The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus
Chapter 7
O Caelius, our Lesbia, that Lesbia, the self-same Lesbia whom Catullus more than himself and all his own did worship, now at cross-roads and in alleys husks off the mettlesome descendants of Remus.
LVIIII.
Bononiensis Rufa Rufulum fellat, Vxor Meneni, saepe quam in sepulcretis Vidistis ipso rapere de rogo cenam, Cum devolutum ex igne prosequens panem Ab semiraso tunderetur ustore. 5
LVIIII.
ON RUFA.
Rúfa the Bolognese drains Rufule dry, (Wife to Menenius) she 'mid tombs you'll spy, The same a-snatching supper from the pyre Following the bread-loaves rolling forth the fire Till frapped by half-shaved body-burner's ire. 5
Rufa of Bononia lends her lips to Rufulus, she the wife of Menenius, whom oft among the sepulchres ye have seen clutching her meal from the funeral pile, when pursuing the bread which has rolled from the fire, whilst she was being buffeted by a semi-shorn corpse-burner.
LX.
Num te leaena montibus Libystinis Aut Scylla latrans infima inguinum parte Tam mente dura procreavit ac taetra, Vt supplicis vocem in novissimo casu Contemptam haberes a! nimis fero corde? 5
LX.
TO A CRUEL CHARMER.
Bare thee some lioness wild in Lybian wold? Or Scylla barking from low'st inguinal fold? With so black spirit, of so dure a mould, E'en voice of suppliant must thou disregard In latest circumstance ah, heart o'er hard? 5
Did a lioness of the Libyan Hills, or Scylla yelping from her lowmost groin, thee procreate, with mind so hard and horrid, that thou hast contempt upon a suppliant's voice in calamity's newest stress? O heart o'ergreatly cruel.
LXI.
Collis o Heliconii Cultor, Vraniae genus, Qui rapis teneram ad virum Virginem, o Hymenaee Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaee, 5
Cinge tempora floribus Suave olentis amaraci, Flammeum cape, laetus huc Huc veni niveo gerens Luteum pede soccum, 10
Excitusque hilari die Nuptialia concinens Voce carmina tinnula Pelle humum pedibus, manu Pineam quate taedam. 15
Namque Vinia Manlio, Qualis Idalium colens Venit ad Phrygium Venus Iudicem, bona cum bona Nubet alite virgo, 20
Floridis velut enitens Myrtus Asia ramulis, Quos Hamadryades deae Ludicrum sibi rosido Nutriunt umore. 25
Quare age huc aditum ferens Perge linquere Thespiae Rupis Aonios specus, Nympha quos super inrigat Frigerans Aganippe, 30
Ac domum dominam voca Coniugis cupidam novi, Mentem amore revinciens, Vt tenax hedera huc et huc Arborem inplicat errans. 35
Vosque item simul, integrae Virgines, quibus advenit Par dies, agite in modum Dicite 'o Hymenaee Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaee,' 40
Vt lubentius, audiens Se citarier ad suom Munus, huc aditum ferat Dux bonae Veneris, boni Coniugator amoris. 45
Quis deus magis anxiis Est petendus amantibus? Quem colent homines magis Caelitum? o Hymenaee Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaee. 50
Te suis tremulus parens Invocat, tibi virgines Zonula soluunt sinus, Te timens cupida novos Captat aure maritus. 55
Tu fero iuveni in manus Floridam ipse puellulam Dedis a gremio suae Matris, o Hymenaee Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaee. 60
Nil potest sine te Venus, Fama quod bona conprobet, Commodi capere: at potest Te volente. quis huic deo Conpararier ausit? 65
Nulla quit sine te domus Liberos dare, nec parens Stirpe cingier: at potest Te volente. quis huic deo Conpararier ausit? 70
Quae tuis careat sacris, Non queat dare praesides Terra finibus: at queat Te volente. quis huic deo Conpararier ausit? 75
Claustra pandite ianuae, Virgo ades. viden ut faces Splendidas quatiunt comas? Tardet ingenuos pudor: * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * Quem tamen magis audiens 80 Flet, quod ire necesse est. 81
Flere desine. non tibi, A- (86) runculeia, periculumst, Nequa femina pulchrior Clarum ab Oceano diem 85 Viderit venientem. (90)
Talis in vario solet Divitis domini hortulo Stare flos hyacinthinus. Sed moraris, abit dies: 90 _Prodeas, nova nupta._
Prodeas, nova nupta, si Iam videtur, et audias Nostra verba. vide ut faces Aureas quatiunt comas: 95 Prodeas, nova nupta.
