Porcius, Socration, the greedy Piso's
Tools of thievery, rogues to famish ages,
Tools of thievery, rogues to famish ages,
So that filthy Priapus ousts to please you
My Veranius even and Fabullus?
My Veranius even and Fabullus?
5
What? shall you then at early noon carousing
Lap in luxury? they, my jolly comrades,
Search the streets on a quest of invitation?
Lap in luxury? they, my jolly comrades,
Search the streets on a quest of invitation?
XLVIII.
If, Juventius, I the grace win ever
Still on beauteous honied eyes to kiss thee,
I would kiss them a million, yet a million.
Still on beauteous honied eyes to kiss thee,
I would kiss them a million, yet a million.
Yea, nor count me to win the full attainment,
5 Not, tho' heavier e'en than ears at harvest,
Fall my kisses, a wealthy crop delightful.
5 Not, tho' heavier e'en than ears at harvest,
Fall my kisses, a wealthy crop delightful.
XLIX.
Greatest speaker of any born a Roman,
Marcus Tullius, all that are, that have been,
That shall ever in after-years be famous;
Marcus Tullius, all that are, that have been,
That shall ever in after-years be famous;
Thanks superlative unto thee Catullus
5 Renders, easily last among the poets.
5 Renders, easily last among the poets.
He as easily last among the poets
As thou surely the first among the pleaders.
As thou surely the first among the pleaders.
L.
1.
Dear Lucinius, yestereve we linger'd
Scrawling fancies, a hundred, in my tablets,
Wits in combat; a treaty this between us.
Scrawling fancies, a hundred, in my tablets,
Wits in combat; a treaty this between us.
Scribbling drolleries each of us together
5 Launched one arrowy metre and another,
Tenders jocular o'er the merry wine-cup.
5 Launched one arrowy metre and another,
Tenders jocular o'er the merry wine-cup.
2.
So quite sorely with all your humour heated
Gay Lucinius, I that eve departed.
Gay Lucinius, I that eve departed.
Still untamable o'er the couch did I then
Turn and tumble, in haste to see the day-light,
Hear your prattle again, again be with you.
Turn and tumble, in haste to see the day-light,
Hear your prattle again, again be with you.
3.
Then, when weary with all the worry, numb'd, dead,
15 Sank my body, upon the bed reposing,
This, O humorous heart, did I, a poem
Write, my tedious anguish all revealing.
15 Sank my body, upon the bed reposing,
This, O humorous heart, did I, a poem
Write, my tedious anguish all revealing.
O beware then of hardihood; a lover's
Plea for charity, dear my friend, reject not:
20 What if Nemesis haply claim repayment?
She is tyrannous. O beware offending.
Plea for charity, dear my friend, reject not:
20 What if Nemesis haply claim repayment?
She is tyrannous. O beware offending.
LI.
He to me like unto the Gods appeareth,
He, if I dare speak it, ascends above them,
Face to face who toward thee attently sitting
Gazes or hears thee
He, if I dare speak it, ascends above them,
Face to face who toward thee attently sitting
Gazes or hears thee
5
Lovely in sweet laughter; alas within me
Every lost sense falleth away for anguish;
When as I look'd on thee, upon my lips no
Whisper abideth,
Straight my tongue froze, Lesbia; soon a subtle
10 Fire thro' each limb streameth adown; with inward
Sound the full ears tinkle, on either eye night's
Canopy darkens.
Ease alone, Catullus, alone afflicts thee;
Ease alone breeds error of heady riot;
15 Ease hath entomb'd princes of old renown and
Cities of honour.
Every lost sense falleth away for anguish;
When as I look'd on thee, upon my lips no
Whisper abideth,
Straight my tongue froze, Lesbia; soon a subtle
10 Fire thro' each limb streameth adown; with inward
Sound the full ears tinkle, on either eye night's
Canopy darkens.
Ease alone, Catullus, alone afflicts thee;
Ease alone breeds error of heady riot;
15 Ease hath entomb'd princes of old renown and
Cities of honour.
LII.
Enough, Catullus! how can you delay to die?
If in the curule chair a hump sits, Nonius;
A would-be consul lies in hope, Vatinius;
Enough, Catullus! how can you delay to die?
If in the curule chair a hump sits, Nonius;
A would-be consul lies in hope, Vatinius;
Enough, Catullus! how can you delay to die?
LIII.
How I laughed at a wag amid the circle!
He, when Calvus in high denunciation
Of Vatinius had declaim'd divinely,
Hands uplifted as in supreme amazement,
5 Cried 'God bless us! a wordy cockalorum!'
He, when Calvus in high denunciation
Of Vatinius had declaim'd divinely,
Hands uplifted as in supreme amazement,
5 Cried 'God bless us! a wordy cockalorum!'
LIV.
