Full of sorrow was I, fair queen, thy brows to abandon,
Full of sorrow ; in oath answer, adorable head.
Full of sorrow ; in oath answer, adorable head.
Catullus - Ellis - Poems and Fragments
64 CATULLUS.
Then, if haply the queen, lone ranger on haunted Itonus,
Pleas'd to defend our people, Erectheus' safe habitations,
Frown not, allow thine hand that bull all redly to
slaughter, 230
Look that warily then deep-laid in steady remembrance,
These our words grow greenly, nor age move on to
deface them ;
Soon as on home's fair hills thine eyes shall signal a
welcome,
See that on each straight yard down droop their
funeral housings,
Whitely the tight-strung cordage a sparkling canvas
aloft swing, 235
Which to behold straightway with joy shall cheer me,
with inward
Joy, when a prosperous hour shall bring to thee happy
returning.
So for a while that charge did Theseus faithfully cherish.
Last, it melted away, as a cloud which riven in ether
Breaks to the blast, high peak and spire snow-silvery
leaving. 240
But from a rock's wall'd eyrie the father wistfully gazing,
Father whose eyes, care-dimm'd, wore hourly for ever a-
weeping,
Scarcely the wind-puff'd sail from afar 'gan darken
upon him,
Down the precipitous heights headlong his body he
hurried,
Deeming Theseus surely by hateful destiny taken. 245
So to a dim death-palace, alert from victory, Theseus
Came, what bitter sorrow to Minos' daughter his evil
Perjury gave, himself with an even sorrow atoning.
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? CATULLUS. 65
She, as his onward keel still moved, still mournfully
followed ;
Passion-stricken, her heart a tumultuous image of
ocean. 250
Also upon that couch, flush'd youthfully, breathless lacchus
Roam'd with a Satyr-band, with Nisa-begot Sileni ;
Seeking thee, Ariadna, aflame thy beauty to ravish.
Wildly behind they rushed and wildly before to the folly,
Euhoe rav'd, Euhoe with fanatic heads gyrated ; 255
Some in womanish hands shook rods cone-wreathed
above them,
Some from a mangled steer toss'd flesh yet gorily
streaming ;
Some girt round them in orbs, snakes gordian, inter-
twining ;
Some with caskets deep did blazon mystical emblems,
Emblems muffled darkly, nor heard of spirit unholy. 260
Part with a slender palm taborines beat merrily
jangling ;
Now with a cymbal slim would a sharp shrill tinkle
awaken ;
Often a trumpeter horn blew murmurous, hoarsely
resounding.
Rose on pipes barbaric a jarring music of horror.
Such, wrought rarely, the shapes this quilt did richly
apparel, 265
Where to the couch close-clasped it hung thick veils of
adorning.
So to the full heart-sated of all their curious eying,
Thessaly's youth gave place to the Gods high-throned
in heaven.
As, when dawn is awake, light Zephyrus even-breathing
F
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? 66 CATULLUS.
Brushes a sleeping sea, which slant-wise curved in
edges 270
Breaks, while mounts Aurora the sun's high journey to
welcome ;
They, first smitten faintly by his most airy caressing,
Move slow on, light surges a plashing silvery laughter ;
Soon with a waxing wind they crowd them apace, thick-
fleeting,
Swim in a rose-red glow and far off sparkle in
Ocean ; 275
So thro' column'd porch and chambers sumptuous
hieing,
Thither or hither away, that company stream'd, home-
wending.
First from Pelion height, when they were duly departed,
Chiron came, in his hand green gifts of flowery forest.
All that on earth's leas blooms, what blossoms Thessaly
nursing 280
Breeds on mountainous heights, what near each
showery river
Swells to the warm west-wind, in gales of foison alight-
ing ;
These did his own hands bear in girlonds twined of
all hues,
That to the perfume sweet for joy laugh'd gaily the
palace.
Follow'd straight Penios, awhile his bowery Tempe, 285
Tempe, shrined around in shadowy woods o'erhanging,
Left to the bare-limb'd maids Magnesian, airily
ranging.
No scant carrier he ; tall root-torn beeches his heavy
Burden, bays stemm'd stately, in heights exalted
ascending.
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? CATULLUS. 67
Thereto the nodding plane, and that lithe sister of
youthful 290
Phaethon flame-enwrapt, and cypress in air upspringing :
These in breadths inwoven he heap'd close-twin'd to the
palace,
Whereto the porch wox green, with soft leaves
canopied over.
Him did follow anear, deep heart and wily, Prometheus,
Scarr'd and wearing yet dim traces of early dis-
honour, 295
All which of old his body to flint fast-welded in iron,
Bore and dearly abied, on slippery crags suspended.
Last with his awful spouse, with children goodly, the
sovran
Father approach'd ; thou, Phoebus, alone, his warder in
heaven,
Left, with that dear sister, on Idrus ranger eternal. 300
Peleus sister alike and brother in high misprision
Held, nor lifted a torch when Thetis wedded at even.
So when on ivory thrones they rested, snovvily
gleaming,
Many a feast high-pil'd did load each table about
them ;
Whiles to a tremor of age their gray infirmity
rocking, 305
Busy began that chant which speaketh surely the
Parcae.
Round them a folding robe their weak limbs aguish
hiding,
Fell bright-white to the feet, with a purple border of
issue.
Wreaths sat on each hoar crown, whose snows flush'd
rosy beneath them ;
F2
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? 68 CATULLUS.
Still each hand fulfilled its pious labour eternal. 310
Singly the left upbore in wool soft-hooded a distaff,
Whereto the right large threads down drawing deftly,
with upturn'd
Fingers shap'd them anew ; then thumbs earth-pointed
in even
Balance twisted a spindle on orb'd wheels smoothly
rotating.
So clear'd softly between and tooth-nipt even it ever 315
Onward moved ; still clung on wan lips, sodden as
ashes,
Shreds all woolly from out that soft smooth surface
arisen.
Lastly before their feet lay fells, white, fleecy, refulgent,
Warily guarded they in baskets woven of osier.
They, as on each light tuft their voice smote louder
approaching, 320
Pour'd grave inspiration, a prophet chant to the future,
Chant which an after-time shall tax of vanity never.
O IN valorous acts thy wondrous glory renewing,
Rich Aemathia's arm, great sire of a goodlier issue,
Hark on a joyous day what prophet-story the sisters 325
Open surely to thee ; and you, what followeth after,
Guide to a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Soon shall approach, and bear the delight long-wish'd for
of husbands,
Hesper, a bride shall approach in starlight happy
presented,
Softly to sway thy soul in love's completion abiding, 330
Soon in a trance with thee of slumber dreamy to
mingle,
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? CATULLUS. 69
Making smooth round arms thy clasp'd throat sinewy
pillow.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Never hath house closed yet o'er loves so blissful uniting,
Never love so well his children in harmony knitten, 335
So as Thetis agrees, as Peleus bendeth according.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
You shall a son see born that knows not terror, Achilles,
One whose back no foe, whose front each knoweth in
onset ;
Often a conqueror, he, where feet course swiftly
together, 340
Steps of a fire-fleet doe shall leave in his hurry behind
him.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Him to resist in war, no champion hero ariseth,
Then on Phrygian earth when carnage Trojan is
utter'd ;
Then when a long sad strife shall Troy's crown'd city
beleaguer, 345
Waste her a third false heir fromPelops wary descend-
ing.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
His unmatchable acts, his deeds of glorious honour,
Oft shall mothers speak o'er sons untimely departed ;
While from crowns earth-bow'd fall loosen'd silvery
tresses, 350
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? 70 CATULLUS.
