Caius Valerius Catullus, The Carmina

To whom inscribe my dainty tome - just out and with ashen pumice polished? Cornelius, to thee! for thou wert wont to deem my triflings of account, and

ii.

Sparrow, petling of my girl, with which she wantons, which she presses to her bosom, and whose eager peckings is accustomed to incite by stretching fo

iii.

Mourn ye, O ye Loves and Cupids and all men of gracious mind. Dead is the sparrow of my girl, sparrow, sweetling of my girl. Which more than her eyes

iiii.

That pinnace which ye see, my friends, says that it was the speediest of boats, nor any craft the surface skimming but it could gain the lead, whether

Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love, and count all the mumblings of sour age at a penny's fee. Suns set can rise again: we when once our brief lig

vi.

O Flavius, of thy sweetheart to Catullus thou would'st speak, nor could'st thou keep silent, were she not both ill-mannered and ungraceful. In truth t

vii.

Thou askest, how many kisses of thine, Lesbia, may be enough and to spare for me. As the countless Libyan sands which strew the spicy strand of Cyrene

viii.

Unhappy Catullus, cease thy trifling and what thou seest lost know to be lost. Once bright days used to shine on thee when thou wert wont to haste whi

viiii.

Veranius, of all my friends standing in the front, owned I three hundred thousands of them, hast thou come home to thy Penates, thy longing brothers a

Varus drew me off to see his mistress as I was strolling from the Forum: a little whore, as it seemed to me at the first glance, neither inelegant nor

xi.

Furius and Aurelius, comrades of Catullus, whether he penetrate to furthest Ind where the strand is lashed by the far-echoing Eoan surge, or whether '

xii.

Marrucinius Asinius, thou dost use thy left hand in no fair fashion 'midst the jests and wine: thou dost filch away the napkins of the heedless. Dost

xiii.

Thou shalt feast well with me, my Fabullus, in a few days, if the gods favour thee, provided thou dost bear hither with thee a good and great feast, n

Did I not love thee more than mine eyes, O most jocund Calvus, for thy gift I should abhor thee with Vatinian abhorrence. For what have I done or what

xv.

I commend me to thee with my charmer, Aurelius. I come for modest boon that - didst thine heart long for aught, which thou desiredst chaste and untouc

xvi.

I will paedicate and irrumate you, Aurelius the bardache and Furius the cinaede, who judge me from my verses rich in love-liesse, to be their equal in

xvii.

O Colonia, that longest to disport thyself on a long bridge and art prepared for the dance, but that fearest the trembling legs of the bridgelet build

xviii.

This grove I dedicate and consecrate to thee, Priapus, who hast thy home at Lampsacus, and eke thy woodlands, Priapus for thee especially in its citi

xviiii.

This place, youths, and the marshland cot thatched with rushes, osier-twigs and bundles of sedge, I, carved from a dry oak by a rustic axe, now protec

xx.

I, O traveller, shaped with rustic art from a dry poplar, guard this little field which thou seest on the left, and the cottage and small garden of it

xxi.

Aurelius, father of the famished, in ages past in time now present and in future years yet to come, thou art longing to paedicate my love. Nor is't do

xxii.

That Suffenus, Varus, whom thou know'st right well, is a man fair spoken, witty and urbane, and one who makes of verses lengthy store. I think he has

xxiii.

O Furius, who neither slaves, nor coffer, nor bug, nor spider, nor fire hast, but hast both father and step-dame whose teeth can munch up even flints

xxiiii.

O thou who art the floweret of Juventian race, not only of these now living, but of those that were of yore and eke of those that will be in the comin

xxv.

O Thallus the catamite, softer than rabbit's fur, or goose's marrow, or lowmost ear-lobe, limper than the drooping penis of an oldster, in its cobwebb

xxvi.

Furius, our villa not 'gainst the southern breeze is pitted nor the western wind nor cruel Boreas nor sunny east, but sesterces fifteen thousand two h

xxvii.

Boy cupbearer of old Falernian, pour me fiercer cups as bids the laws of Postumia, mistress of the feast, drunker than a drunken grape. But ye, hence,

xxviii.

Piso's Company, a starveling band, with lightweight knapsacks, scantly packed, most dear Veranius thou, and my Fabullus eke, how fortunes it with you?

xxviiii.

Who can witness this, who can brook it, save a whore-monger, a guzzler, and a gamester, that Mamurra should possess what long-haired Gaul and remotest

xxx.

Alfenus, unmemoried and unfaithful to thy comrades true, is there now no pity in thee, O hard of heart, for thine sweet loving friend? Dost thou betra

xxxi.

