollite, o pueri, faces: flammeum video venire. ite, concinite in modum o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

126ne diu taceat procax fescennina iocatio, nec nuces pueris neget desertum domini audiens concubinus amorem.

131da nuces pueris, iners concubine: satis diu lusisti nucibus: libet iam servire Talasio. concubine, nuces da.

136sordebant tibi vilicae, concubine, hodie atque heri: nunc tuum cinerarius tondet os. miser ah miser concubine, nuces da.

141diceris male te a tuis unguentate glabris marite abstinere: sed abstine. o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

146scimus haec tibi quae licent sola cognita: sed marito ista non eadem licent. o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

151nupta, tu quoque quae tuus vir petet cave ne neges, ne petitum aliunde eat. o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

156en tibi domus ut potens et beata viri tui: quae tibi sine serviat (o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee).

161usque dum tremulum movens cana tempus anilitas omnia omnibus adnuit. o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

166transfer omine cum bono limen aureolos pedes, rasilemque subi forem. o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

171adspice unus ut accubans vir tuus Tyrio in toro totus immineat tibi. o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

176illi non minus ac tibi pectore uritur intimo flamma, sed penite magis o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

181mitte bracchiolum teres, praetextate, puellulae: iam cubile adeat viri. o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

186o bonae senibus viris cognitae bene feminae, conlocate puellulam. o Hymen Hymenaee io, o Hymen Hymenaee.

191iam licet venias, marite: uxor in thalamo tibi est ore floridulo nitens alba parthenice velut luteumve papaver.

196at, marite, (ita me iuvent caelites) nihilo minus pulcher es, neque te Venus neglegit. sed abit dies: perge, ne remorare.

201non diu remoratus es, iam venis. bona te Venus iuverit, quoniam palam quod cupis cupis et bonum non abscondis amorem.

206ille pulveris Africi siderumque micantium subducat numerum prius, qui vestri numerare vult multa milia ludi.

211ludite ut libet, et brevi liberos date. non decet tam vetus sine liberis nomen esse, sed indidem semper ingenerari.

216Torquatus volo parvulus matris e gremio suae porrigens teneras manus dulce rideat ad patrem semihiante labello.

221sit suo similis patri Manlio et facile insciis noscitetur ab omnibus et pudicitiam suae matris indicet ore.

226talis illius a bona matre laus genus adprobet qualis unica ab optima matre Telemacho manet fama Penelopeo.

231claudite ostia, virgines: lusimus satis. at, boni coniuges, bene vivite et munere adsiduo valentem exercete iuventam.

Book long_poems, Poem 62

1Vesper 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.

6cernitis, 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.

11non 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:

16iure 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?

21qui 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.

26Hespere, 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?

31Hymen 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,

35Hespere, 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,

40ignotus 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:

45sic 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

50nunquam 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,

55multi 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.

60non 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,

65qui genero sua iura simul cum dote dederunt. Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee.

Book long_poems, Poem 63

1Super 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.

6itaque 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

11canere 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

16rapidum 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,

21ubi 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,

26quo 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.

31furibunda 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,

36nimio 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,

41pepulitque 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,

46liquidaque 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,

51ego 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?

56cupit 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?

61miser 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,

66mihi 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?

71ego 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,

76ibi 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.

81age 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,

86vadit, 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.

91dea magna, dea Cybelle, dea domina Dindymi, procul a mea tuus sit furor omnis, era, domo: alios age incitatos, alios age rabidos.

Book long_poems, Poem 64

1Peliaco 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

6ausi 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.

11illa 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.

16illa, 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,

21tum 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,

25teque 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

30Oceanusque, 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.

35deseritur 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,

40non 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.

45candet 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.

50haec 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,

55necdum 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.

60quem 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,

65non 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,

70toto 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

75attigit 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.

80quis 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

85magnanimum 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

90aurave 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,

95sancte 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,

100quanto 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.

105nam 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),

110sic 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

115tecti 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,

120omnibus 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

125clarisonas 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,

130atque 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

135immernor 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

140voce 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:

145quis 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

150eripui 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,

155quod 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,

160at 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

165exsternata 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

170fors 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,

175nec 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?

