71
She as a lamb falls smitten a twin-edg'd falchion under,
Boweth on earth weak knees, her limbs down flingeth
unheeding.
She as a lamb falls smitten a twin-edg'd falchion under,
Boweth on earth weak knees, her limbs down flingeth
unheeding.
Catullus - Ellis - Poems and Fragments
CATULLUS.
59
How, when her eyes lay bound in slumber's shadowy
prison,
He forsook, forgot her, a wooer traitorous-hearted :
Oft, say stories, at heart with frenzied fantasy burning,
Pour'd she, a deep-wrung breast, clear-ringing cries of
oppression; 125
Sometimes mournfully clomb to the mountain's rugged
ascension,
Straining thence her vision across wide surges of ocean ;
Now to the brine ran forth, upsplashing freshly to meet
her,
Lifting raiment fine her thighs which softly did open ;
Last, when sorrow had end, these words thus spake she
lamenting, 1 30
While from a mouth tear-stain'd chill sobs gushed
dolorous ever.
' LOOK, is it here, false heart, that rapt from country, from
altar,
Household altar ashore, I wander, falsely deserted?
Ah ! is it hence, Theseus, that against high heaven a
traitor
Homeward thou thy vileness, alas thy perjury bearest? 135
Might not a thought, one thought, thy cruel counsel
abating
Sway thee tender? at heart rose no compassion or
any
Mercy, to bend thy soul, or me for pity deliver?
Yet not this thy promise of old, thy dearly remembered
Voice, not these the delights thou bad'st thy poor one
inherit; 140
Nay, but wedlock happy, but envied joy hymeneal;
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? 60 CATULLUS.
All now melted in air, with a light wind emptily fleeting.
LET not a woman trust, since that first treason, a lover's
Desperate oath, none hope true lover's promise is
earnest
They, while fondly to win their amorous humour
essayeth, 145
Fear no covetous oath, all false free promises heed not ;
They if once lewd pleasure attain unruly possession,
Lo they fear not promise, of oath or perjury reck not.
Yet indeed, yet I, when floods of death were around thee,
Set thee on high, did rather a brother choose to defend
not, 150
Ere I, in hate's last hour, false heart, fail'd thee to deliver.
Now, for a goodly reward, to the beasts they give me,
the flying
Fowls ; no handful of earth shall bury me, pass'd to the
shadows.
WHAT grim lioness yeaned thee, aneath what rock's deso-
lation?
What wild sea did bear, what billows foamy regorged
thee ? 155
Seething sand, or Scylla the snare, or lonely Charybdis?
If for a life's dear joy comes back such only requital ?
Hadst not a will with spousal an honour'd wife to receive
me ?
Awed thee a father stern, cross age's churlish avising ?
Yet to your household thou, your kindred palaces
olden, 160
Might'st have led me, to wait, joy-filled, a retainer upon
thee,
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? CATULLUS. 61
Now in waters clear thy feet like ivory laving,
Clothing now thy bed with crimson's gorgeous apparel.
Yet to the brutish winds why moan I longer unheeded,
Crazy with an ill wrong ? They senseless, voiceless,
inhuman 165
Utter'd cry they hear not, in answers hollow reply not.
He rides far already, the mid sea's boundary cleaving,
Strays no mortal along these weeds stretched lonely
about me.
Thus to myutmostneed chance, spitefuller injury dealing,
Grudges an ear, where yet might lamentation have
entry. 1 70
JOVE, almighty, supreme," O would that never in early
Time on Gnossian earth great Cecrops' navies had
harbour'd,
Ne'er to that unquell'd bull with a ransom of horror
atoning,
Moor'd on Crete his cable a shipman's wily dishonour.
Never in youth's fair shape such ruthless stratagem
hiding 175
He, that vile one, a guest found with us a safe habitation.
Whither flee then afar ? what hope, poor lost one, up-
holds thee ?
Mountains Idomenean ? alas, broad surges of ocean
Part us, a rough rude space of flowing water, asunder.
Trust in a father's help? how trust, whom darkly
deserting, 180
Him I turned to alone, my brother's bloody defier ?
Nay, but a loyal lover, a hand pledg'd surely, shall
ease me.
Surely ; for o'er wide water his oars move flexibly fleeting.
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? 62 CATULLUS.
Also a desert lies this region, a tenantless island,
Nowhere open way, seas splash in circle around me, 185
Nowhere flight, no glimmer of hope ; all mournfully
silent,
Loneliness all, all points me to death, death only re-
maining.
YET these luminous orbs shall sink not feebly to darkness.
