The Poems and Fragments of Catullus Part 9

4.

Say, where think you anon to be; declare it, 25 (15) Fair and free, submit, commit to daylight.

What? still thrall to the lovely lily ladies?

Keep close mouth, lock fast the tongue within it, Love's felicity falls without fruition; Venus still is free to talk, a babbler. 30 (20) Yet close palate, an if ye will it; only In my love some part to bear refuse not.

LVII.

O rare sympathies! happy rakes united!

There Mamurra the woman, here a Caesar.

Who can wonder? An ugly brand on either, His, true Formian, his, politely Roman, Rests indelible, in the bone residing. 5

Either infamous, each a twin dishonour, Bookish brethren, a dainty pair pedantic;

One adultrous, as hungry he; with equal Parts in women, a l.u.s.ty corporation.

O rare sympathies! happy rakes united! 10

LVIII.

That bright Lesbia, Caelius, the self-same Peerless Lesbia, she than whom Catullus Self nor family more devoutly cherish'd, By foul roads, or in every shameful alley, Strains the vigorous issue of the people. 5

LIX.

Poor Rufa from Bononia Rufulus gallants, Menenius' errant lady, she that in grave-yards (You've seen her often) snaps from every pile her meal, When hotly chasing dusty loaves the fire rolls down, She felt some half-shorn corpseman and his hand's big blow. 5

LX.

Hadst thou a Libyan lioness on heights all stone, A Scylla, barking wolvish at the loins' last verge, To bear thee, O black-hearted, O to shame forsworn, That unto supplication in my last sad need Thou mightst not harken, deaf to ruth, a beast, no man? 5

LXI.

G.o.d, on verdurous Helicon Dweller, child of Urania, Thou that draw'st to the man the fair Maiden, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus: 5

Wreathe thy brows in amaracus'

Fragrant blossom; an aureat Veil be round thee; approach, in all Joy, approach with a luminous Foot, a sandal of amber. 10

Come, for jolly the time, awake.

Chant in melody musical Hymns of bridal; on earth a foot Beating, hands to the winds above Torches oozily swinging. 15

Such, as she that on Idaly Venus dwelleth, appear'd before Him, the Phrygian arbiter, So with Mallius happily Happy Junia weddeth. 20

Like some myrtle of Asia Bright in airily blossoming Boughs, the wood Hamadryades Nurse with showery dew, to be Theirs, a tender plaything. 25

So come to us in haste; away, Leave thy Thespian hollow-arch'd Rock, muse-haunted, Aonian, Drench'd in spray from aloft, the cold Drift of Nymph Aganippe. 30

Homeward summon a sovereign Wife most pa.s.sionate, holden in Love fast prisoner: ivy not Closer closes an elm around, Interchangeably trailing. 35

You too with him, O you for whom Comes as joyous a time, your own.

Virgins stainless of heart, arise.

Chant in unison, Hymen, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 40

That, more readily listening, Whiles your song to familiar Duty calls him, he hie apace, Lord of fair paramours, of youth's Fair affection uniter. 45

Who more worthy than he to list Lovers wearily languis.h.i.+ng?

Bends from heaven a sovereign G.o.d adorabler? Hymen, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 50

You the father in years for his Child beseecheth; a virginal Zone falls slackly to earth for you, You half-fear in his hankering Lists the groomsman approaching. 55

You from motherly lap the bright Girl can sever; your hand divine Gives dominion, ushering Warm the lover. O Hymen, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 60

Nought delightful, if you be far, Nought unharmed of envious Tongues, Love wins him: if you be near Much he wins him. O excellent G.o.d, that hath not a rival. 65

Houses cannot, if you be far, Yield their children, a babe renew Sire or mother: if you be near, Comes renewal. O excellent G.o.d, that hath not a rival. 70

If your great ceremonial Fail, no champion yeomanry Guards the border. If you be near Arms the border. O excellent G.o.d, that hath not a rival. 75

Fling the portal apart. The bride Waits. O see ye the luminous Torch-flakes ruddily flickering?

. . . . . . 80

Nought she hears us: her innocent (80) Eyes do weep to be going. 85

Weep not, lady; for envious Tongue no lovelier owneth, Au- Runculeia; nor any more Fair saw rosily bright the dawn (85) Leave his chamber in Ocean. 90

Such in many a flowering Garden, trimm'd for a lord's delight, Stands some delicate hyacinth.

Yet you tarry. The day declines. (90) Forth, fair bride, to the people. 95

Forth, fair bride, to the people, if So it likes you, a-listening Words that please us. O eye ye yon Torches ruddily flickering? (95) Forth, fair bride, to the people. 100

Husband never of yours shall haunt Stained wanton, a mutinous Fancy shamefully following, Tire not ever, or e'er from your (100) Dainty bosom unyoke him. 105

He more lithe than a vine amid Trees, that, mazily folded, it Clasps and closes, in amorous Arms shall close thee. The day declines. (105) Forth, fair bride, to the people. 110

Couch of pleasure, _O odorous Couch, whose gorgeous apparellings, Silver-purple, on Indian Woods do rest them; adown_ the bright Feet in ivory glisten; 115

When thy lord in his hour attains, What large extasy, while the night (110) Fleets, or noon the meridian Pa.s.ses thoro'. The day declines.

Forth, fair bride, to the people. 120