180an 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,

185nec 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

190quam 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,

195huc huc adventate, meas audite querelas, quas ego, vae miserae, extremis proferre medullis cogor inops, ardens, amenti caeca furore. quae quoniam verae nascuntur pectore ab imo, vos nolite pati nostrum vanescere luctum,

200sed 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,

205quo nutu tellus atque horrida contremuerunt aequora concussitque micantia sidera mundus. ipse autem caeca mentem caligine Theseus consitus oblito dimisit pectore cuncta quae mandata prius constanti mente tenebat,

210dulcia 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:

215gnate 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

220lumina 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,

225inde 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

230adnuit, 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

235candidaque intorti sustollant vela rudentes, quam primum cernens ut laeta gaudia mente agnoscam, cum te reducem aetas prospera sistet. haec mandata prius constanti mente tenentem Thesea ceu pulsae ventorum flamine nubes

240aerium 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

245amissum 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

250multiplices animo volvebat saucia curas. at parte ex alia florens volitabat Iacchus cum thiaso satyrorum et Nysigenis silenis te quaerens, Ariadna, tuoque incensus arnore. [...]

254quae 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,

259pars 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

264barbaraque 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.

269hic, 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,

274post 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

279advenit 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,

284quo 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

289fagos 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.

294post 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

299advenit, 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,

304large 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,

309at 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

314libratum 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

319vellera 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,

324Emathiae 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

329Hesperus, 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.

334nulla 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,

339hostibus 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,

344cum 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

349saepe 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

354sole 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,

359cuius 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

364excipiet 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,

369quae, 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,

374dedatur 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),

379anxia 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.

384praesentes 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,

389conspexit 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.

394saepe 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,

399perfudere 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

404impia 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.

Book elegies, Poem 65

1Etsi 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

6pallidulum manans adluit unda pedem, Troia Rhoeteo quem subter litore tellus Ereptum nostris obterit ex oculis. [...] nunquam ego te vita frater amabilior

11adspiciam 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

16haec 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,

21quod miserae oblitae molli sub veste locatum, dum adventu matris prosilit, excutitur; atque illud prono praeceps agitur decursu, huic manat tristi conscius ore rubor.

Book elegies, Poem 66

1Omnia 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

6dulcis 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,

11qua 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

16frustrantur 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.

21at 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

26cognoram 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!

31quis 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

36captam 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:

41digna 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

46per 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!

51abiunctae 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

56et 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

61fixa 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

66lumina, 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,

71(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

76afore 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

81tradite 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:

86namque 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,

91unguinis expertem non siris esse tuam me, sed potius largis adfice muneribus. sidera cur retinent? utinam coma regia fiam proximus Hydrochoi fulgeret Oarion.

Book elegies, Poem 67

1O 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,

6postquam 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,

11nec 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,

16sed 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,

21languidior 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,

26seu 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.

31atqui 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,

36cum 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?

41saepe 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

46nomine ne tollat rubra supercilia. longus homo est, magnas cui lites intulit olim falsum mendaci ventre puerperium.

Book elegies, Poem 68

1Quod 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

6desertum 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.

11sed 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,

16iucundum 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,

21tu 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

26haec 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.

31ignosces 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;

36huc 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.

Book elegies, Poem 68a

1non 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

6milibus et facite haec charta loquatur anus [...] notescatque magis mortuus atque magis, nec tenuem texens sublimis aranea telam in deserto Alli nomine opus faciat.

11nam 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

16cessarent 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,

21dulce 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,

26tale 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

31intulit 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

36hostia 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,

41coniugis 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,

46si 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:

51quaene 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,

56quae 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.

61ad 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,

66ereptum 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,

71quod quondam caesis montis fodisse medullis audit falsiparens Amphitryoniades, tempore quo certa Stymphalia monstra sagitta perculit imperio deterioris eri, pluribus ut caeli tereretur ianua divis,

76Hebe 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,

81qui, 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

86compar, 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.

91aut 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,

96rara 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.

101atqui nec divis homines componier aequum est [...] [...] ingratum tremuli tolle parentis onus. nec tamen illa mihi dextra deducta paterna

104fragrantem 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.