Beat on shrivell'd breasts weak palms their dusky
defacing.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
As some labourer ears close-cluster'd lustily lopping,
Under a flaming sun, mows fields ripe-yellow in harvest,
Sa, in fury of heart, shall death's stern reaper,
Achilles,
Charge Troy's children afield and fell them grimly with
iron. 355
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Deeds of such high glory Scamander's river avoucheth,
Hurried in eddies afar thro' boisterous Hellespontus ;
Then when a slaughtered heap his pathway watery chok-
ing,
Brimmeth a warm red tide and blood with water
allieth. 360
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Voucher of him last riseth a prey untimely devoted
E'en to the tomb, which mounded in heaps, high, spheri-
cal, earthen,
Grants to the snow-white limbs, to the stricken maiden a
welcome.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles. 365
Scarcely the war-worn Greeks shall win such favour of
heaven,
Neptune's bonds of stone from Dardan city to loosen,
. Dankly that high-heav'd grave shall gory Polyxena
crimson.
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? CATULLUS. 71
She as a lamb falls smitten a twin-edg'd falchion under,
Boweth on earth weak knees, her limbs down flingeth
unheeding. 370
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny
spindles.
Up then, fair paramours, in fond love happily mingle.
Now in blessed treaty the bridegroom welcome a god-
dess;
Now give a bride long-veil'd to her husband's pas-
sionate yearning.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles. 375
Her when duly the nurse with day-light early revisits,
Necklace of yester-night she shall not clasp it about her.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Nor shall a mother fond, o'er brawls unlovely dis-
hearten'd,
Lay her alone, or cease the delight of children await-
ing. 380
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny
spindles.
In such prelude old, such good-night ditty to Peleus,
Sang their deep divination, ineffable, holy, the Parcae.
Such as in ages past, upon houses godly descending,
Houses of heroes came, in mortal company present, 385
Gods high-throned in heaven, while yet was worship in
honour.
Often a sovran Jove, in his own bright temple appearing,
Yearly, whene'er his day did rites ceremonial usher,
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? 72 CATULLUS.
Gazed on an hundred slain, on strong bulls heavily
falling.
Often on high Parnassus a roving Liber in hurried 390
Frenzy the Thyiads drave, their locks blown loosely,
before him.
While all Delphi's city in eager jealousy trooping,
Blithely receiv'd their god on fuming festival altars.
Mavors often amidst encounter mortal of armies,
Streaming Triton's queen, or maid Ramnusian awful, 395
Stood in body before them, a fainting host to deliver.
Only when heinous sin earth's wholesome purity blasted,
When from covetous hearts fled justice sadly retreating,
Then did a brother his hands dye deep in blood of a
brother,
Lightly the son forgat his parents' piteous ashes. 400
Lightly the son's young grave his father pray'd for, an
unwed
Maiden, a step-dame fair in freer luxury clasping.
Then did mother unholy to son that knew not abase her,
Shamefully, fear'd not unholy the blessed dead to dis-
honour.
Human, inhuman alike, in wayward infamy blend-
ing, 405
Turned far from us away that righteous counsel of
heaven.
Therefore proudly the Gods such sinful company view
not,
Bear not day-light clear upon immortality breathing.
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? CATULLUS. 73
LXV.
THOUGH, outworn with sorrow, with hours of torturous
anguish,
Ortalus, I no more tarry the Muses among ;
Though from afancydeprest fair blooms of poesy budding
Rise not at all ; such grief rocks me, uneasily stirr"d :
Coldly but even now mine own dear brother in ebbing 5
Lethe his ice-wan feet laveth, a shadowy ghost.
He whom Troy's deep bosom, a shore Rhoetean above
him,
Rudely denies these eyes, heavily crushes in earth.
Ah ! no more to address thee, or hear thy kindly replying,
Brother! O e'en than life round me delightfuller yet, 10
Ne'er to behold thee again ! Still love shall fail not
alone in
Fancy to muse death's dark elegy, closely to weep.
Closely as under boughs of dimmest shadow the pensive
Daulian ever moans Itys in agony slain.
Yet mid such desolation a verse I tender of ancient 1 5
Battiades, new-drest, Ortalus, wholly for you.
Lest to the roving winds these words all idly deliver'd,
Seem too soon from a frail memory fallen away.
E'en as a furtive gift, sent, some love-apple, a-wooing,
Leaps from breast of a coy maiden, a canopy pure ; 20
There forgotten alas, mid vestments silky reposing,
Soon as a mother's step starts her, it hurleth adown :
Straight to the ground, dash'd forth ungently, the gift
shoots headlong ;
She in tell-tale cheeks glows a disorderly shame.
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? CATULLUS.
LXVI.
HE whose glance scann'd clearly the lights uncounted of
ether,
Found when arises a star, sinks in his haven again,
How yon eclipsed sun glares luminous obscuration,
How in seasons due vanishes orb upon orb ;
How 'neath Latmian heights fair Trivia stealthily
banish'd 5
Falls, from her upward path lured by a lover awhile ;
That same sage, that Conon, a lock of great Berenice
Saw me, in heavenly-bright deification afar
Lustrous, a gleaming glory ; to gods full many devoted,
Whiles she her arms in prayer lifted, as ivory
smooth ; 10
In that glorious hour when, flush'd with a new hymeneal,
Hotly the King to deface outer Assyria sped,
Bearing ensigns sweet of that soft struggle a night brings,
. When from a virgin's arms spoils he had happily won.
Stands it an edict true that brides hate Venus? or ever 15
Falsely the parents' joy dashes a showery tear,
When to the nuptial door they come in rainy beteem-
ing?
Now to the Gods I swear, tears be hypocrisy then.
So mine own queen taught me in all her weary lament-
ings,
Whiles her bridegroom bold set to the battle a
face. 20
What ? for an husband lost thou weptst not gloomily
lying ?
Rather a brother dear, forced for a while to depart ?
This, when love's sharp grief was gnawing inly to waste
thee!
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? CATULLUS. 75
Ah poor wife ! whose soul steep'd in unhappiness all,
Fell from reason away, nor abode thy senses ! A
nobler 25
Spirit had I erewhile known thee, a fiery child.
Pass'd that deed forgotten, a royal wooer had earn'd thee ?
Deed that braver none ventureth ever again ?
Yet what sorrow to lose thy lord, what murmur of
anguish !
Jove, how rain'd those tears brush'd from a passionate
eye ! 30
Who is this could wean thee, a God so mighty, to
falter?
May not a lover live from the beloved afar?
Then for a spouse so goodly, before each spirit of
heaven,
Me thou vowd'st, with slain oxen, a vast hecatomb,
Home if again he alighted. Awhile and Asia crouch-
ing 35
Humbly to Egypt's realm added a boundary new ;
I, in starry return to the ranks dedicated of heaven,
Debt of an ancient vow sum in a bounty to-day.