Sirmio! Eyebabe of Islands and Peninsulas, which Neptune holds whether in limpid lakes or on mighty mains, how gladly and how gladsomely do I resee th

xxxii.

I'll love thee, my sweet Ipsithilla, my delight, my pleasure: an thou bid me come to thee at noontide. And an thou thus biddest, I adjure thee that no

xxxiii.

O, chiefest of pilferers, baths frequenting, Vibennius the father and his pathic son (for with the right hand is the sire more in guilt, and with his

xxxiiii.

We, maids and upright youths, are in Diana's care: upright youths and maids, we sing Diana.

xxxv.

To that sweet poet, my comrade, Caecilius, I bid thee, paper, say: that he hie him here to Verona, quitting New Comum's city-walls and Larius' shore

xxxvi.

Volusius' Annals, merdous paper, fulfil ye a vow for my girl: for she vowed to sacred Venus and to Cupid that if I were reunited to her and I desisted

xxxvii.

Tavern of lust and you its tippling crowd, (at ninth pile sign-post from the Cap-donned Brothers) think ye that ye alone have mentules, that 'tis allo

xxxviii.

'Tis ill, Cornificius, with thy Catullus, 'tis ill, by Hercules, and most untoward and greater, greater ill, each day and hour! And thou, what solace

xxxviiii.

Egnatius, who has milk-white teeth, grins for ever and aye. An he be in court, when counsel excites tears, he grins. An he be at funeral pyre where on

xxxx.

What mind ill set, O sorry Ravidus, doth thrust thee rashly on to my iambics? What god, none advocate of good for thee, doth stir thee to a senseless

xxxxi.

Ametina, out-drainèd maiden, worries me for a whole ten thousand, that damsel with an outspread nose, chère amie of Formianus the wildling. Ye near of

xxxxii.

Hither, all ye hendecasyllables, as many as may be, from every part, all of ye, as many soever as there be! A shameless prostitute deems me fair sport

xxxxiii.

Hail, O maiden with nose not of the tiniest, with foot lacking shape and eyes lacking darkness, with fingers scant of length, and mouth not dry and to

xxxxiiii.

O, Homestead of ours, whether Sabine or Tiburtine (for that thou'rt Tiburtine folk concur, in whose heart 'tis not to wound Catullus but those in who

xxxxv.

Septumius clasping Acme his adored to his bosom, Acme mine, quoth he, if thee I love not to perdition, nor am prepared to love through all the futu

xxxxvi.

Now springtide brings back its mild and tepid airs, now the heaven's fury equinoctial is calmed by Zephyr's benign breath. The Phrygian meadows are le

xxxxvii.

Porcius and Socration, twins in rascality of Piso, scurf and famisht of the earth, you before my Veraniolus and Fabullus has that prepuce-lacking Pria

xxxxviii.

Thine honey-sweet eyes, O Juventius, had I the leave to kiss for aye, for aye I'd kiss e'en to three hundred thousand kisses, nor ever should I reach

xxxxviiii.

Most eloquent of Romulus' descendancy, who are, who have been, O Marcus Tullius, and who shall later be in after time, to thee doth give his greatest

Yestreen, Licinius, in restful day, much mirthful verse we flashed upon my tablets, as became us, men of fancy. Each jotting versicles in turn sported

He to me to be peer to a god doth seem, he, if such were lawful, to o'er-top the gods, who sitting oft a-front of thee doth gaze on thee, and doth lis

lii.

Prithee Catullus, why delay thine death? Nonius the tumour is seated in the curule chair, Vatinius forswears himself for consul's rank: prithee Catull

liii.

I laughed at I know not whom in the crowded court who, when with admirable art Vatinius' crimes my Calvus had set forth, with hands uplifted and admir

Otho's head is paltry past all phrase * * * the uncouth semi-soaped shanks of Nerius, the slender soundless fizzlings of Libo * * * if not all things

lv.

We beg, if maybe 'tis not untoward, thou'lt shew us where may be thine haunt sequestered. Thee did we quest within the Lesser Fields, thee in the Circ

lvi.

O thing ridiculous, Cato, and facetious, and worthy of thine ears and of thy laughter. Laugh, Cato, the more thou lovest Catullus: the thing is ridicu

lvii.

A comely couple of shameless catamites, Mamurra and Caesar, pathics both. Nor needs amaze: they share like stains - this, Urban, the other, Formian -

lviii.

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

lviiii.

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 pi

lx.