109hoc 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

114antiquis 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,

119et longe ante omnes mihi quae me carior ipso est, lux mea, qua viva vivere dulce mihi est.

Book elegies, Poem 69

1Noli 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

6valle 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.

Book elegies, Poem 70

1Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere malle

2quam mihi, non si se Iuppiter ipse petat.

3dicit: sed mulier cupido quod dicit amanti

4in vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.

Book elegies, Poem 71

1Si cui iure bono sacer alarum obstitit hircus,

2aut si quem merito tarda podagra secat,

3Aemulus iste tuus, qui vestrum exercet amorem,

4mirifice est a te nactus utrumque malum.

5nam quotiens futuit totiens ulciscitur ambos:

6illam adfligit odore, ipse perit podagra.

Book elegies, Poem 72

1Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,

2Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.

3dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,

4sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.

5nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror,

6multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.

7qui potis est? inquis. quod amantem iniuria talis

8cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

Book elegies, Poem 73

1Desine de quoquam quicquam bene velle mereri

2aut aliquem fieri posse putare pium.

3omnia sunt ingrata, nihil fecisse benigne:

4immo etiam taedet, taedet obestque magis:

5ut mihi, quem nemo gravius nec acerbius urget

6Quam modo qui me unum atque unicum amicum habuit.

Book elegies, Poem 74

1Gellius audierat patruum obiurgare solere,

2si quis delicias diceret aut faceret.

3hoc ne ipsi accideret, patrui perdepsuit ipsam

4uxorem et patruum reddidit Harpocratem.

5quod voluit fecit: nam, quamvis irrumet ipsum

6nunc patruum, verbum non faciet patruus.

Book elegies, Poem 75

1Huc est mens deducta tua, mea Lesbia, culpa,

2atque ita se officio perdidit ipsa suo,

3ut iam nec bene velle queat tibi, si optuma fias,

4nec desistere amare, omnia si facias.

Book elegies, Poem 76

1Si 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,

6ex 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?

11quin 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;

16hoc 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!

21hei 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.

26o di, reddite mi hoc pro pietate mea.

Book elegies, Poem 77

1Rufe mihi frustra ac nequiquam credite amice

2(frustra? immo magno cum pretio atque malo),

3sicine subrepsti mi atque intestina perurens

4hei misero eripuisti omnia nostra bona?

5eripuisti, eheu nostrae crudele venenum

6vitae, eheu nostrae pestis amicitiae.

Book elegies, Poem 78

1Gallus 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,

6qui patruus patrui monstret adulterium. [...] [...] Sed nunc id doleo quod purae pura puellae savia comminxit spurca saliva tua.

9verum id non impune feres: nam te omnia saecla noscent et qui sis fama loquetur anus.

Book elegies, Poem 79

1Lesbius est pulcher: quid ni? quem Lesbia malit

2quam te cum tota gente, Catulle, tua.

3sed tamen hic pulcher vendat cum gente Catullum,

4si tria notorum savia reppererit.

Book elegies, Poem 80

1Quid dicam, Gelli, quare rosea ista labella

2Hiberna fiant candidiora nive,

3mane domo cum exis et cum te octava quiete

4e molli longo suscitat hora die?

5nescio quid certe est: an vere fama susurrat

6grandia te medii tenta vorare viri?

7sic certe est: clamant Victoris rupta miselli

8ilia, et emulso labra notata sero.

Book elegies, Poem 81

1Nemone in tanto potuit populo esse, Iuventi,

2bellus homo quem tu diligere inciperes

3praeterquam iste tuus moribunda ab sede Pisauri

4hospes inaurata pallidior statua?

5qui tibi nunc cordi est, quem tu praeponere nobis

6audes et nescis quod facinus facias.

Book elegies, Poem 82

1Quinti, si tibi vis oculos debere Catullum

2aut aliud si quid carius est oculis,

3eripere ei noli multo quod carius illi

4est oculis seu quid carius est oculis.

Book elegies, Poem 83

1Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:

2haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.

3mule, nihil sentis. si nostri oblita taceret,

4sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,

5non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res,

6irata est: hoc est, uritur et loquitur.