Full of sorrow was I, fair queen, thy brows to abandon,
Full of sorrow ; in oath answer, adorable head. 40
Evil on him that oath who sweareth falsely soever !
Yet in a strife with steel who can a victory claim?
Steel could a mountain abase, no loftier any thro'
heaven's
Cupola Thia's child lifteth his axle above,
Then, when a new-born sea rose Mede-uplifted ; in
Athos' . 45
Centre his ocean-fleet floated a barbarous host.
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? 76 CATULLUS.
What shall a weak tress do, when powers so mighty re-
sist not?
Jove ! may Chalybes all perish, a people accurst,
Perish who earth's hid veins first labour'd dimly to
quarry,
Clench'd in a molten mass iron, a ruffian heart ! 50
Scarcely the sister-locks were parted dolefully weeping,
Straight that brother of young Memnon, in Africa
born,
Came, and shook thro' heaven his pennons oary, before
me,
Winged, a queen's proud steed, Locrian Arsinoe.
So flew with me aloft thro' darkening shadow of
heaven, 55
There to a god's pure breast laid me, to Venus's arms.
Him Zephyritis' self had sent to the task, her servant,
She from realms of Greece borne to Canopus of yore.
There, that at heav'n's high porch, not one sole crown,
Ariadne's,
Golden above those brows Ismaros' youth did
adore, 60
Starry should hang, set alone; but luminous I might
glisten,
Vow'd to the Gods, bright spoil won from an aureat
head;
While to the skies I clomb still ocean-dewy, the Goddess
Placed rne amid star-spheres primal, a glory to be.
Close to the Virgin bright, to the Lion sulkily gleaming, 65
Nigh Callisto, a cold child Lycaonian, I
Wheel obliquely to set, and guide yon tardy Bootes
Where scarce late his car dewy descends to the sea.
Yet tho' nightly the Gods' immortal steps be above me,
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? CATULLUS. 77
Tho' to the white waves dawn gives me, to Tethys,
again ; 70
(Maid of Ramnus, a grace I here implore thee, if any
Word should offend ; so much cannot a terror alarm,
I should veil aught true; not tho' with clamorous uproar
Rend me the stars; I speak verities hidden at heart):
Lightly for all I reck, so more I sorrow to part me 75
Sadly from her I serve, part me forever away.
With her, a virgin as yet, I quaffd no sumptuous
essence ;
With her, a bride, I drain'd many a prodigal oil.
Now, O you whom gladly the marriage cresset uniteth,
See to the bridegroom fond yield ye not amorous
arms, 80
Throw not back your robes, nor bare your bosom as-
senting,
Save from an onyx stream sweetness, a bounty to me.
Yours, in a loyal bed which seek love's privilege, only ;
Yieldeth her any to bear loathed adultery's yoke,
Vile her gifts, and lightly the dust shall drink them un-
heeding. 85
Not of vile I seek gifts, nor of infamous, I.
Rather, O unstain'd brides, may concord tarry for ever
With ye at home, may love with ye for ever abide.
Thou, fair queen, to the stars if looking haply, to Venus
Lights thou kindle on eves festal of high sacrifice, 90
Leave me the lock, thine own, nor blood nor bounty
requiring.
Rather a largesse fair pay to me, envy me not.
Stars dash blindly in one ! so might I glitter a royal
Tress, let Orion glow next to Aquarius' urn.
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? ;3 CATULLUS.
LXVII.
CATULLUS.
O TO the goodman fair, O welcome alike to the father,
Hail, and Jove's kind grace shower his help upon
you !
Door, that of old, men say, wrought Balbus ready
obeisance,
Once, when his home, time was, lodged him, a master
in years ;
Door, that again, men say, grudg'd aught but a spiteful
obeisance, 5
Soon as a corpse outstretch'd starkly declar'd you a
bride.
Come, speak truly to me ; what shameful rumour avouches
Duty of years forsworn, honour in injury lost ?
DOOR.
So be the tenant new, Caecilius, happy to own me,
I'm not guilty, for all jealousy says it is I. ro
Never a fault was mine, nor man shall whisper it ever;
Only, my friend, your mob's noisy " The door is a
rogue. "
Comes to the light some mischief, a deed uncivil arising,
Loudly to me shout all, " Door, you are wholly to blame. "
CATULLUS.
'Tis not enough so merely to say, so think to decide it. 1 5
Better, who wills should feel, see it, who wills, to be
true.
DOOR.
How then ? if here none asks, nor labours any to know it.
CATULLUS.
Nay, / ask it ; away scruple ; your hearer is I.
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? CATULLUS. 79
First, what rumour avers, they gave her to us a virgin
They lie on her. A light lady ! be sure, not alone 20
Clipp'd her an husband first ; weak stalk from a garden,
a pointless
Falchion, a heart did ne'er fully to courage awake.
No ; to the son's own bed, 'tis said, that father ascended,
Vilely ; with act impure stain'd the facinorous house.
Whether a blind fierce lust in his heart burnt sinfully
flaming, 25
Or that inert that son's vigour, amort to delight,
Needed a sturdier arm, that franker quality somewhere,
Looser of youth's fast-bound girdle, a virgin as yet.
CATULLUS.
Truly a noble father, a glorious act of affection !
Thus in a son's kind sheets lewdly to puddle, his
own. 30
DOOR.
Yet not alone of this, her crag Chinaean abiding
Under, a watch-tower set warily, Brixia tells,
Brixia, trails whereby his waters Mella the golden,
Mother of her, mine own city, Verona the fair.
Add Postumius yet, Cornelius also, a twice-told 35
Folly, with whom our light mistress adultery knew.
Asks some questioner here " What? a door, yet privy to
lewdness ? U
You, from your owner's gate never a minute away ?
Strange to the talk o' the town ? since here, stout timber
above you,
Hung to the beam, you shut mutely or open again. " 40
Many a shameful time I heard her stealthy profession,
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? 8o CATULLUS.
While to the maids her guilt softly she hinted alone.
Spoke unabash'd her amours and named them singly,
opining
Haply an ear to record fail'd me, a voice to reveal.
There was another; enough; his name I gladly dis-
semble ; . 45
Lest his lifted brows blush a disorderly rage.
Sir, 'twas a long lean suitor ; a process huge had assail'd
him ;
'Twas for a pregnant womb falsely declar'd to be true.
LXVIII.
IF, when fortune's wrong with bitter misery whelms thee,
Thou thy sad tear-scrawl'd letter, a mark to the
storm,
Send'st, and bid'st me to succour a stranded seaman
of Ocean,
Toss'd in foam, from death's door to return thee
again ;
Whom nor softly to rest love's tender sanctity
suffers, 5
Lost on a couch of lone slumber, unhappily lain ;
Nor with melody sweet of poets hoary the Muses
Cheer, while worn with grief nightly the soul is
awake :
Well-contented am I, that thou thy friendship avowest,
Ask'st the delights of love from me, the pleasure of
1 hymns; 10
Yet lest all unnoted a kindred story bely thee,
Deeming, Mallius, I calls of humanity shun ;
Hear what a grief is mine, what storm of destiny
whelms me.