Otho's head is a very dwarf; a rustic's
Shanks has Herius, only semi-cleanly;
Libo's airs to a fume of art refine them.
. . . . . . . .
5 . . . . . . . .
Yet thou flee'st not above my keen iambics.
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
[So may destiny doom me quite to silence]
10 As I care not if every line offend thee
And Sufficius, age in youth's revival.
. . . . . . . .
Thou shalt kindle at innocent iambics,
Mighty general, once again returning.
Shanks has Herius, only semi-cleanly;
Libo's airs to a fume of art refine them.
. . . . . . . .
5 . . . . . . . .
Yet thou flee'st not above my keen iambics.
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
[So may destiny doom me quite to silence]
10 As I care not if every line offend thee
And Sufficius, age in youth's revival.
. . . . . . . .
Thou shalt kindle at innocent iambics,
Mighty general, once again returning.
LV.
1.
List, I beg, provided you're in humour,
Speak your privacy, show what alley veils you.
You I sought on Campus, I, the lesser,
You on Circus, in all the bills but you, sir.
5 You with father Jove in holy temple.
Then, where flocks the parade to Magnus' arches,
Speak your privacy, show what alley veils you.
You I sought on Campus, I, the lesser,
You on Circus, in all the bills but you, sir.
5 You with father Jove in holy temple.
Then, where flocks the parade to Magnus' arches,
Friend, I hail'd each lady promenader,
Each, I found, did face me quite sedately.
Each, I found, did face me quite sedately.
2.
What? they steal, I loudly cried protesting,
10 My Camerius? out upon the wenches!
Answer'd one and lightly bared a bosom,
'See! what bowery roses; here he hides him.'
10 My Camerius? out upon the wenches!
Answer'd one and lightly bared a bosom,
'See! what bowery roses; here he hides him.'
Yea 'twould task e'en Hercules to bear you,
You so scornful, friend, in your refusing.
You so scornful, friend, in your refusing.
3.
15
Not tho' I were warder of the Cretans,
Not tho' Pegasus on his airy pinion,
Not tho' Pegasus on his airy pinion,
Perseus feathery-footed, I a Ladas,
Rhesus' chariot yok'd to snowy coursers,
Add each feathery sandal, every flying
20 Power, ask fleetness of all the winds of heaven,
Mine, Camerius, and to me devoted;
Yet with drudgery sorely spent should I, yet
Rhesus' chariot yok'd to snowy coursers,
Add each feathery sandal, every flying
20 Power, ask fleetness of all the winds of heaven,
Mine, Camerius, and to me devoted;
Yet with drudgery sorely spent should I, yet
Worn, outworn with languor unto languor
Faint, O friend, in an empty quest to find you.
Faint, O friend, in an empty quest to find you.
4.
25 (15)
Say, where think you anon to be; declare it,
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;
30 (20) Venus still is free to talk, a babbler.
Yet close palate, an if ye will it; only
In my love some part to bear refuse not.
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;
30 (20) Venus still is free to talk, a babbler.
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.
There Mamurra the woman, here a Caesar.
Who can wonder? An ugly brand on either,
His, true Formian, his, politely Roman,
5 Rests indelible, in the bone residing.
His, true Formian, his, politely Roman,
5 Rests indelible, in the bone residing.
Either infamous, each a twin dishonour,
Bookish brethren, a dainty pair pedantic;
Bookish brethren, a dainty pair pedantic;
One adultrous, as hungry he; with equal
Parts in women, a lusty corporation.
10 O rare sympathies! happy rakes united!
Parts in women, a lusty corporation.
10 O rare sympathies! happy rakes united!
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,
5 Strains the vigorous issue of the people.
Peerless Lesbia, she than whom Catullus
Self nor family more devoutly cherish'd,
By foul roads, or in every shameful alley,
5 Strains the vigorous issue of the people.
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,
5 She felt some half-shorn corpseman and his hand's big blow.
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,
5 She felt some half-shorn corpseman and his hand's big blow.
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
5 Thou mightst not harken, deaf to ruth, a beast, no man?
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
5 Thou mightst not harken, deaf to ruth, a beast, no man?
LXI.
God, on verdurous Helicon
Dweller, child of Urania,
Thou that draw'st to the man the fair
Maiden, O Hymenaeus, O
5 Hymen, O Hymenaeus:
Dweller, child of Urania,
Thou that draw'st to the man the fair
Maiden, O Hymenaeus, O
5 Hymen, O Hymenaeus:
Wreathe thy brows in amaracus'
Fragrant blossom; an aureat
Veil be round thee; approach, in all
Joy, approach with a luminous
10 Foot, a sandal of amber.
Fragrant blossom; an aureat
Veil be round thee; approach, in all
Joy, approach with a luminous
10 Foot, a sandal of amber.
Come, for jolly the time, awake.