Yet from grief-worn limbs shall feeling wholly depart not,
Till to the gods I cry, the betrayed, for justice on evil, 190
Sue for life's last mercy the great federation of heaven.
Then, O sworn to requite man's evil wrathfully, Powers
Gracious, on whose grim brows, with viper tresses
inorbed,
Looks red-breathing forth your bosom's feverous anger ;
Now, yea now come surely, to these loud miseries
harken, 195
All I cry, the afflicted, of inmost marrow arising,
Desolate, hot with pain, with blinding fury bewildered.
Yet, for of heart they spring, grief's children truly begotten,
Verily, Gods, these moans you will not idly to perish.
But with counsel of evil as he forsook me deceiving, 200
Death to his house, to his heart, bring also counsel of evil.
WHEN from an anguish'd heart these words stream'd
sorrowful upwards,
Words which on iron deeds did sue for deadly requital.
Bow'd with a nod of assent almighty the ruler of heaven.
With that dreadful motion aneath earth's hollow, the
ruffled 205
Ocean shook, and stormy the stars 'gan tremble in ether.
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? CATULLUS. 63
Thereto his heart thick-sown with blindness cloudily
dark'ning,
Thought not of all those words, Theseus, from memory
fallen,
Words which his heedful soul had kept immovable ever.
Nor to his eager sire fair token of happy returning 210
Rais'd, when his eyes safe-sighted Erectheus' populous
haven.
Once, so stories tell, when Pallas' city behind him
Leaving, Theseus' fleet to the winds given hopefully
parted,
Clasping then his son spake Aegeus, straitly com-
manding.
SON, mine only delight, than life more lovely to gaze
on, 215
Son, whom needs it faints me to launch full-tided on
hazards,
Whom my winter of years hath laid so lately before me :
Since my fate unkindly, thy own fierce valour unheeding,
Needs must wrest thee away, ere yet these dimly-lit
eye-balls
Feed to the full on thee, thy worshipt body behold-
ing ; 220
Neither in exultation of heart I send thee a-warring ;
Nor to the fight shalt bear fair fortune's happier earnest ;
Rather, first in cries mine heart shall lighten her anguish,
When greylocks I sully with earth, with sprinkle of ashes ;
Next to the swaying mast shall a sail hang duskily
swinging; 225
So this grief, mine own, this burning sorrow within me,
Want not a sign, dark shrouds of Iberia, sombre as iron.
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? 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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How, when her eyes lay bound in slumber's shadowy
prison,
He forsook, forgot her, a wooer traitorous-hearted :
Oft, say stories, at heart with frenzied fantasy burning,
Pour'd she, a deep-wrung breast, clear-ringing cries of
oppression; 125
Sometimes mournfully clomb to the mountain's rugged
ascension,
Straining thence her vision across wide surges of ocean ;
Now to the brine ran forth, upsplashing freshly to meet
her,
Lifting raiment fine her thighs which softly did open ;
Last, when sorrow had end, these words thus spake she
lamenting, 1 30
While from a mouth tear-stain'd chill sobs gushed
dolorous ever.
' LOOK, is it here, false heart, that rapt from country, from
altar,
Household altar ashore, I wander, falsely deserted?
Ah ! is it hence, Theseus, that against high heaven a
traitor
Homeward thou thy vileness, alas thy perjury bearest? 135
Might not a thought, one thought, thy cruel counsel
abating
Sway thee tender? at heart rose no compassion or
any
Mercy, to bend thy soul, or me for pity deliver?
Yet not this thy promise of old, thy dearly remembered
Voice, not these the delights thou bad'st thy poor one
inherit; 140
Nay, but wedlock happy, but envied joy hymeneal;
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? 60 CATULLUS.
All now melted in air, with a light wind emptily fleeting.
LET not a woman trust, since that first treason, a lover's
Desperate oath, none hope true lover's promise is
earnest
They, while fondly to win their amorous humour
essayeth, 145
Fear no covetous oath, all false free promises heed not ;
They if once lewd pleasure attain unruly possession,
Lo they fear not promise, of oath or perjury reck not.
Yet indeed, yet I, when floods of death were around thee,
Set thee on high, did rather a brother choose to defend
not, 150
Ere I, in hate's last hour, false heart, fail'd thee to deliver.
Now, for a goodly reward, to the beasts they give me,
the flying
Fowls ; no handful of earth shall bury me, pass'd to the
shadows.
WHAT grim lioness yeaned thee, aneath what rock's deso-
lation?