Cease to demand of a soul's misery joy's sacrifice.
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? CATULLUS. 8r
Once, what time white robes of manhood first did array
me, 15
Whiles in jollity life sported a spring holiday,
Youth ran riot enow ; right well she knows me, the God-
dess,
She whose honey delights blend with a bitter annoy.
Henceforth dies sweet pleasure, in anguish lost of a
brother's
Funeral. O poor soul, brother, O heavily ta'en, 20
You all happier hours, you, dying brother, effaced ;
All our house lies low mournfully buried in you ;
Quench'd untimely with you joy waits not ever a morrow,
Joy which alive your love's bounty fed hour upon
hour;
Now, since thou liest dead, heart-banish'd wholly desert
me 25
Vanities all, each gay freak of a riotous heart.
How then obey? You write 'Let not Verona, Catullus,
Stay thee, if here each proud quality, Rome's emi-
nence,
Freely the light limbs warms thou leavest coldly to
languish,'
Infamy lies not there, Mallius, only regret. 30
So forgive me, if I, whom grief so rudely bereaveth,
Deal not a joy myself know not, a beggar in all.
Books if they're but scanty, a store full meagre, around
me,
Rome is alone my life's centre, a mansion of home,
Rome my abode, house, hearth; there wanes and
waxes a life's span ; 35
Hither of all those choice cases attends me but one.
Therefore deem not thou aught spiteful bids me deny
thee ;
a
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? 82 CATULLUS.
Say not ' his heart is false, haply, to jealousy leans,'
If nor books I send nor flatter sorrow to silence.
Trust me, were either mine, either unask'd should
appear. 40
GODDESSES, hide I may not in how great trial upheld
me
Allius, how no faint charities held me to life.
Nor shall time borne fleetly nor years' oblivion ever
Make such zeal to the night fade, to the darkness,
away.
As from me you learn it, of you shall many a thou-
sand 45
Learn it again. Grow old, scroll, to declare it anew.
So to the dead increase honour in year upon year. 50
Nor to the spider, aloft her silk-slight flimsiness hang-
ing,
Allius aye unswept moulder, a memory dim. (50)
Well you wot, how sore the deceit Amathusia wrought me,
Well what a thing in love's treachery made me to fall ;
Ready to burst in flame, as burn Trinacrian embers, 55
Burn near Thermopylae's Oeta the fiery springs.
Sad, these piteous eyes did waste all wearily weeping, (55)
Sad, these cheeks did rain ceaseless a showery woe.
Wakeful, as hill-born brook, which, afar off silvery
gleaming,
O'er his moss-grown crags leaps with a tumble a-
down ; 60
Brook which awhile headlong o'er steep and valley de-
scending,
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? CATULLUS. 83
Crosses anon wide ways populous, hastes to the
street ; (60)
Cheerer in heats o' the sun to the wanderer heavily
fuming,
Under a drought, when fields swelter agape to the
sky.
Then as tossing shipmen amid black surges of Ocean, 65
See some prosperous air gently to calm them arise,
Safe thro' Pollux' aid or Castor, alike entreated ; (65)
Mallius e'en such help brought me, a warder of harm.
He in a closed field gave scope of liberal entry;
Gave me an house of love, gave me the lady
within, 70
Busily there to renew love's even duty together ;
Thither afoot mine own mistress, a deity bright, (70)
Came, and planted firm her sole most sunny ; beneath
her
Lightly the' polish'd floor creak'd to the sandal again.
So with passion aflame came wistful Laodamia 75
Into her husband's home, Protesilaus, of yore ;
Home o'er-lightly begun, ere slaughtered victim aton-
ing (75)
Waited of heaven's high-thron'd company grace to
agree.
Nought be to me so dear, O Maid Ramnusian, ever,
I should against that law match me with opposite,
I. 80
Bloodless of high sacrifice, how thirsts each desolate
altar !
This, when her husband fell, Laodamia did heed, (80)
Rapt from a bridegroom new, from his arms forced
early to part her.
Early ; for hardly the first winter, another again,
G2
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? 84 CATULLUS.
Yet in many a night's long dream had sated her yearn-
ing, 85
So that love might wear cheerly, the master away ;
Which not long should abide, so presag'd surely the
Parcae, (85)
If to the wars her lord hurry, for Ilion arm.
Now to revengefair Helen, had Argos' chiefs, her puissance,
Set them afield ; for Troy rous'd them, a cry not of
home, 90
Troy, dark death universal, of Asia grave and Europe,
Altar of heroes Troy, Troy of heroical acts, (90)
Now to my own dear brother abhorred worker of
ancient
Death. Ah woeful soul, brother, unhappily lost,
Ah fair light unblest, in darkness sadly receding, 95
All our house lies low, brother, inearthed in you,
Quench'd untimely with you, joy waits not ever a mor-
row, (95)
Joy which alive your love's bounty fed hour upon
hour.
Now on a distant shore, no kind mortality near him,
Far all household love, every familiar urn, 100
Tomb'd in Troy the malign, in Troy the unholy reposing,
Strangely the land's last verge holds him, a dungeon
of earth. ( IO )
Thither in haste all Greece, one armed people assembling,
Flock'd on an ancient day, left the recesses of home,
Lest in a safe content, unreach'd, his stolen adultress 105
Paris inarm, in soft luxury quietly lain.
E'en such chance, fair queen, such misery, Laodamia, (105)
Brought thee a loss as life precious, as heavenly
breath,
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? CATULLUS. 85
Loss of a bridegroom dear ; such whirling passion in
eddies
Suck'd thee adown, so drew sheer to a sudden
abyss, no
Deep as Graian abyss near Pheneos o'er Cyllene,
Strainer of ooze impure milk'dfrom a watery fen; (i 10)
Hewn, so stories avouch, in a mountain's kernel ; an hero
Hew'd it, falsely declar'd Amphytrionian, he,
When those monster birds near grim Stymphalus his
arrow 115
Smote to the death ; such task bade him a dastardly
lord.
So that another God might tread that portal of
heaven (US)
Freely, nor Hebe fair wither a chaste eremite.
Yet than abyss more deep thy love, thy depth of
emotion ;
Love which school'd thy lord, made of a master a
thrall. 1 20
Not to a grandsire old so priz'd, so lovely the grandson
One dear daughter alone rears i' the soft of his
years ; (120)
He, long-wish'd for, an heir of wealth ancestral
arriving,
Scarcely the tablets' marge holds him, a name to the
will,
Straight all hopes laugh'd down, each baffled kinsman
usurping 125
Leaves to repose white hairs, stretches, a vulture,
away ;
Not in her own fond mate so turtle snowy de-
lighteth, (125)
Tho' unabash'd, 'tis said, she the voluptuous hours
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? 86 CATULLUS.
Snatches a thousand kisses, in amorous extasy biting.
Yet, more lightly than all ranges a womanly will. 1 30
Great their love, their frenzy ; but all their frenzy before
thee '
Fail'd, once clasp'd thy lord splendid in aureat
hair.
Worthy in all or part thee, Laodamia, to rival,
Sought me my own sweet love, journey'd awhile to
my arms.
Round her playing oft ran Cupid thither or hither, 135
Lustrous, arra^d in bright broidery, saffron of hue.