Chant in melody musical
Hymns of bridal; on earth a foot
Beating, hands to the winds above
15 Torches oozily swinging.
Chant in melody musical
Hymns of bridal; on earth a foot
Beating, hands to the winds above
15 Torches oozily swinging.
Such, as she that on Idaly
Venus dwelleth, appear'd before
Him, the Phrygian arbiter,
So with Mallius happily
20 Happy Junia weddeth.
Venus dwelleth, appear'd before
Him, the Phrygian arbiter,
So with Mallius happily
20 Happy Junia weddeth.
Like some myrtle of Asia
Bright in airily blossoming
Boughs, the wood Hamadryades
Nurse with showery dew, to be
25 Theirs, a tender plaything.
Bright in airily blossoming
Boughs, the wood Hamadryades
Nurse with showery dew, to be
25 Theirs, a tender plaything.
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
30 Drift of Nymph Aganippe.
Leave thy Thespian hollow-arch'd
Rock, muse-haunted, Aonian,
Drench'd in spray from aloft, the cold
30 Drift of Nymph Aganippe.
Homeward summon a sovereign
Wife most passionate, holden in
Love fast prisoner: ivy not
Closer closes an elm around,
35 Interchangeably trailing.
Wife most passionate, holden in
Love fast prisoner: ivy not
Closer closes an elm around,
35 Interchangeably trailing.
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
40 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Comes as joyous a time, your own.
Virgins stainless of heart, arise.
Chant in unison, Hymen, O
40 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
That, more readily listening,
Whiles your song to familiar
Duty calls him, he hie apace,
Lord of fair paramours, of youth's
45 Fair affection uniter.
Whiles your song to familiar
Duty calls him, he hie apace,
Lord of fair paramours, of youth's
45 Fair affection uniter.
Who more worthy than he to list
Lovers wearily languishing?
Bends from heaven a sovereign
God adorabler? Hymen, O
50 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Lovers wearily languishing?
Bends from heaven a sovereign
God adorabler? Hymen, O
50 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
You the father in years for his
Child beseecheth; a virginal
Zone falls slackly to earth for you,
You half-fear in his hankering
55 Lists the groomsman approaching.
Child beseecheth; a virginal
Zone falls slackly to earth for you,
You half-fear in his hankering
55 Lists the groomsman approaching.
You from motherly lap the bright
Girl can sever; your hand divine
Gives dominion, ushering
Warm the lover. O Hymen, O
60 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Girl can sever; your hand divine
Gives dominion, ushering
Warm the lover. O Hymen, O
60 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Nought delightful, if you be far,
Nought unharmed of envious
Tongues, Love wins him: if you be near
Much he wins him. O excellent
65 God, that hath not a rival.
Nought unharmed of envious
Tongues, Love wins him: if you be near
Much he wins him. O excellent
65 God, that hath not a rival.
Houses cannot, if you be far,
Yield their children, a babe renew
Sire or mother: if you be near,
Comes renewal. O excellent
70 God, that hath not a rival.
Yield their children, a babe renew
Sire or mother: if you be near,
Comes renewal. O excellent
70 God, that hath not a rival.
If your great ceremonial
Fail, no champion yeomanry
Guards the border. If you be near
Arms the border. O excellent
75 God, that hath not a rival.
Fail, no champion yeomanry
Guards the border. If you be near
Arms the border. O excellent
75 God, that hath not a rival.
Fling the portal apart. The bride
Waits. O see ye the luminous
Torch-flakes ruddily flickering?
. . . . . . . .
80 . . . . . . .
Waits. O see ye the luminous
Torch-flakes ruddily flickering?
. . . . . . . .
80 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
(80) Nought she hears us: her innocent
85 Eyes do weep to be going.
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
(80) Nought she hears us: her innocent
85 Eyes do weep to be going.
Weep not, lady; for envious
Tongue no lovelier owneth, Au-
Runculeia; nor any more
(85) Fair saw rosily bright the dawn
90 Leave his chamber in Ocean.
Tongue no lovelier owneth, Au-
Runculeia; nor any more
(85) Fair saw rosily bright the dawn
90 Leave his chamber in Ocean.
Such in many a flowering
Garden, trimm'd for a lord's delight,
Stands some delicate hyacinth.
(90) Yet you tarry. The day declines.
95 Forth, fair bride, to the people.
Garden, trimm'd for a lord's delight,
Stands some delicate hyacinth.
(90) Yet you tarry. The day declines.
95 Forth, fair bride, to the people.
Forth, fair bride, to the people, if
So it likes you, a-listening
Words that please us. O eye ye yon
(95) Torches ruddily flickering?