What wild sea did bear, what billows foamy regorged
thee ? 155
Seething sand, or Scylla the snare, or lonely Charybdis?
If for a life's dear joy comes back such only requital ?
Hadst not a will with spousal an honour'd wife to receive
me ?
Awed thee a father stern, cross age's churlish avising ?
Yet to your household thou, your kindred palaces
olden, 160
Might'st have led me, to wait, joy-filled, a retainer upon
thee,
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? CATULLUS. 61
Now in waters clear thy feet like ivory laving,
Clothing now thy bed with crimson's gorgeous apparel.
Yet to the brutish winds why moan I longer unheeded,
Crazy with an ill wrong ? They senseless, voiceless,
inhuman 165
Utter'd cry they hear not, in answers hollow reply not.
He rides far already, the mid sea's boundary cleaving,
Strays no mortal along these weeds stretched lonely
about me.
Thus to myutmostneed chance, spitefuller injury dealing,
Grudges an ear, where yet might lamentation have
entry. 1 70
JOVE, almighty, supreme," O would that never in early
Time on Gnossian earth great Cecrops' navies had
harbour'd,
Ne'er to that unquell'd bull with a ransom of horror
atoning,
Moor'd on Crete his cable a shipman's wily dishonour.
Never in youth's fair shape such ruthless stratagem
hiding 175
He, that vile one, a guest found with us a safe habitation.
Whither flee then afar ? what hope, poor lost one, up-
holds thee ?
Mountains Idomenean ? alas, broad surges of ocean
Part us, a rough rude space of flowing water, asunder.
Trust in a father's help? how trust, whom darkly
deserting, 180
Him I turned to alone, my brother's bloody defier ?
Nay, but a loyal lover, a hand pledg'd surely, shall
ease me.
Surely ; for o'er wide water his oars move flexibly fleeting.
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? 62 CATULLUS.
Also a desert lies this region, a tenantless island,
Nowhere open way, seas splash in circle around me, 185
Nowhere flight, no glimmer of hope ; all mournfully
silent,
Loneliness all, all points me to death, death only re-
maining.
YET these luminous orbs shall sink not feebly to darkness.
Yet from grief-worn limbs shall feeling wholly depart not,
Till to the gods I cry, the betrayed, for justice on evil, 190
Sue for life's last mercy the great federation of heaven.
Then, O sworn to requite man's evil wrathfully, Powers
Gracious, on whose grim brows, with viper tresses
inorbed,
Looks red-breathing forth your bosom's feverous anger ;
Now, yea now come surely, to these loud miseries
harken, 195
All I cry, the afflicted, of inmost marrow arising,
Desolate, hot with pain, with blinding fury bewildered.
Yet, for of heart they spring, grief's children truly begotten,
Verily, Gods, these moans you will not idly to perish.
But with counsel of evil as he forsook me deceiving, 200
Death to his house, to his heart, bring also counsel of evil.
WHEN from an anguish'd heart these words stream'd
sorrowful upwards,
Words which on iron deeds did sue for deadly requital.
Bow'd with a nod of assent almighty the ruler of heaven.
With that dreadful motion aneath earth's hollow, the
ruffled 205
Ocean shook, and stormy the stars 'gan tremble in ether.
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? CATULLUS. 63
Thereto his heart thick-sown with blindness cloudily
dark'ning,
Thought not of all those words, Theseus, from memory
fallen,
Words which his heedful soul had kept immovable ever.
Nor to his eager sire fair token of happy returning 210
Rais'd, when his eyes safe-sighted Erectheus' populous
haven.
Once, so stories tell, when Pallas' city behind him
Leaving, Theseus' fleet to the winds given hopefully
parted,
Clasping then his son spake Aegeus, straitly com-
manding.
SON, mine only delight, than life more lovely to gaze
on, 215
Son, whom needs it faints me to launch full-tided on
hazards,
Whom my winter of years hath laid so lately before me :
Since my fate unkindly, thy own fierce valour unheeding,
Needs must wrest thee away, ere yet these dimly-lit
eye-balls
Feed to the full on thee, thy worshipt body behold-
ing ; 220
Neither in exultation of heart I send thee a-warring ;
Nor to the fight shalt bear fair fortune's happier earnest ;
Rather, first in cries mine heart shall lighten her anguish,
When greylocks I sully with earth, with sprinkle of ashes ;
Next to the swaying mast shall a sail hang duskily
swinging; 225
So this grief, mine own, this burning sorrow within me,
Want not a sign, dark shrouds of Iberia, sombre as iron.
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? 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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