What, to Catullus alone if a wayward fancy resort not ?
Then, if haply the queen, lone ranger on haunted Itonus,
Pleas'd to defend our people, Erectheus' safe habitations,
Frown not, allow thine hand that bull all redly to
slaughter, 230
Look that warily then deep-laid in steady remembrance,
These our words grow greenly, nor age move on to
deface them ;
Soon as on home's fair hills thine eyes shall signal a
welcome,
See that on each straight yard down droop their
funeral housings,
Whitely the tight-strung cordage a sparkling canvas
aloft swing, 235
Which to behold straightway with joy shall cheer me,
with inward
Joy, when a prosperous hour shall bring to thee happy
returning.
So for a while that charge did Theseus faithfully cherish.
Last, it melted away, as a cloud which riven in ether
Breaks to the blast, high peak and spire snow-silvery
leaving. 240
But from a rock's wall'd eyrie the father wistfully gazing,
Father whose eyes, care-dimm'd, wore hourly for ever a-
weeping,
Scarcely the wind-puff'd sail from afar 'gan darken
upon him,
Down the precipitous heights headlong his body he
hurried,
Deeming Theseus surely by hateful destiny taken. 245
So to a dim death-palace, alert from victory, Theseus
Came, what bitter sorrow to Minos' daughter his evil
Perjury gave, himself with an even sorrow atoning.
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? CATULLUS. 65
She, as his onward keel still moved, still mournfully
followed ;
Passion-stricken, her heart a tumultuous image of
ocean. 250
Also upon that couch, flush'd youthfully, breathless lacchus
Roam'd with a Satyr-band, with Nisa-begot Sileni ;
Seeking thee, Ariadna, aflame thy beauty to ravish.
Wildly behind they rushed and wildly before to the folly,
Euhoe rav'd, Euhoe with fanatic heads gyrated ; 255
Some in womanish hands shook rods cone-wreathed
above them,
Some from a mangled steer toss'd flesh yet gorily
streaming ;
Some girt round them in orbs, snakes gordian, inter-
twining ;
Some with caskets deep did blazon mystical emblems,
Emblems muffled darkly, nor heard of spirit unholy. 260
Part with a slender palm taborines beat merrily
jangling ;
Now with a cymbal slim would a sharp shrill tinkle
awaken ;
Often a trumpeter horn blew murmurous, hoarsely
resounding.
Rose on pipes barbaric a jarring music of horror.
Such, wrought rarely, the shapes this quilt did richly
apparel, 265
Where to the couch close-clasped it hung thick veils of
adorning.
So to the full heart-sated of all their curious eying,
Thessaly's youth gave place to the Gods high-throned
in heaven.
As, when dawn is awake, light Zephyrus even-breathing
F
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? 66 CATULLUS.
Brushes a sleeping sea, which slant-wise curved in
edges 270
Breaks, while mounts Aurora the sun's high journey to
welcome ;
They, first smitten faintly by his most airy caressing,
Move slow on, light surges a plashing silvery laughter ;
Soon with a waxing wind they crowd them apace, thick-
fleeting,
Swim in a rose-red glow and far off sparkle in
Ocean ; 275
So thro' column'd porch and chambers sumptuous
hieing,
Thither or hither away, that company stream'd, home-
wending.
First from Pelion height, when they were duly departed,
Chiron came, in his hand green gifts of flowery forest.
All that on earth's leas blooms, what blossoms Thessaly
nursing 280
Breeds on mountainous heights, what near each
showery river
Swells to the warm west-wind, in gales of foison alight-
ing ;
These did his own hands bear in girlonds twined of
all hues,
That to the perfume sweet for joy laugh'd gaily the
palace.
Follow'd straight Penios, awhile his bowery Tempe, 285
Tempe, shrined around in shadowy woods o'erhanging,
Left to the bare-limb'd maids Magnesian, airily
ranging.
No scant carrier he ; tall root-torn beeches his heavy
Burden, bays stemm'd stately, in heights exalted
ascending.
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? CATULLUS. 67
Thereto the nodding plane, and that lithe sister of
youthful 290
Phaethon flame-enwrapt, and cypress in air upspringing :
These in breadths inwoven he heap'd close-twin'd to the
palace,
Whereto the porch wox green, with soft leaves
canopied over.
Him did follow anear, deep heart and wily, Prometheus,
Scarr'd and wearing yet dim traces of early dis-
honour, 295
All which of old his body to flint fast-welded in iron,
Bore and dearly abied, on slippery crags suspended.
Last with his awful spouse, with children goodly, the
sovran
Father approach'd ; thou, Phoebus, alone, his warder in
heaven,
Left, with that dear sister, on Idrus ranger eternal. 300
Peleus sister alike and brother in high misprision
Held, nor lifted a torch when Thetis wedded at even.
So when on ivory thrones they rested, snovvily
gleaming,
Many a feast high-pil'd did load each table about
them ;
Whiles to a tremor of age their gray infirmity
rocking, 305
Busy began that chant which speaketh surely the
Parcae.
Round them a folding robe their weak limbs aguish
hiding,
Fell bright-white to the feet, with a purple border of
issue.
Wreaths sat on each hoar crown, whose snows flush'd
rosy beneath them ;
F2
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? 68 CATULLUS.
Still each hand fulfilled its pious labour eternal. 310
Singly the left upbore in wool soft-hooded a distaff,
Whereto the right large threads down drawing deftly,
with upturn'd
Fingers shap'd them anew ; then thumbs earth-pointed
in even
Balance twisted a spindle on orb'd wheels smoothly
rotating.
So clear'd softly between and tooth-nipt even it ever 315
Onward moved ; still clung on wan lips, sodden as
ashes,
Shreds all woolly from out that soft smooth surface
arisen.
Lastly before their feet lay fells, white, fleecy, refulgent,
Warily guarded they in baskets woven of osier.
They, as on each light tuft their voice smote louder
approaching, 320
Pour'd grave inspiration, a prophet chant to the future,
Chant which an after-time shall tax of vanity never.
O IN valorous acts thy wondrous glory renewing,
Rich Aemathia's arm, great sire of a goodlier issue,
Hark on a joyous day what prophet-story the sisters 325
Open surely to thee ; and you, what followeth after,
Guide to a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Soon shall approach, and bear the delight long-wish'd for
of husbands,
Hesper, a bride shall approach in starlight happy
presented,
Softly to sway thy soul in love's completion abiding, 330
Soon in a trance with thee of slumber dreamy to
mingle,
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? CATULLUS. 69
Making smooth round arms thy clasp'd throat sinewy
pillow.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Never hath house closed yet o'er loves so blissful uniting,
Never love so well his children in harmony knitten, 335
So as Thetis agrees, as Peleus bendeth according.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
You shall a son see born that knows not terror, Achilles,
One whose back no foe, whose front each knoweth in
onset ;
Often a conqueror, he, where feet course swiftly
together, 340
Steps of a fire-fleet doe shall leave in his hurry behind
him.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Him to resist in war, no champion hero ariseth,
Then on Phrygian earth when carnage Trojan is
utter'd ;
Then when a long sad strife shall Troy's crown'd city
beleaguer, 345
Waste her a third false heir fromPelops wary descend-
ing.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
His unmatchable acts, his deeds of glorious honour,
Oft shall mothers speak o'er sons untimely departed ;
While from crowns earth-bow'd fall loosen'd silvery
tresses, 350
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? 70 CATULLUS.