100 Forth, fair bride, to the people.
So it likes you, a-listening
Words that please us. O eye ye yon
(95) Torches ruddily flickering?
100 Forth, fair bride, to the people.
Husband never of yours shall haunt
Stained wanton, a mutinous
Fancy shamefully following,
(100) Tire not ever, or e'er from your
105 Dainty bosom unyoke him.
Stained wanton, a mutinous
Fancy shamefully following,
(100) Tire not ever, or e'er from your
105 Dainty bosom unyoke him.
He more lithe than a vine amid
Trees, that, mazily folded, it
Clasps and closes, in amorous
(105) Arms shall close thee. The day declines.
110 Forth, fair bride, to the people.
Trees, that, mazily folded, it
Clasps and closes, in amorous
(105) Arms shall close thee. The day declines.
110 Forth, fair bride, to the people.
Couch of pleasure, O odorous
Couch, whose gorgeous apparellings,
Silver-purple, on Indian
Woods do rest them; adown the bright
115 Feet in ivory glisten;
Couch, whose gorgeous apparellings,
Silver-purple, on Indian
Woods do rest them; adown the bright
115 Feet in ivory glisten;
When thy lord in his hour attains,
(110) What large extasy, while the night
Fleets, or noon the meridian
Passes thoro'. The day declines.
120 Forth, fair bride, to the people.
(110) What large extasy, while the night
Fleets, or noon the meridian
Passes thoro'. The day declines.
120 Forth, fair bride, to the people.
Lift the torches aloft in air,
(115) Boys: the fiery veil is here.
Come, to measure your hymn rehearse.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
125 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(115) Boys: the fiery veil is here.
Come, to measure your hymn rehearse.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
125 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Nor withhold ye the countryman's
(120) Ribald raillery Fescenine.
Nor if happily boys declare
Thy dominion attaint, refuse,
130 Youth, the nuts to be flinging.
(120) Ribald raillery Fescenine.
Nor if happily boys declare
Thy dominion attaint, refuse,
130 Youth, the nuts to be flinging.
Fling, O womanish youth; the boys
(125) Ask thee charity. Time agone
Toys and folly; to-day begins
Our high duty, Talassius.
135 Hasten, youth, to be flinging.
(125) Ask thee charity. Time agone
Toys and folly; to-day begins
Our high duty, Talassius.
135 Hasten, youth, to be flinging.
Thou didst surely but yestereve
(130) Mock the women, a favourite
Far above them: anon the first
Beard, the razor. Alack, alas!
140 Hasten, youth, to be flinging.
(130) Mock the women, a favourite
Far above them: anon the first
Beard, the razor. Alack, alas!
140 Hasten, youth, to be flinging.
You, whom odorous oils declare
(135) Bridegroom, swerve not; a slippery
Love calls lightly, but yet refrain.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
145 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(135) Bridegroom, swerve not; a slippery
Love calls lightly, but yet refrain.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
145 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Lawful only did e'er delight
(140) You, we know; but it is not, O
Husband, lawful as heretofore.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
150 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(140) You, we know; but it is not, O
Husband, lawful as heretofore.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
150 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Bride, thou also, if he demand
(145) Aught, refuse not, assent, obey.
Love can angrily pipe adieu.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
155 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(145) Aught, refuse not, assent, obey.
Love can angrily pipe adieu.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
155 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Look! thy mansion, a sovereign
(150) Home most goodly, by him to thee
Given. Reign as a queen within,
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
160 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(150) Home most goodly, by him to thee
Given. Reign as a queen within,
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
160 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Still when hoary decrepitude,
(155) Shaking wintery brows benign,
Nods a tremulous Yes to all.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
165 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(155) Shaking wintery brows benign,
Nods a tremulous Yes to all.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
165 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
With fair augury smite the blest
(160) Threshold, sunnily glistening
Feet: yon ivory door approach,
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
170 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(160) Threshold, sunnily glistening
Feet: yon ivory door approach,
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
170 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
See one seated, a banqueter.
(165) 'Tis thy lord on a Tyrian
Couch: his spirit is all to thee.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
175 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(165) 'Tis thy lord on a Tyrian
Couch: his spirit is all to thee.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
175 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Not less surely in him than in
(170) Thee love lighteth a bosoming
Flame; but deeper, a fire within.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
180 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(170) Thee love lighteth a bosoming
Flame; but deeper, a fire within.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
180 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
185 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
185 . . . . . . .
Thou, whose purple her arm, the slim
(175) Arm, props happily, boy, depart.
Time the bride be at entering.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
190 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(175) Arm, props happily, boy, depart.