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 upo

O Fosterer of the Helicon Hill, sprung from Urania, who beareth the gentle virgin to her mate, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!

Over the vast main borne by swift-sailing ship, Attis, as with hasty hurried foot he reached the Phrygian wood and gained the tree-girt gloomy sanctua

lxiiii.

ON ANOTHER PART OF THE COVERLET.

10.

11.

12.

Pines aforetimes sprung from Pelion peak floated, so 'tis said, through liquid billows of Neptune to the flowing Phasis and the confines Aeetaean, whe

lxv.

Though outspent with care and unceasing grief, I am withdrawn, Ortalus, from the learned Virgins, nor is my soul's mind able to bring forth sweet babe

lxvi.

He who scanned all the lights of the great firmament, who ascertained the rising and the setting of the stars, how the flaming splendour of the swift

That when, opprest by fortune and in grievous case, thou didst send me this epistle o'erwrit with tears, that I might bear up shipwrecked thee tossed

lxviiii.

Be unwilling to wonder wherefore no woman, O Rufus, is wishful to place her tender thigh 'neath thee, not even if thou dost tempt her by the gift of a

lxx.

No one, saith my lady, would she rather wed than myself, not even if Jupiter's self crave her. Thus she saith! but what a woman tells an ardent amouri

lxxi.

If ever anyone was deservedly cursed with an atrocious goat-stench from armpits, or if limping gout did justly gnaw one, 'tis thy rival, who occupies

lxxii.

Once thou didst profess to know but Catullus, Lesbia, nor wouldst hold Jove before me. I loved thee then, not only as a churl his mistress, but as a f

lxxiii.

Cease thou to wish to merit well from anyone in aught, or to think any can become honourable. All are ingrate, naught benign doth avail to aught, but

lxxiiii.

Gellius had heard that his uncle was wont to be wroth, if any spake of or practised love-sportings. That this should not happen to him, he kneaded up

lxxvii.

O Rufus, credited by me as a friend, wrongly and for naught, (wrongly? nay, at an ill and grievous price) hast thou thus stolen upon me, and a-burning

lxxviii.

Gallus has brothers, one of whom has a most charming spouse, the other a charming son. Gallus is a nice fellow! for pandering to their sweet loves, he

lxxviiii.

Lesbius is handsome: why not so? when Lesbia prefers him to thee, Catullus, and to thy whole tribe. Yet this handsome one may sell Catullus and his tr

lxxx.

What shall I say, Gellius, wherefore those lips, erstwhile rosy-red, have become whiter than wintery snow, thou leaving home at morn and when the noon

lxxxi.

Could there be no one in so great a crowd, Juventius, no gallant whom thou couldst fall to admiring, beyond him, the guest of thy hearth from moribund

lxxxii.

Quintius, if thou dost wish Catullus to owe his eyes to thee, or aught, if such may be, dearer than his eyes, be unwilling to snatch from him what is

lxxxiii.

Lesbia in her lord's presence says the utmost ill about me: this gives the greatest pleasure to that ninny. Ass, thou hast no sense! if through forget

lxxxiiii.

Chommodious did Arrius say, whenever he had need to say commodious, and for insidious hinsidious hinsidious Hionian Hocean

lxxxv.

I hate and I love. Wherefore do I so, peradventure thou askest. I know not, but I feel it to be thus and I suffer.

lxxxvi.

Quintia is lovely to many to me she is fair, tall, and shapely. Each of these qualities I grant. But that all these make loveliness I deny: for nothi

lxxxvii.

No woman can say with truth that she has been loved as much as thou, Lesbia, hast been loved by me: no love-troth was ever so greatly observed as in l

lxxvi.

If to recall good deeds erewhiles performed be pleasure to a man, when he knows himself to be of probity, nor has violated sacred faith, nor has abuse

lxxxviii.

What does he, Gellius, who with mother and sister itches and keeps vigils with tunics cast aside? What does he, who suffers not his uncle to be a husb

lxxxviiii.

Gellius is meagre: why not? He who lives with so good a mother, so healthy and so beauteous a sister, and who has such a good uncle, and a world-full

lxxxx.

Let there be born a Magian from the infamous conjoining of Gellius and his mother, and he shall learn the Persian aruspicy. For a Magian from a mother

lxxxxi.

Not for other reason, Gellius, did I hope for thy faith to me in this our unhappy, this our desperate love (because I knew thee well nor thought thee

lxxxxii.

Lesbia forever speaks ill of me nor is ever silent anent me: may I perish if Lesbia do not love me! By what sign? because I am just the same: I malign

lxxxxiii.