Beat on shrivell'd breasts weak palms their dusky
defacing.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
As some labourer ears close-cluster'd lustily lopping,
Under a flaming sun, mows fields ripe-yellow in harvest,
Sa, in fury of heart, shall death's stern reaper,
Achilles,
Charge Troy's children afield and fell them grimly with
iron. 355
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Deeds of such high glory Scamander's river avoucheth,
Hurried in eddies afar thro' boisterous Hellespontus ;
Then when a slaughtered heap his pathway watery chok-
ing,
Brimmeth a warm red tide and blood with water
allieth. 360
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Voucher of him last riseth a prey untimely devoted
E'en to the tomb, which mounded in heaps, high, spheri-
cal, earthen,
Grants to the snow-white limbs, to the stricken maiden a
welcome.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles. 365
Scarcely the war-worn Greeks shall win such favour of
heaven,
Neptune's bonds of stone from Dardan city to loosen,
. Dankly that high-heav'd grave shall gory Polyxena
crimson.
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? CATULLUS. 71
She as a lamb falls smitten a twin-edg'd falchion under,
Boweth on earth weak knees, her limbs down flingeth
unheeding. 370
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny
spindles.
Up then, fair paramours, in fond love happily mingle.
Now in blessed treaty the bridegroom welcome a god-
dess;
Now give a bride long-veil'd to her husband's pas-
sionate yearning.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles. 375
Her when duly the nurse with day-light early revisits,
Necklace of yester-night she shall not clasp it about her.
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny,
spindles.
Nor shall a mother fond, o'er brawls unlovely dis-
hearten'd,
Lay her alone, or cease the delight of children await-
ing. 380
Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny
spindles.
In such prelude old, such good-night ditty to Peleus,
Sang their deep divination, ineffable, holy, the Parcae.
Such as in ages past, upon houses godly descending,
Houses of heroes came, in mortal company present, 385
Gods high-throned in heaven, while yet was worship in
honour.
Often a sovran Jove, in his own bright temple appearing,
Yearly, whene'er his day did rites ceremonial usher,
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? 72 CATULLUS.
Gazed on an hundred slain, on strong bulls heavily
falling.
Often on high Parnassus a roving Liber in hurried 390
Frenzy the Thyiads drave, their locks blown loosely,
before him.
While all Delphi's city in eager jealousy trooping,
Blithely receiv'd their god on fuming festival altars.
Mavors often amidst encounter mortal of armies,
Streaming Triton's queen, or maid Ramnusian awful, 395
Stood in body before them, a fainting host to deliver.
Only when heinous sin earth's wholesome purity blasted,
When from covetous hearts fled justice sadly retreating,
Then did a brother his hands dye deep in blood of a
brother,
Lightly the son forgat his parents' piteous ashes. 400
Lightly the son's young grave his father pray'd for, an
unwed
Maiden, a step-dame fair in freer luxury clasping.
Then did mother unholy to son that knew not abase her,
Shamefully, fear'd not unholy the blessed dead to dis-
honour.
Human, inhuman alike, in wayward infamy blend-
ing, 405
Turned far from us away that righteous counsel of
heaven.
Therefore proudly the Gods such sinful company view
not,
Bear not day-light clear upon immortality breathing.
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? CATULLUS. 73
LXV.
THOUGH, outworn with sorrow, with hours of torturous
anguish,
Ortalus, I no more tarry the Muses among ;
Though from afancydeprest fair blooms of poesy budding
Rise not at all ; such grief rocks me, uneasily stirr"d :
Coldly but even now mine own dear brother in ebbing 5
Lethe his ice-wan feet laveth, a shadowy ghost.
He whom Troy's deep bosom, a shore Rhoetean above
him,
Rudely denies these eyes, heavily crushes in earth.
Ah ! no more to address thee, or hear thy kindly replying,
Brother! O e'en than life round me delightfuller yet, 10
Ne'er to behold thee again ! Still love shall fail not
alone in
Fancy to muse death's dark elegy, closely to weep.
Closely as under boughs of dimmest shadow the pensive
Daulian ever moans Itys in agony slain.
Yet mid such desolation a verse I tender of ancient 1 5
Battiades, new-drest, Ortalus, wholly for you.
Lest to the roving winds these words all idly deliver'd,
Seem too soon from a frail memory fallen away.
E'en as a furtive gift, sent, some love-apple, a-wooing,
Leaps from breast of a coy maiden, a canopy pure ; 20
There forgotten alas, mid vestments silky reposing,
Soon as a mother's step starts her, it hurleth adown :
Straight to the ground, dash'd forth ungently, the gift
shoots headlong ;
She in tell-tale cheeks glows a disorderly shame.
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? CATULLUS.
LXVI.
HE whose glance scann'd clearly the lights uncounted of
ether,
Found when arises a star, sinks in his haven again,
How yon eclipsed sun glares luminous obscuration,
How in seasons due vanishes orb upon orb ;
How 'neath Latmian heights fair Trivia stealthily
banish'd 5
Falls, from her upward path lured by a lover awhile ;
That same sage, that Conon, a lock of great Berenice
Saw me, in heavenly-bright deification afar
Lustrous, a gleaming glory ; to gods full many devoted,
Whiles she her arms in prayer lifted, as ivory
smooth ; 10
In that glorious hour when, flush'd with a new hymeneal,
Hotly the King to deface outer Assyria sped,
Bearing ensigns sweet of that soft struggle a night brings,
. When from a virgin's arms spoils he had happily won.
Stands it an edict true that brides hate Venus? or ever 15
Falsely the parents' joy dashes a showery tear,
When to the nuptial door they come in rainy beteem-
ing?
Now to the Gods I swear, tears be hypocrisy then.
So mine own queen taught me in all her weary lament-
ings,
Whiles her bridegroom bold set to the battle a
face. 20
What ? for an husband lost thou weptst not gloomily
lying ?
Rather a brother dear, forced for a while to depart ?
This, when love's sharp grief was gnawing inly to waste
thee!
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? CATULLUS. 75
Ah poor wife ! whose soul steep'd in unhappiness all,
Fell from reason away, nor abode thy senses ! A
nobler 25
Spirit had I erewhile known thee, a fiery child.
Pass'd that deed forgotten, a royal wooer had earn'd thee ?
Deed that braver none ventureth ever again ?
Yet what sorrow to lose thy lord, what murmur of
anguish !
Jove, how rain'd those tears brush'd from a passionate
eye ! 30
Who is this could wean thee, a God so mighty, to
falter?
May not a lover live from the beloved afar?
Then for a spouse so goodly, before each spirit of
heaven,
Me thou vowd'st, with slain oxen, a vast hecatomb,
Home if again he alighted. Awhile and Asia crouch-
ing 35
Humbly to Egypt's realm added a boundary new ;
I, in starry return to the ranks dedicated of heaven,
Debt of an ancient vow sum in a bounty to-day.