Book elegies, Poem 84

1Chommoda 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,

6sic 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

11Ionios fluctus, postquam illuc Arrius isset, iam non Ionios esse, sed Hionios.

Book elegies, Poem 85

1Odi et amo. quare id faciam fortasse requiris

2nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.

Book elegies, Poem 86

1Quintia formosa est multis, mihi candida, longa,

2recta est. haec ego sic singula confiteor,

3totum illud formosa nego: nam nulla venustas,

4nulla in tam magno est corpore mica salis.

5Lesbia formosa est, quae cum pulcherrima tota est,

6tum omnibus una omnis subripuit Veneres.

Book elegies, Poem 87

1Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatam

2vere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea es

3nulla fides ullo fuit unquam in foedere tanta

4quanta in amore tuo ex parte reperta mea est.

Book elegies, Poem 88

1Quid facit is, Gelli, qui cum matre atque sorore

2prurit et abiectis pervigilat tunicis?

3quid facit is patruum qui non sinit esse maritum?

4ecquid scis quantum suscipiat sceleris?

5suscipit, o Gelli, quantum non ultima Tethys

6nec genitor nympharum abluit Oceanus:

7nam nihil est quicquam sceleris quo prodeat ultra,

8non si demisso se ipse voret capite.

Book elegies, Poem 89

1Gellius est tenuis: quid ni? cui tam bona mater

2tamque valens vivat tamque venusta soror

3tamque bonus patruus tamque omnia plena puellis

4cognatis, quare is desinat esse macer?

5qui ut nihil attingat, nisi quod fas tangere non est,

6quantumvis quare sit macer invenies.

Book elegies, Poem 90

1Nascatur magus ex Gelli matrisque nefando

2coniugio et discat Persicum haruspicium:

3nam magus ex matre et gnato gignatur oportet,

4si vera est Persarum impia religio,

5gratus ut accepto veneretur carmine divos

6omentum in flamma pingue liquefaciens.

Book elegies, Poem 91

1Non 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

6hanc 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.

Book elegies, Poem 92

1Lesbia mi dicit semper male nec tacet unquam

2de me: Lesbia me dispeream nisi amat.

3quo signo? quia sunt totidem mea: deprecor illam

4adsidue, verum dispeream nisi amo.

Book elegies, Poem 93

1Nil nimium studeo, Caesar, tibi velle placere,

2nec scire utrum sis albus an ater homo.

Book elegies, Poem 94

1Mentula moechatur. moechatur mentula certe.

2hoc est quod dicunt, ipsa olera olla legit.

Book elegies, Poem 95

1Zmyrna 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,

6Zmyrnam 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.

Book elegies, Poem 96

1Si quicquam mutis gratum acceptumve sepulcris

2accidere a nostro, Calve, dolore potest,

3quo desiderio veteres renovamus amores

4atque olim missas flemus amicitias,

5certe non tanto mors immatura dolori est

6Quintiliae, quantum gaudet amore tuo.

Book elegies, Poem 97

1Non (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,

6gingivas 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?

11quem si qua attingit, non illam posse putemus aegroti culum lingere carnificis?

Book elegies, Poem 98

1In te, si in quemquam, dici pose, putide Victi,

2id quod verbosis dicitur et fatuis:

3ista cum lingua, si usus veniat tibi, possis

4culos et crepidas lingere carpatinas.

5si nos omnino vis omnes perdere, Victi,

6hiscas: omnino quod cupis efficies.

Book elegies, Poem 99

1Subripui 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

6tantillum 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.

11praeterea 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,

16nunquam iam posthac basia subripiam.

Book elegies, Poem 100

1Caelius Aufilenum et Quintius Aufilenam

2flos Veronensum depereunt iuvenum,

3hic fratrem, ille sororem. hoc est quod dicitur illud

4fraternum vere dulce sodalicium.

5cui faveam potius? Caeli, tibi: nam tua nobis

6per facta exhibita est unica amicitia

7cum vesana meas torreret flamma medullas.

8sis felix, Caeli, sis in amore potens.

Book elegies, Poem 101

1Multas 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,

6heu 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.

Book elegies, Poem 102

1Si quicquam tacito commissum est fido ab amico

2cuius sit penitus nota fides animi,

3meque esse invenies illorum iure sacratum,

4Corneli, et factum me esse puta Harpocratem.