Non tuos levis in mala Deditus vir adultera Probra turpia persequens A tuis teneris volet 100 Secubare papillis,
Lenta quin velut adsitas Vitis inplicat arbores, Inplicabitur in tuom Conplexum. sed abit dies: 105 Prodeas, nova nupta.
O cubile, quod omnibus * * * * * * * * * * * * 110 Candido pede lecti,
Quae tuo veniunt ero, Quanta gaudia, quae vaga Nocte, quae medio die Gaudeat! sed abit dies: 115 Prodeas, nova nupta.
Tollite, o pueri, faces: Flammeum video venire. Ite, concinite in modum 'O Hymen Hymenaee io, 120 O Hymen Hymenaee.'
Ne diu taceat procax Fescennina iocatio, Nec nuces pueris neget Desertum domini audiens 125 Concubinus amorem.
Da nuces pueris, iners Concubine: satis diu Lusisti nucibus: lubet Iam servire Talasio. 130 Concubine, nuces da.
Sordebant tibi vilicae, Concubine, hodie atque heri: Nunc tuom cinerarius Tondet os. miser a miser 135 Concubine, nuces da.
Diceris male te a tuis Vnguentate glabris marite Abstinere: sed abstine. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 140 O Hymen Hymenaee.
Scimus haec tibi quae licent Sola cognita: sed marito Ista non eadem licent. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 145 O Hymen Hymenaee.
Nupta, tu quoque, quae tuos Vir petet, cave ne neges, Ni petitum aliunde eat. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 150 O Hymen Hymenaee.
En tibi domus ut potens Et beata viri tui, Quae tibi sine fine erit (O Hymen Hymenaee io, 155 O Hymen Hymenaee),
Vsque dum tremulum movens Cana tempus anilitas Omnia omnibus adnuit. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 160 O Hymen Hymenaee.
Transfer omine cum bono Limen aureolos pedes, Rasilemque subi forem. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 165 O Hymen Hymenaee.
Aspice, intus ut accubans Vir tuos Tyrio in toro Totus inmineat tibi. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 170 O Hymen Hymenaee.
Illi non minus ac tibi Pectore uritur intimo Flamma, sed penite magis. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 175 O Hymen Hymenaee.
Mitte brachiolum teres, Praetextate, puellulae: Iam cubile adeat viri. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 180 O Hymen Hymenaee.
Vos bonae senibus viris Cognitae bene feminae, Collocate puellulam. O Hymen Hymenaee io, 185 O Hymen Hymenaee.
Iam licet venias, marite: Vxor in thalamo tibist Ore floridulo nitens, Alba parthenice velut 190 Luteumve papaver.
At, marite, (ita me iuvent Caelites) nihilo minus Pulcher es, neque te Venus Neglegit. sed abit dies: 195 Perge, ne remorare.
Non diu remoratus es, Iam venis. bona te Venus Iuverit, quoniam palam Quod cupis capis et bonum 200 Non abscondis amorem.
Ille pulveris Africei Siderumque micantium Subducat numerum prius, Qui vostri numerare volt 205 Multa milia ludei.
Ludite ut lubet, et brevi Liberos date. non decet Tam vetus sine liberis Nomen esse, sed indidem 210 Semper ingenerari.
Torquatus volo parvolus Matris e gremio suae Porrigens teneras manus Dulce rideat ad patrem 215 Semhiante labello.