Full of sorrow was I, fair queen, thy brows to abandon,
Full of sorrow ; in oath answer, adorable head. 40
Evil on him that oath who sweareth falsely soever !
Yet in a strife with steel who can a victory claim?
Steel could a mountain abase, no loftier any thro'
heaven's
Cupola Thia's child lifteth his axle above,
Then, when a new-born sea rose Mede-uplifted ; in
Athos' . 45
Centre his ocean-fleet floated a barbarous host.
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? 76 CATULLUS.
What shall a weak tress do, when powers so mighty re-
sist not?
Jove ! may Chalybes all perish, a people accurst,
Perish who earth's hid veins first labour'd dimly to
quarry,
Clench'd in a molten mass iron, a ruffian heart ! 50
Scarcely the sister-locks were parted dolefully weeping,
Straight that brother of young Memnon, in Africa
born,
Came, and shook thro' heaven his pennons oary, before
me,
Winged, a queen's proud steed, Locrian Arsinoe.
So flew with me aloft thro' darkening shadow of
heaven, 55
There to a god's pure breast laid me, to Venus's arms.
Him Zephyritis' self had sent to the task, her servant,
She from realms of Greece borne to Canopus of yore.
There, that at heav'n's high porch, not one sole crown,
Ariadne's,
Golden above those brows Ismaros' youth did
adore, 60
Starry should hang, set alone; but luminous I might
glisten,
Vow'd to the Gods, bright spoil won from an aureat
head;
While to the skies I clomb still ocean-dewy, the Goddess
Placed rne amid star-spheres primal, a glory to be.
Close to the Virgin bright, to the Lion sulkily gleaming, 65
Nigh Callisto, a cold child Lycaonian, I
Wheel obliquely to set, and guide yon tardy Bootes
Where scarce late his car dewy descends to the sea.
Yet tho' nightly the Gods' immortal steps be above me,
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? CATULLUS. 77
Tho' to the white waves dawn gives me, to Tethys,
again ; 70
(Maid of Ramnus, a grace I here implore thee, if any
Word should offend ; so much cannot a terror alarm,
I should veil aught true; not tho' with clamorous uproar
Rend me the stars; I speak verities hidden at heart):
Lightly for all I reck, so more I sorrow to part me 75
Sadly from her I serve, part me forever away.
With her, a virgin as yet, I quaffd no sumptuous
essence ;
With her, a bride, I drain'd many a prodigal oil.
Now, O you whom gladly the marriage cresset uniteth,
See to the bridegroom fond yield ye not amorous
arms, 80
Throw not back your robes, nor bare your bosom as-
senting,
Save from an onyx stream sweetness, a bounty to me.
Yours, in a loyal bed which seek love's privilege, only ;
Yieldeth her any to bear loathed adultery's yoke,
Vile her gifts, and lightly the dust shall drink them un-
heeding. 85
Not of vile I seek gifts, nor of infamous, I.
Rather, O unstain'd brides, may concord tarry for ever
With ye at home, may love with ye for ever abide.
Thou, fair queen, to the stars if looking haply, to Venus
Lights thou kindle on eves festal of high sacrifice, 90
Leave me the lock, thine own, nor blood nor bounty
requiring.
Rather a largesse fair pay to me, envy me not.
Stars dash blindly in one ! so might I glitter a royal
Tress, let Orion glow next to Aquarius' urn.
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? ;3 CATULLUS.
LXVII.
CATULLUS.
O TO the goodman fair, O welcome alike to the father,
Hail, and Jove's kind grace shower his help upon
you !
Door, that of old, men say, wrought Balbus ready
obeisance,
Once, when his home, time was, lodged him, a master
in years ;
Door, that again, men say, grudg'd aught but a spiteful
obeisance, 5
Soon as a corpse outstretch'd starkly declar'd you a
bride.
Come, speak truly to me ; what shameful rumour avouches
Duty of years forsworn, honour in injury lost ?
DOOR.
So be the tenant new, Caecilius, happy to own me,
I'm not guilty, for all jealousy says it is I. ro
Never a fault was mine, nor man shall whisper it ever;
Only, my friend, your mob's noisy " The door is a
rogue. "
Comes to the light some mischief, a deed uncivil arising,
Loudly to me shout all, " Door, you are wholly to blame. "
CATULLUS.
'Tis not enough so merely to say, so think to decide it. 1 5
Better, who wills should feel, see it, who wills, to be
true.
DOOR.
How then ? if here none asks, nor labours any to know it.
CATULLUS.
Nay, / ask it ; away scruple ; your hearer is I.
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? CATULLUS. 79
First, what rumour avers, they gave her to us a virgin
They lie on her. A light lady ! be sure, not alone 20
Clipp'd her an husband first ; weak stalk from a garden,
a pointless
Falchion, a heart did ne'er fully to courage awake.
No ; to the son's own bed, 'tis said, that father ascended,
Vilely ; with act impure stain'd the facinorous house.
Whether a blind fierce lust in his heart burnt sinfully
flaming, 25
Or that inert that son's vigour, amort to delight,
Needed a sturdier arm, that franker quality somewhere,
Looser of youth's fast-bound girdle, a virgin as yet.
CATULLUS.
Truly a noble father, a glorious act of affection !
Thus in a son's kind sheets lewdly to puddle, his
own. 30
DOOR.
Yet not alone of this, her crag Chinaean abiding
Under, a watch-tower set warily, Brixia tells,
Brixia, trails whereby his waters Mella the golden,
Mother of her, mine own city, Verona the fair.
Add Postumius yet, Cornelius also, a twice-told 35
Folly, with whom our light mistress adultery knew.
Asks some questioner here " What? a door, yet privy to
lewdness ? U
You, from your owner's gate never a minute away ?
Strange to the talk o' the town ? since here, stout timber
above you,
Hung to the beam, you shut mutely or open again. " 40
Many a shameful time I heard her stealthy profession,
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? 8o CATULLUS.
While to the maids her guilt softly she hinted alone.
Spoke unabash'd her amours and named them singly,
opining
Haply an ear to record fail'd me, a voice to reveal.
There was another; enough; his name I gladly dis-
semble ; . 45
Lest his lifted brows blush a disorderly rage.
Sir, 'twas a long lean suitor ; a process huge had assail'd
him ;
'Twas for a pregnant womb falsely declar'd to be true.
LXVIII.
IF, when fortune's wrong with bitter misery whelms thee,
Thou thy sad tear-scrawl'd letter, a mark to the
storm,
Send'st, and bid'st me to succour a stranded seaman
of Ocean,
Toss'd in foam, from death's door to return thee
again ;
Whom nor softly to rest love's tender sanctity
suffers, 5
Lost on a couch of lone slumber, unhappily lain ;
Nor with melody sweet of poets hoary the Muses
Cheer, while worn with grief nightly the soul is
awake :
Well-contented am I, that thou thy friendship avowest,
Ask'st the delights of love from me, the pleasure of
1 hymns; 10
Yet lest all unnoted a kindred story bely thee,
Deeming, Mallius, I calls of humanity shun ;
Hear what a grief is mine, what storm of destiny
whelms me.
Cease to demand of a soul's misery joy's sacrifice.