Time the bride be at entering.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
190 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
You in chastity tried the long
(180) Years, good women of agedest
Husbands, lay ye the bride to-night.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
195 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
(180) Years, good women of agedest
Husbands, lay ye the bride to-night.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
195 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Husband, stay not: a bride within
(185) Coucheth ready, the flowering
Spring less lovely; a countenance
White as parthenice, beyond
200 Yellow poppy to gaze on.
(185) Coucheth ready, the flowering
Spring less lovely; a countenance
White as parthenice, beyond
200 Yellow poppy to gaze on.
Thou, so help me the favouring
(190) Gods immortal, as heavenly
Fair art also, adorned of
Venus' bounty. The day declines.
205 Come nor tarry to greet her.
(190) Gods immortal, as heavenly
Fair art also, adorned of
Venus' bounty. The day declines.
205 Come nor tarry to greet her.
Not too slothfully tarrying,
(195) Thou art here. Benediction of
Venus help thee, a man without
Shame of blameless, a love that is
210 Honest frankly revealing.
(195) Thou art here. Benediction of
Venus help thee, a man without
Shame of blameless, a love that is
210 Honest frankly revealing.
Dust of infinite Africa,
(200) Stars that sparkle, a myriad
Host, who measureth, your delights
He shall tell them, ineffable,
215 Multitudinous, over.
(200) Stars that sparkle, a myriad
Host, who measureth, your delights
He shall tell them, ineffable,
215 Multitudinous, over.
Make your happy delight, renew'd
(205) Soon in children. A glorious
Name and olden is ill without
Children, unto the first a new
220 Stock as goodly begetting.
(205) Soon in children. A glorious
Name and olden is ill without
Children, unto the first a new
220 Stock as goodly begetting.
Some Torquatus, a beauteous
(210) Babe, on motherly breasts to thee
Stretching, father, his innocent
Hands, smile softly from inchoate
225 Lips half-open a welcome.
(210) Babe, on motherly breasts to thee
Stretching, father, his innocent
Hands, smile softly from inchoate
225 Lips half-open a welcome.
Like his father, a Mallius
(215) New presented, of every
Eyeing stranger allowed his own;
Mother's chastity moulded in
230 Features childly revealing.
(215) New presented, of every
Eyeing stranger allowed his own;
Mother's chastity moulded in
230 Features childly revealing.
Glory speak of him issuing
(220) Child of mother as excellent
She, as only that age-renown'd
Wife, whose story Telemachus
235 Blazons, Penelopea.
(220) Child of mother as excellent
She, as only that age-renown'd
Wife, whose story Telemachus
235 Blazons, Penelopea.
Virgins, close ye the door. Enough
(225) This our carol. O happiest
Lovers, jollity live with you.
Still that genial youth to love's
240 Consummation attend ye.
(225) This our carol. O happiest
Lovers, jollity live with you.
Still that genial youth to love's
240 Consummation attend ye.
LXII.
YOUTHS.
Hesper is here; rise youths, rise all of you; high on Olympus
Hesper his orb long-look'd for aloft 'gins slowly to kindle.
Time is now to arise, from tables costly to part us;
Now doth a virgin approach, now soundeth a glad Hymenaeal.
Hesper his orb long-look'd for aloft 'gins slowly to kindle.
Time is now to arise, from tables costly to part us;
Now doth a virgin approach, now soundeth a glad Hymenaeal.
5
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
VIRGINS.
See ye yon youthful band? O, maidens, rise ye to meet them.
Comes not Night's bright bearer a fire o'er Oeta revealing?
Surely; for even now, in a moment all have arisen,
Not for nought have arisen; a song waits, goodly to gaze on.
Comes not Night's bright bearer a fire o'er Oeta revealing?
Surely; for even now, in a moment all have arisen,
Not for nought have arisen; a song waits, goodly to gaze on.
10
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
YOUTHS.
No light victory this, O comrades, ready before us.
Busy the virgins muse, their practis'd ditty recalling,
Muse nor shall miscarry; a song for memory waits us.
Rightly; for all their souls do inwards labour in issue.
Busy the virgins muse, their practis'd ditty recalling,
Muse nor shall miscarry; a song for memory waits us.
Rightly; for all their souls do inwards labour in issue.
15
We—our thoughts one way, our ears have drifted another,
So comes worthy defeat; no victory calls to the careless.
Come then, in even race let thought their melody rival;
They must open anon; 'twere better anon be replying.
So comes worthy defeat; no victory calls to the careless.
Come then, in even race let thought their melody rival;
They must open anon; 'twere better anon be replying.
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
VIRGINS.
20
Hesper, moveth in heaven a light more tyrannous ever?