Sit suo similis patri Manlio et facile inscieis Noscitetur ab omnibus Et pudicitiam suae 220 Matris indicet ore.
Talis illius a bona Matre laus genus adprobet, Qualis unica ab optima Matre Telemacho manet 225 Fama Penelopeo.
Claudite ostia, virgines: Lusimus satis. at, bonei Coniuges, bene vivite et Munere adsiduo valentem 230 Exercete inventam.
LXI.
EPITHALAMIUM ON VINIA AND MANLIUS.
1.
Of Helicon-hill, O Thou that be Haunter, Urania's progeny, Who hurriest soft virginity To man, O Hymenæus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenæus. 5
2.
About thy temples bind the bloom, Of Marjoram flow'ret scented sweet; Take flamey veil: glad hither come Come hither borne by snow-hue'd feet Wearing the saffron'd sock. 10
3.
And, roused by day of joyful cheer, Carolling nuptial lays and chaunts With voice as silver-ringing clear, Beat ground with feet, while brandisht flaunts Thy hand the piney torch. 15
4.
For Vinia comes by Manlius woo'd, As Venus on th' Idalian crest, Before the Phrygian judge she stood And now with blessèd omens blest, The maid is here to wed. 20
5.
A maiden shining bright of blee, As Myrtle branchlet Asia bred, Which Hamadryad deity As toy for joyance aye befed With humour of the dew. 25
6.
Then hither come thou, hieing lief, Awhile to leave th' Aonian cave, Where 'neath the rocky Thespian cliff Nymph Aganippe loves to lave In cooly waves outpoured. 30
7.
And call the house-bride, homewards bring Maid yearning for new married fere, Her mind with fondness manacling, As the tough ivy here and there Errant the tree enwinds. 35
8.
And likewise ye, clean virginal Maidens, to whom shall haps befall Like day, in measure join ye all Singing, O Hymenæus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenæus. 40
9.
That with more will-full will a-hearing The call to office due, he would Turn footsteps hither, here appearing, Guide to good Venus, and the good Lover conjoining strait. 45
10.
What God than other Godheads more Must love-sick wights for aid implore? Whose Godhead foremost shall adore Mankind? O Hymenæus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenæus. 50
11.
Thee for his own the trembling sire Invokes, thee Virgins ever sue Who laps of zone to loose aspire, And thee the bashful bridegrooms woo With ears that long to hear. 55
12.
Thou to the hand of love-fierce swain Deliverest maiden fair and fain, From mother's fondling bosom ta'en Perforce, O Hymenæus Hymen O Hymen Hymenæus. 60
13.
Thou lacking, Venus ne'er avails-- While Fame approves for honesty-- Love-joys to lavish: ne'er she fails Thou willing:--with such Deity Whoe'er shall dare compare? 65
14.
Thou wanting, never son and heir The Hearth can bear, nor parents be By issue girt, yet can it bear, Thou willing:--with such Deity, Whoe'er shall dare compare? 70
15.
An lack a land thy sacring rite, The perfect rule we ne'er shall see Reach Earth's far bourne; yet such we sight, Thou willing:--with such Deity Whoe'er shall dare compare? 75
16.
Your folds ye gateways wide-ope swing! The maiden comes. Seest not the sheen Of links their splendent tresses fling? Let shame retard the modest mien. * * * *
17.
* * * * * * * * * * * * Who more she hears us weeps the more, 80 That needs she must advance. 81
18.
Cease raining tear-drops! not for thee, (86) Aurunculeia, risk we deem, That fairer femininety Clear day outdawned from Ocean stream 85 Shall ever more behold. (90)
19.
Such in the many-tinted bower Of rich man's garden passing gay Upstands the hyacinthine flower. But thou delayest, wanes the day: 90 _Prithee, come forth new Bride._
20.
Prithee, come forth new Bride! methinks, Drawing in sight, the talk we hold Thou haply hearest. See the Links! How shake their locks begilt with gold: 95 Prithee, new Bride come forth.
21.
