The Poems and Fragments of Catullus Part 16

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Lift thy father, a weak burden, unholpen, abhorr'd.

Not that a father's hand my love led to me, nor odours Wafted her home on rich airs, of a.s.syria born; Stealthy the gifts she gave me, a night unspeakable o'er us, 165 (145) Gifts from her husband's dreams verily stolen, his own.

Then 'tis enough for me, if mine, mine only remaineth That one day, whose stone shines with an happier hue.

So, it is all I can, take, Allius, answer, a little Verse to requite thy much friendship, a contrary boon. 170 (150) So your household names no rust nor seamy defacing Soil this day, that new morrow, the next to the last.

Gifts full many to these heaven send as largely requiting, Gifts Themis ever wont deal to the pious of yore.

Joys come plenty to thee, to thy own fair lady together, 175 (155) Come to that house of mirth, come to the lady within; Joy to the forward friend, our love's first fashioner, Anser, Author of all this fair history, founder of all.

Lastly beyond them, above them, on her more lovely than even Life, my lady, for whose life it is happy to be. 180 (160)

LXIX.

Rufus, it is no wonder if yet no woman a.s.senting Softly to thine embrace tender a delicate arm.

Not tho' a gift should seek, some robe most filmy, to move her; Not for a cherish'd gem's clarity, lucid of hue.

Deep in a valley, thy arms, such evil story maligns thee, 5 Rufus, a villain goat houses, a grim denizen.

All are afraid of it, all; what wonder? a rascally creature, Verily! not with such company dally the fair.

Slay, nor pity the brute, our nostril's rueful aversion.

Else admire not if each ravisher angrily fly. 10

LXX.

Saith my lady to me, no man shall wed me, but only Thou; no other if e'en Jove should approach me to woo; Yea; but a woman's words, when a lover fondly desireth, Limn them on ebbing floods, write on a wintery gale.

LXXII.

Lesbia, thou didst swear thou knewest only Catullus, Cared'st not, if him thine arms chained, a Jove to retain.

Then not alone I loved thee, as each light lover a mistress, Lov'd as a father his own sons, or an heir to the name.

Now I know thee aright; so, if more hotly desiring, 5 Yet must count thee a soul cheaper, a frailty to scorn.

'Friend,' thou say'st, 'you cannot.' Alas! such injury leaveth Blindly to doat poor love's folly, malignly to will.

LXXIII.

Never again think any to work aught kindly soever, Dream that in any abides honour, of injury free.

Love is a debt in arrear; time's parted service avails not; Rather is only the more sorrow, a heavier ill: Chiefly to me, whom none so fierce, so deadly deceiving 5 Troubleth, as he whose friend only but inly was I.

LXXIV.

Gellius heard that his uncle in ire exploded, if any Dared, some wanton, a fault practise, a levity speak.

Not to be slain himself, see Gellius handle his uncle's Lady; no Harpocrates muter, his uncle is hush'd.

So what he aim'd at, arriv'd at, anon let Gellius e'en this 5 Uncle abuse; not a word yet will his uncle a.s.say.

LXXVIII.

Brothers twain has Gallus, of whom one owns a delightful Son; his brother a fair lady, delightfuller yet.

Gallant sure is Gallus, a pair so dainty uniting; Lovely the lady, the lad lovely, a company sweet.

Foolish sure is Gallus, an o'er-incurious husband; 5 Uncle, a wife once taught luxury, stops not at one.

LXXIX.

Lesbius, handsome is he. Why not? if Lesbia loves him Far above all your tribe, angry Catullus, or you.

Only let all your tribe sell off, and follow, Catullus, Kiss but his handsome lips children, a plenary three.

Lx.x.xI.

What? not in all this city, Juventius, ever a gallant Poorly to win love's fresh favour of amorous you, Only the lack-love signor, a wretch from sickly Pisaurum, Guest of your hearth, no gilt statue as ashy as he?

Now your very delight, whose faithless fancy Catullus 5 Banisheth, Ah light-reck'd lightness, apostasy vile!

Lx.x.xII.

Wouldst thou, Quintius, have me a debtor ready to owe thee Eyes, or if earth have joy goodlier any than eyes?

One thing take not from me, to me more goodly than even Eyes, or if earth have joy goodlier any than eyes.

Lx.x.xIII.

Lesbia while her lord stands near, rails ever upon me.

This to the fond weak fool seemeth a mighty delight.

Dolt, you see not at all. Could she forget me, to rail not, Nought were amiss; if now scold she, or if she revile, 'Tis not alone to remember; a shrewder stimulus arms her, 5 Anger; her heart doth burn verily, thus to revile.

Lx.x.xIV.

_Stipends_ Arrius ever on opportunity _shtipends_, _Ambush_ as _hambush_ still Arrius used to declaim.

Then, hoped fondly the words were a marvel of articulation, While with an _h_ immense '_hambush_' arose from his heart.

So his mother of old, so e'en spoke Liber his uncle, 5 Credibly; so grandsire, grandam alike did agree.

Syria took him away; all ears had rest for a moment; Lightly the lips those words, slightly could utter again.

None was afraid any more of a sound so clumsy returning; Sudden a solemn fright seized us, a message arrives. 10 'News from Ionia country; the sea, since Arrius enter'd, Changed; 'twas _Ionian_ once, now 'twas _Hionian_ all.'

Lx.x.xV.

Half I hate, half love. How so? one haply requireth.

Nay, I know not; alas feel it, in agony groan.