Thou from a mother's arms canst wrest her daughter asunder,
Wrest from a mother's arms her daughter woefully clinging,
Then to the burning youth his virgin beauty deliver.
Foes in a new-sack'd town, when wrought they crueller ever?
Thou from a mother's arms canst wrest her daughter asunder,
Wrest from a mother's arms her daughter woefully clinging,
Then to the burning youth his virgin beauty deliver.
Foes in a new-sack'd town, when wrought they crueller ever?
25
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
YOUTHS.
Hesper, shineth in heaven a light more genial ever?
Thou with a bridal flame true lovers' unity crownest,
All which duly the men, which plighted duly the parents,
Then completed alone, when thou in splendour awakest.
30 When shone an happier hour than thy god-speeded arriving?
Thou with a bridal flame true lovers' unity crownest,
All which duly the men, which plighted duly the parents,
Then completed alone, when thou in splendour awakest.
30 When shone an happier hour than thy god-speeded arriving?
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
VIRGINS.
Sisters, Hesper a fellow of our bright company taketh.
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
35 . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
35 . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
YOUTHS.
40
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Hesper, awaiting thee each sentinel holdeth alarum.
Night veils love's false thieves; thieves still when, Hesper, another
(35) Name, but unalter'd still, thou tak'st them surely, returning.
45 Yet be the maidens pleas'd in woeful fancy to chide thee.
Maybe for all they chide, their hearts do inly desire thee.
. . . . . . . . .
Hesper, awaiting thee each sentinel holdeth alarum.
Night veils love's false thieves; thieves still when, Hesper, another
(35) Name, but unalter'd still, thou tak'st them surely, returning.
45 Yet be the maidens pleas'd in woeful fancy to chide thee.
Maybe for all they chide, their hearts do inly desire thee.
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
VIRGINS.
Look in a garden-croft when a flower privily growing,
(40) Hid from grazing kine, by ploughshare never y-broken,
50 Strok'd by the breeze, by the sun nurs'd sturdily, rear'd by the showers;
Many a wistful boy, and maidens many desire it:
(40) Hid from grazing kine, by ploughshare never y-broken,
50 Strok'd by the breeze, by the sun nurs'd sturdily, rear'd by the showers;
Many a wistful boy, and maidens many desire it:
Yet if a slender nail hath nipt his bloom to deflour it,
Never a wistful boy, nor maidens any desire it:
Never a wistful boy, nor maidens any desire it:
(45)
Such is a girl untoy'd with as yet, yet lovely to kinsmen;
55 Once her body profan'd, herflow'r of chastity blighted,
Boys no more she delights, nor seems so lovely to maidens;
55 Once her body profan'd, herflow'r of chastity blighted,
Boys no more she delights, nor seems so lovely to maidens;
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
YOUTHS.
Look as a lone lorn vine in a bare field sorrily growing,
(50) Never an arm uplifts, no grape to maturity ripens,
(50) Never an arm uplifts, no grape to maturity ripens,
60
Only with headlong weight her tender body declining,
Bows, till topmost spray and roots meet feebly together;
Her no peasant swain, nor bullock tendeth her ever;
Bows, till topmost spray and roots meet feebly together;
Her no peasant swain, nor bullock tendeth her ever;
Yet to the bachelor elm if marriage-fortune unite her,
(55) Many a peasant tills and bullocks many about her;
(55) Many a peasant tills and bullocks many about her;
65
Such is a maid untoy'd with as yet, in loneliness aging;
Wins she a bridegroom meet, in time's warm fulness arriving,
So to the man more dear, and less unlovely to parents.
Wins she a bridegroom meet, in time's warm fulness arriving,
So to the man more dear, and less unlovely to parents.
O then, clasp thy love, nor fight, fair maiden, against him.
(60) Sin 'twere surely to fight; thy father gave to his arms thee,
70 Father's self and mother; obey nor wrongly defy them.
. . . . . . . . . .
(60) Sin 'twere surely to fight; thy father gave to his arms thee,
70 Father's self and mother; obey nor wrongly defy them.
. . . . . . . . . .
Virgin's crown thou claim'st not alone, but partly the parents,
Father's one whole part, one goes to the mother allotted,
Rests one only to thee; O fight not with them alone thou,
75 (65) Both to a son their rights and both their dowry deliver.
Father's one whole part, one goes to the mother allotted,
Rests one only to thee; O fight not with them alone thou,
75 (65) Both to a son their rights and both their dowry deliver.
Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.
LXIII.
In a swift ship Attis hasting over ocean a mariner
When he gained the wood, the Phrygian, with a foot of agility,
When he near'd the leafy forest, dark sanctuary divine;
By unearthly fury frenzied, a bewildered agony,
5 With a flint of edge he shatter'd to the ground his humanity.
Then aghast to see the lost limbs, the deform'd inutility,
While still the gory dabble did anew the soil pollute,
With a snowy palm the woman took affrayed a taborine.