Not lightly given thy mate to ill Joys and adulterous delights Foul fleshly pleasures seeking still Shall ever choose he lie o' nights 100 Far from thy tender paps.
22.
But as with pliant shoots the vine Round nearest tree-trunk winds her way, He shall be ever twined in thine Embraces:--yet, lo! wanes the day: 105 Prithee, come forth new Bride!
23.
Couchlet which to me and all * * * * * * * * * * * * 110 With bright white bedstead foot.
24.
What joys the lord of thee betide! What love-liesse on vaguing way O' nights! What sweets in morning tide For thee be stored! Yet wanes the day: 115 Prithee, come forth fresh Bride!
25.
Your lighted links, O boys, wave high: I see the flamey veil draw nigh: Hie, sing in merry mode and cry "O Hymen Hymenæus io, 120 O Hymen Hymenæus!"
26.
Lest longer mute tongue stays that joys In festal jest, from Fescennine, Nor yet denay their nuts to boys, He-Concubine! who learns in fine 125 His lordling's love is fled.
27.
Throw nuts to boys thou idle all He-Concubine! wast fain full long With nuts to play: now pleased as thrall Be thou to swell Talasios' throng: 130 He-Concubine throw nuts.
28.
Wont thou at peasant-girls to jape He-whore! Thy Lord's delight the while: Now shall hair-curling chattel scrape Thy cheeks: poor wretch, ah! poor and vile:-- 135 He-Concubine, throw nuts.
29.
'Tis said from smooth-faced ingle train (Anointed bridegroom!) hardly fain Hast e'er refrained; now do refrain! O Hymen Hymenæus io, 140 O Hymen Hymenæus!
30.
We know that naught save licit rites Be known to thee, but wedded wights No more deem lawful such delights. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 145 O Hymen Hymenæus.
31.
Thou too, O Bride, whatever dare Thy groom, of coy rebuff beware, Lest he to find elsewhither fare. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 150 O Hymen Hymenæus.
32.
Lo! here the house of high degree Thy husband's puissant home to be, Which ever shall obey thy gree. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 155 O Hymen Hymenæus!
33.
Till Time betide when eld the hoar Thy head and temples trembling o'er Make nod to all things evermore. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 160 O Hymen Hymenæus.
34.
O'erstep with omen meetest meet The threshold-stone thy golden feet Up, past the polisht panels fleet. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 165 O Hymen Hymenæus.
35.
Within bestrewn thy bridegroom see On couch of Tyrian cramoisy All imminent awaiting thee. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 170 O Hymen Hymenæus.
36.
For in his breast not less than thine Burn high the flames that deepest shrine, Yet his the lowe far deeper lien. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 175 O Hymen Hymenæus.
37.
Let fall the maid's soft arms, thou fair Boy purple-hem'd: now be thy care Her bridegroom's couch she seek and share. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 180 O Hymen Hymenæus.
38.
Ye wives time-tried to husbands wed, Well-known for chastity inbred, Dispose the virginette a-bed. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 185 O Hymen Hymenæus.
39.
Groom, now 'tis meet thou hither pace, With bride in genial bed to blend, For sheenly shines her flowery face Where the white chamomiles contend 190 With poppies blushing red.
40.
Yet bridegroom (So may Godhead deign Help me!) nowise in humbler way Art fair, nor Venus shall disdain Thy charms, but look! how wanes the day: 195 Forward, nor loiter more!
41.
No longer loitering makest thou, Now comest thou. May Venus good Aid thee when frankly takest thou Thy wishes won, nor true Love woo'd 200 Thou carest to conceal.
42.
Of Afric's wolds and wilds each grain, Or constellations glistening, First reckon he that of the twain To count alone were fain to bring 205 The many thousand joys.
43.
Play as ye please: soon prove ye deft At babying babes,--'twere ill design'd A name thus ancient should be left Heirless, but issue like of kind 210 Engendered aye should be.
44.
A wee Torquátus fain I'd see Encradled on his mother's breast Put forth his tender puds while he Smiles to his sire with sweetest gest 215 And liplets half apart.