Book elegies, Poem 103

1Aut sodes mihi redde decem sestertia, Silo,

2deinde esto quamvis saevus et indomitus:

3aut, si te nummi deIectant, desine quaeso

4Leno esse atque idem saevus et indomitus.

Book elegies, Poem 104

1Credis me potuisse meae maledicere vitae,

2ambobus mihi quae carior est oculis?

3non potui, nec, si possem, tam perdite amarem:

4sed tu cum Tappone omnia monstra facis.

Book elegies, Poem 105

1Mentula conatur Pipleum scandere montem:

2Musae furcillis praecipitem eiciunt.

Book elegies, Poem 106

1Cum puero bello praeconem qui videt esse,

2quid credat, nisi se vendere discupere?

Book elegies, Poem 107

1Si cui quid cupido optantique obtigit unquam

2insperanti, hoc est gratum animo proprie.

3quare hoc est gratum nobis quoque, carius auro,

4quod te restituis, Lesbia, mi cupido:

5restituis cupido atque insperanti, ipsa refers te

6nobis. o lucem candidiore nota!

7quis me uno vivit felicior, aut magis hac res

8optandas vita dicere quis poterit?

Book elegies, Poem 108

1Si, Comini, populi arbitrio tua cana senectus

2spurcata impuris moribus intereat,

3non equidem dubito quin primum inimica bonorum

4lingua exsecta avido sit data vulturio,

5effossos oculos voret atro gutture corvus,

6intestina canes, cetera membra lupi.

Book elegies, Poem 109

1Iucundum, mea vita, mihi proponis amorem

2hunc nostrum inter nos perpetuumque fore.

3di magni, facite ut vere promittere possit

4atque id sincere dicat et ex animo,

5ut liceat nobis tota perducere vita

6aeternum hoc sanctae foedus amicitiae.

Book elegies, Poem 110

1Aufilena, bonae semper laudantur amicae:

2accipiunt pretium quod facere instituunt.

3tu, quod promisti mihi, quod mentita, inimica es;

4quod nec das et fers saepe, facts facinus.

5aut facere ingenuae est, aut non promisse pudicae,

6Aufilena, fuit: sed data corripere

7fraudando † efficit plus quam meretricis avarae,

8quae sese toto corpore prostituit.

Book elegies, Poem 111

1Aufilena, viro contentam vivere solo

2nuptarum laus e laudibus eximiis:

3sed cuivis quamvis potius succumbere par est

4quam matrem fratres ex patruo parere.

Book elegies, Poem 112

1Multus homo est, Naso, neque tecum multus homo est qui

2descendit: Naso, multus es et pathicus.

Book elegies, Poem 113

1Consule Pompeio primum duo, Cinna, solebant

2Maeciliam: facto consule nunc iterum

3manserunt duo, sed creverunt milia in unum

4singula. fecundum semen adulterio.

Book elegies, Poem 114

1Firmanus saltu non falso Mentula dives

2fertur, qui tot res in se habet egregias,

3aucupium omne genus, piscis, prata, arva, ferasque.

4nequiquam: fructus sumptibus exsuperat.

5quare concedo sit dives, dum omnia desint;

6saltum laudemus, dum domo ipse egeat.

Book elegies, Poem 115

1Mentula habet iuxta triginta iugera prati,

2quadraginta arvi: cetera sunt maria.

3cur non divitiis Croesum superare potis sit

4uno qui in saltu tot bona possideat,

5prata, arva, ingentis silvas saltusque paludesque

6usque ad Hyperboreos et mare ad Oceanum?

7omnia magna haec sunt, tamen ipse est maximus ultro,

8non homo, sed vero mentula magna minax.

Book elegies, Poem 116

1Saepe tibi studioso animo venante requirens

2carmina uti possem mittere Battiadae

3qui te lenirem nobis, neu conarere

4tela infesta mihi mittere in usque caput,

5hunc video mihi nunc frustra sumptum esse laborem,

6Gelli, nec nostras hic valuisse preces.

7contra nos tela ista tua evitamus amictu:

8at fixus nostris tu dabis supplicium.