Taborine, the trump that hails thee, Cybele, thy initiant.
10 Then a dainty finger heaving to the tremulous hide o' the bull,
He began this invocation to the company, spirit-awed.
When he gained the wood, the Phrygian, with a foot of agility,
When he near'd the leafy forest, dark sanctuary divine;
By unearthly fury frenzied, a bewildered agony,
5 With a flint of edge he shatter'd to the ground his humanity.
Then aghast to see the lost limbs, the deform'd inutility,
While still the gory dabble did anew the soil pollute,
With a snowy palm the woman took affrayed a taborine.
Taborine, the trump that hails thee, Cybele, thy initiant.
10 Then a dainty finger heaving to the tremulous hide o' the bull,
He began this invocation to the company, spirit-awed.
"To the groves, ye sexless eunuchs, in assembly to Cybele,
Lost sheep that err rebellious to the lady Dindymene;
Ye, who all awing for exile in a country of aliens,
15 My unearthly rule obeying to be with me, my retinue,
Could aby the surly salt seas' mid inexorability,
Could in utter hate to lewdness your sex dishabilitate;
Lost sheep that err rebellious to the lady Dindymene;
Ye, who all awing for exile in a country of aliens,
15 My unearthly rule obeying to be with me, my retinue,
Could aby the surly salt seas' mid inexorability,
Could in utter hate to lewdness your sex dishabilitate;
Let a gong clash glad emotion, set a giddy fury to roam,
All slow delay be banish'd, thither his ye thither away
20 To the Phrygian home, the wild wood, to the sanctuary divine;
All slow delay be banish'd, thither his ye thither away
20 To the Phrygian home, the wild wood, to the sanctuary divine;
Where rings the noisy cymbal, taborines are in echoing,
On a curved oat the Phrygian deep pipeth a melody,
With a fury toss the Maenads clad in ivies a frolic head,
To a barbarous ululation the religious orgy wakes,
25 Where fleets across the silence Cybele's holy family;
Thither his we, so beseems us; to a mazy measure away."
On a curved oat the Phrygian deep pipeth a melody,
With a fury toss the Maenads clad in ivies a frolic head,
To a barbarous ululation the religious orgy wakes,
25 Where fleets across the silence Cybele's holy family;
Thither his we, so beseems us; to a mazy measure away."
Thus as Attis, a woman, Attis, not a woman, urg'd the rest,
On a sudden yell'd in huddling agitation every tongue,
Taborines give airy murmur, give a clangorous echo gongs,
30 With a rush the brotherhood hastens to the woods, the bosom of Ide.
Then in agony, breathless, errant, flush'd wearily, cometh on
Taborine behind him, Attis, thoro' leafy glooms a guide,
As a restive heifer yields not to the cumbrous onerous yoke.
Thither his the votaress eunuchs with an emulous alacrity.
35 Now faintly sickly plodding to the goddess's holy shrine,
They took the rest which easeth long toil, nor ate withal.
Slow sleep descends on eyelids ready drowsily to decline,
In a soft repose departeth the devout spirit-agony.
When awoke the sun, the golden, that his eyes heaven-orient
40 Scann'd lustrous air, the rude seas, earth's massy solidity,
When he smote the shadowy twilight with his healthy team sublime,
Then arous'd was Attis; o'er him sleep hastily fled away
To Pasithea's arms immortal with a tremulous hovering.
But awaked from his reposing, the delirious anguish o'er,
45 When as Attis' heart recalled him to the past solitarily,
Saw clearly where he stood, what, an annihilate apathy,
With a soul that heaved within him, to the water he fled again.
Then as o'er the waste of ocean with a rainy eye he gazed
To the land of home he murmur'd miserable a soliloquy.
On a sudden yell'd in huddling agitation every tongue,
Taborines give airy murmur, give a clangorous echo gongs,
30 With a rush the brotherhood hastens to the woods, the bosom of Ide.
Then in agony, breathless, errant, flush'd wearily, cometh on
Taborine behind him, Attis, thoro' leafy glooms a guide,
As a restive heifer yields not to the cumbrous onerous yoke.
Thither his the votaress eunuchs with an emulous alacrity.
35 Now faintly sickly plodding to the goddess's holy shrine,
They took the rest which easeth long toil, nor ate withal.
Slow sleep descends on eyelids ready drowsily to decline,
In a soft repose departeth the devout spirit-agony.
When awoke the sun, the golden, that his eyes heaven-orient
40 Scann'd lustrous air, the rude seas, earth's massy solidity,
When he smote the shadowy twilight with his healthy team sublime,
Then arous'd was Attis; o'er him sleep hastily fled away
To Pasithea's arms immortal with a tremulous hovering.