45.
Let son like father's semblance show (Manlius!) so with easy guess All know him where his sire they know, And still his face and form express 220 His mother's honest love.
46.
Approve shall fair approof his birth From mother's seed-stock generous, As rarest fame of mother's worth Unique exalts Telemachus 225 Penelope's own son.
47.
Fast close the door-leaves, virgin band: Enow we've played. But ye the fair New-wedded twain live happy, and Functions of lusty married pair 230 Exercise sans surcease.
O Fosterer of the Helicon Hill, sprung from Urania, who beareth the gentle virgin to her mate, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Twine round thy temples sweet-smelling flowerets of marjoram; put on thy gold-tinted veil; light-hearted, hither, hither haste, bearing on snowy foot the golden-yellow sandal:
And a-fire with the joyous day, chanting wedding melodies with ringing voice, strike the ground with thy feet, with thine hand swing aloft the pine-link.
For Vinia--fair as Idalian Venus, when stood before the Phrygian judge--a virgin fair, weds Manlius 'midst happy auspices.
She, bright-shining as the Asian myrtle florid in branchlets, which the Hamadryads nurture for their pleasure with besprinkled dew.
Wherefore, hither! leaving the Aonian grot in the Thespian Rock, o'er which flows the chilling stream of Aganippe.
And summon homewards the mistress, eager for her new yoke, firm-prisoning her soul in love; as tight-clasping ivy, wandering hither, thither, enwraps the tree around.
And also ye, upright virgins, for whom a like day is nearing, chant ye in cadence, singing "O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!"
That more freely, hearing himself to his duty called, will he bear hither his presence, Lord of true Venus, uniter of true lovers.
What god is worthier of solicitation by anxious amourists? Whom of the celestials do men worship more greatly? O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Thee for his young the trembling father beseeches, for thee virgins unclasp the zone from their breasts, for thee the fear-full bridegroom harkeneth with eager ear.
Thou bearest to the youngster's arms that flower-like damsel, taken from her mother's bosom, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Nor lacking thee may Venus take her will with fair Fame's approbation; but she may, with thy sanction. With such a God who dares compare?
Lacking thee, no house can yield heirs, nor parent be surrounded by offspring; but they may, with thy sanction. With such a God who dares compare?
Nor lacking thy rites may our land be protected e'en to its boundaries; but it may, with thy sanction. With such a God who dares compare?
Gates open wide: the virgin is here. See how the torch-flakes shake their gleaming locks? Let shame retard the modest:
* * * *
Yet hearing, greater does she weep, that she must onwards go.
Cease thy tears. For thee there is no peril, Aurunculeia, that any woman more beauteous from Ocean springing shall ever see the light of day.
Thou art like the hyacinthine flower, wont to stand aloft 'midst varied riches of its lordling's garden. But thou delayest, day slips by: advance, new mated one.
Advance, new mated, now in sight, and listen to our speech. Note how the torch-flakes shake their glittering tresses: advance, new mated one.
Nor given to ill adulteries, nor seeking lawless shames, shall thy husband ever wish to lie away from thy soft breasts,
But as the lithe vine amongst neighbouring trees doth cling, so shall he be enclasped in thine encircled arms. But day slips by: advance, new mated one.
O nuptial couch * * * * with feet of ivory white.
What joys are coming to thy lord, in gloom o' night, in noon of day. Let him rejoice! but day slips by: advance, new mated one.
High raise, O boys, the torches: I see the gleaming veil approach. Come, chant in cadence, "O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus."
Nor longer silent is lewd Fescinnine jest, nor to the boys the nuts deny, ingle, hearing thy master's love has flown.
Give nuts to the boys, O listless ingle; enough of days thou hast played with nuts: now 'tis meet to serve Talassius. O ingle, give the nuts!
The country lasses slighted were by thee, O ingle, till to-day: now the bride's tiresman shaves thy face. Wretched, wretched ingle, give the nuts.