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? CATULLUS. 8r
Once, what time white robes of manhood first did array
me, 15
Whiles in jollity life sported a spring holiday,
Youth ran riot enow ; right well she knows me, the God-
dess,
She whose honey delights blend with a bitter annoy.
Henceforth dies sweet pleasure, in anguish lost of a
brother's
Funeral. O poor soul, brother, O heavily ta'en, 20
You all happier hours, you, dying brother, effaced ;
All our house lies low mournfully buried in you ;
Quench'd untimely with you joy waits not ever a morrow,
Joy which alive your love's bounty fed hour upon
hour;
Now, since thou liest dead, heart-banish'd wholly desert
me 25
Vanities all, each gay freak of a riotous heart.
How then obey? You write 'Let not Verona, Catullus,
Stay thee, if here each proud quality, Rome's emi-
nence,
Freely the light limbs warms thou leavest coldly to
languish,'
Infamy lies not there, Mallius, only regret. 30
So forgive me, if I, whom grief so rudely bereaveth,
Deal not a joy myself know not, a beggar in all.
Books if they're but scanty, a store full meagre, around
me,
Rome is alone my life's centre, a mansion of home,
Rome my abode, house, hearth; there wanes and
waxes a life's span ; 35
Hither of all those choice cases attends me but one.
Therefore deem not thou aught spiteful bids me deny
thee ;
a
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? 82 CATULLUS.
Say not ' his heart is false, haply, to jealousy leans,'
If nor books I send nor flatter sorrow to silence.
Trust me, were either mine, either unask'd should
appear. 40
GODDESSES, hide I may not in how great trial upheld
me
Allius, how no faint charities held me to life.
Nor shall time borne fleetly nor years' oblivion ever
Make such zeal to the night fade, to the darkness,
away.
As from me you learn it, of you shall many a thou-
sand 45
Learn it again. Grow old, scroll, to declare it anew.
So to the dead increase honour in year upon year. 50
Nor to the spider, aloft her silk-slight flimsiness hang-
ing,
Allius aye unswept moulder, a memory dim. (50)
Well you wot, how sore the deceit Amathusia wrought me,
Well what a thing in love's treachery made me to fall ;
Ready to burst in flame, as burn Trinacrian embers, 55
Burn near Thermopylae's Oeta the fiery springs.
Sad, these piteous eyes did waste all wearily weeping, (55)
Sad, these cheeks did rain ceaseless a showery woe.
Wakeful, as hill-born brook, which, afar off silvery
gleaming,
O'er his moss-grown crags leaps with a tumble a-
down ; 60
Brook which awhile headlong o'er steep and valley de-
scending,
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? CATULLUS. 83
Crosses anon wide ways populous, hastes to the
street ; (60)
Cheerer in heats o' the sun to the wanderer heavily
fuming,
Under a drought, when fields swelter agape to the
sky.
Then as tossing shipmen amid black surges of Ocean, 65
See some prosperous air gently to calm them arise,
Safe thro' Pollux' aid or Castor, alike entreated ; (65)
Mallius e'en such help brought me, a warder of harm.
He in a closed field gave scope of liberal entry;
Gave me an house of love, gave me the lady
within, 70
Busily there to renew love's even duty together ;
Thither afoot mine own mistress, a deity bright, (70)
Came, and planted firm her sole most sunny ; beneath
her
Lightly the' polish'd floor creak'd to the sandal again.
So with passion aflame came wistful Laodamia 75
Into her husband's home, Protesilaus, of yore ;
Home o'er-lightly begun, ere slaughtered victim aton-
ing (75)
Waited of heaven's high-thron'd company grace to
agree.
Nought be to me so dear, O Maid Ramnusian, ever,
I should against that law match me with opposite,
I. 80
Bloodless of high sacrifice, how thirsts each desolate
altar !
This, when her husband fell, Laodamia did heed, (80)
Rapt from a bridegroom new, from his arms forced
early to part her.
Early ; for hardly the first winter, another again,
G2
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? 84 CATULLUS.
Yet in many a night's long dream had sated her yearn-
ing, 85
So that love might wear cheerly, the master away ;
Which not long should abide, so presag'd surely the
Parcae, (85)
If to the wars her lord hurry, for Ilion arm.
Now to revengefair Helen, had Argos' chiefs, her puissance,
Set them afield ; for Troy rous'd them, a cry not of
home, 90
Troy, dark death universal, of Asia grave and Europe,
Altar of heroes Troy, Troy of heroical acts, (90)
Now to my own dear brother abhorred worker of
ancient
Death. Ah woeful soul, brother, unhappily lost,
Ah fair light unblest, in darkness sadly receding, 95
All our house lies low, brother, inearthed in you,
Quench'd untimely with you, joy waits not ever a mor-
row, (95)
Joy which alive your love's bounty fed hour upon
hour.
Now on a distant shore, no kind mortality near him,
Far all household love, every familiar urn, 100
Tomb'd in Troy the malign, in Troy the unholy reposing,
Strangely the land's last verge holds him, a dungeon
of earth. ( IO )
Thither in haste all Greece, one armed people assembling,
Flock'd on an ancient day, left the recesses of home,
Lest in a safe content, unreach'd, his stolen adultress 105
Paris inarm, in soft luxury quietly lain.
E'en such chance, fair queen, such misery, Laodamia, (105)
Brought thee a loss as life precious, as heavenly
breath,
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? CATULLUS. 85
Loss of a bridegroom dear ; such whirling passion in
eddies
Suck'd thee adown, so drew sheer to a sudden
abyss, no
Deep as Graian abyss near Pheneos o'er Cyllene,
Strainer of ooze impure milk'dfrom a watery fen; (i 10)
Hewn, so stories avouch, in a mountain's kernel ; an hero
Hew'd it, falsely declar'd Amphytrionian, he,
When those monster birds near grim Stymphalus his
arrow 115
Smote to the death ; such task bade him a dastardly
lord.
So that another God might tread that portal of
heaven (US)
Freely, nor Hebe fair wither a chaste eremite.
Yet than abyss more deep thy love, thy depth of
emotion ;
Love which school'd thy lord, made of a master a
thrall. 1 20
Not to a grandsire old so priz'd, so lovely the grandson
One dear daughter alone rears i' the soft of his
years ; (120)
He, long-wish'd for, an heir of wealth ancestral
arriving,
Scarcely the tablets' marge holds him, a name to the
will,
Straight all hopes laugh'd down, each baffled kinsman
usurping 125
Leaves to repose white hairs, stretches, a vulture,
away ;
Not in her own fond mate so turtle snowy de-
lighteth, (125)
Tho' unabash'd, 'tis said, she the voluptuous hours
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? 86 CATULLUS.
Snatches a thousand kisses, in amorous extasy biting.
Yet, more lightly than all ranges a womanly will. 1 30
Great their love, their frenzy ; but all their frenzy before
thee '
Fail'd, once clasp'd thy lord splendid in aureat
hair.
Worthy in all or part thee, Laodamia, to rival,
Sought me my own sweet love, journey'd awhile to
my arms.
Round her playing oft ran Cupid thither or hither, 135
Lustrous, arra^d in bright broidery, saffron of hue.
What, to Catullus alone if a wayward fancy resort not ?