But awaked from his reposing, the delirious anguish o'er,
45 When as Attis' heart recalled him to the past solitarily,
Saw clearly where he stood, what, an annihilate apathy,
With a soul that heaved within him, to the water he fled again.
Then as o'er the waste of ocean with a rainy eye he gazed
To the land of home he murmur'd miserable a soliloquy.
50
"Mother-home of all affection, dear home, my nativity,
Whom in anguish I deserting, as in hatred a runaway
From a master, hither have hurried to the lonely woods of Ide,
Whom in anguish I deserting, as in hatred a runaway
From a master, hither have hurried to the lonely woods of Ide,
To be with the snows, the wild beasts, in a wintery domicile,
To be near each savage houser that a surly fury provokes,
55 What horizon, O beloved, may attain to thee anywhere?
To be near each savage houser that a surly fury provokes,
55 What horizon, O beloved, may attain to thee anywhere?
Yet an eyeless orb is yearning ineffectually to thee.
For a little ere returneth the delirious hour again.
For a little ere returneth the delirious hour again.
Shall a homeless Attis hie him to the groves uninhabited?
Shall he leave a country, wealth, friends? bid a sire, a mother, adieu?
60 The palaestra lost, the forum, the gymnasium, the course?
Shall he leave a country, wealth, friends? bid a sire, a mother, adieu?
60 The palaestra lost, the forum, the gymnasium, the course?
O unhappy, fall a-weeping, thou unhappy soul, for aye.
For is honour of any semblance, any beauty but of it I?
Who, a woman here, in order was a man, a youth, a boy,
To the sinewy ring a fam'd flower, the gymnasium's applause.
Who, a woman here, in order was a man, a youth, a boy,
To the sinewy ring a fam'd flower, the gymnasium's applause.
65
With a throng about the portal, with a populace in the gate,
With a flowery coronal hanging upon every column of home,
When anew my chamber open'd, as awoke the sunny morn.
With a flowery coronal hanging upon every column of home,
When anew my chamber open'd, as awoke the sunny morn.
O am I to live the god's slave? feodary be to Cybele?
Or a Maenad I, an eunuch? or a part of a body slain?
Or a Maenad I, an eunuch? or a part of a body slain?
70
Or am I to range the green tracts upon Ida snowy-chill?
Be beneath the stately caverns colonnaded of Asia?
Be with hind that haunts the covert, or in hursts that house the boar?
Be beneath the stately caverns colonnaded of Asia?
Be with hind that haunts the covert, or in hursts that house the boar?
Woe, woe the deed accomplish'd! woe, woe, the shame to me!"
From rosy lips ascending when approached the gusty cry
75 To celestial ears recording such a message inly borne,
Cybele, the thong relaxing from a lion-haled yoke,
Said, aleft the goad addressing to the foe that awes the flocks—
75 To celestial ears recording such a message inly borne,
Cybele, the thong relaxing from a lion-haled yoke,
Said, aleft the goad addressing to the foe that awes the flocks—
"Come, a service; haste, my brave one; let a fury the madman arm,
Let a fury, a frenzy prick him to return to the wood again,
80 This is he my hest declineth, the unheedy, the runaway.
Let a fury, a frenzy prick him to return to the wood again,
80 This is he my hest declineth, the unheedy, the runaway.
From an angry tail refuse not to abide the sinewy stroke,
To a roar let all the regions echo answer everywhere,
On a nervy neck be tossing that uneasy tawny mane."
To a roar let all the regions echo answer everywhere,
On a nervy neck be tossing that uneasy tawny mane."
So in ire she spake, adjusting disunitedly then her yoke
85 At his own rebuke the lion doth his heart to a fury spur,
With a step, a roar, a bursting unarrested of any brake.
But anear the foamy places when he came, to the frothy beach,
When he saw the sexless Attis by the seas' level opaline,
Then he rushed upon him; affrighted to the wintery wood he flew,
90 Cybele's for aye, for all years, in her order a votaress.
Holy deity, great Cybele, holy lady Dindymene,
Be to me afar for ever that inordinate agony.
O another hound to madness, O another hurry to rage!
85 At his own rebuke the lion doth his heart to a fury spur,
With a step, a roar, a bursting unarrested of any brake.
But anear the foamy places when he came, to the frothy beach,
When he saw the sexless Attis by the seas' level opaline,
Then he rushed upon him; affrighted to the wintery wood he flew,
90 Cybele's for aye, for all years, in her order a votaress.
Holy deity, great Cybele, holy lady Dindymene,
Be to me afar for ever that inordinate agony.
O another hound to madness, O another hurry to rage!