I am not over anxious, Caesar, to please thee greatly, nor to know whether thou art white or black man.

lxxxxiiii.

Mentula whores. By the mentule he is bewhored: certes. This is as though they say the oil pot itself gathers the olives.

lxxxxv.

My Cinna's Zmyrna at length, after nine harvests from its inception, is published when nine winters have gone by, whilst in the meantime Hortensius

lxxxxvi.

If aught grateful or acceptable can penetrate the silent graves from our dolour, Calvus, when with sweet regret we renew old loves and beweep the lost

lxxxxvii.

Nay (may the Gods thus love me) have I thought there to be aught of choice whether I might smell thy mouth or thy buttocks, O Aemilius. Nothing could

lxxxxviii.

To thee, if to anyone, may I say, foul-mouthed Victius, that which is said to wind bags and fatuities. For with that tongue, if need arrive, thou coul

lxxxxviiii.

I snatched from thee, whilst thou wast sporting, O honied Juventius, a kiss sweeter than sweet ambrosia. But I bore it off not unpunished for more th

Caelius, Aufilenus and Quintius, Aufilena - flower of the Veronese youth - love desperately: this, the brother that, the sister. This is, as one wo

ci.

Through many a folk and through many waters borne, I am come, brother, to thy sad grave, that I may give the last gifts to the dead, and may vainly sp

cii.

If aught be committed to secret faith from a friend to one whose inner faith of soul is known, thou wilt find me to be of that sacred faith, O Corneli

ciii.

Prithee, either return me my ten thousand sesterces, Silo then be to thy content surly and boorish: or, if the money allure thee, desist I pray thee

ciiii.

Dost deem me capable of speaking ill of my life, she who is dearer to me than are both mine eyes? I could not, nor if I could, would my love be so des

cv.

cvi.

When with a comely lad a crier is seen to be, what may be thought save that he longs to sell himself.

cvii.

If what one desires and covets is ever obtained unhoped for, this is specially grateful to the soul. Wherefore is it grateful to us and far dearer tha

cviii.

If, O Cominius, by the people's vote thy hoary age made filthy by unclean practices shall perish, forsure I doubt not but that first thy tongue, hosti

cviiii.

My joy, my life, thou declarest to me that this love of ours shall last ever between us. Great Gods! grant that she may promise truly, and say this in

cx.

Aufilena, honest harlots are always praised: they accept the price of what they intend to do. Thou didst promise that to me, which, being a feigned pr

cxi.

Aufilena, to be content to live with single mate, in married dame is praise of praises most excelling: but 'tis preferable to lie beneath any lover th

cxii.

A mighty man thou art, Naso, yet is a man not mighty who doth stoop like thee: Naso thou art mighty - and pathic.

cxiii.

In the first consulate of Pompey, two, Cinna, were wont to frequent Mucilla: now again made consul, the two remain, but thousands may be added to each

cxiiii.

With Firmian demesne not falsely is Mentula deemed rich, who has everything in it of such excellence, game preserves of every kind, fish, meadows, ara

cxv.

Mentula has something like thirty acres of meadow land, forty under cultivation: the rest are as the sea. Why might he not o'erpass Croesus in wealth,

cxvi.

Oft with studious mind brought close, enquiring how I might send thee the poems of Battiades for use, that I might soften thee towards us, nor thou co

lxiiii.

Peliaco quondam prognatae vertice pinus

Dicuntur liquidas Neptuni nasse per undas

Phasidos ad fluctus et fines Aeetaeos,

Cum lecti iuvenes, Argivae robora pubis,

Auratam optantes Colchis avertere pellem 5

Ausi sunt vada salsa cita decurrere puppi,

Caerula verrentes abiegnis aequora palmis.

Diva quibus retinens in summis urbibus arces

Ipsa levi fecit volitantem flamine currum,

Pinea coniungens inflexae texta carinae. 10

Illa rudem cursu prima imbuit Amphitriten.

Quae simulac rostro ventosum proscidit aequor,

Tortaque remigio spumis incanduit unda,

Emersere freti canenti e gurgite vultus

Aequoreae monstrum Nereides admirantes. 15

Atque illic alma viderunt luce marinas

Mortales oculi nudato corpore Nymphas

Nutricum tenus extantes e gurgite cano.

Tum Thetidis Peleus incensus fertur amore,

Tum Thetis humanos non despexit hymenaeos, 20

Tum Thetidi pater ipse iugandum Pelea sanxit.

O nimis optato saeclorum tempore nati

Heroes, salvete, deum genus, o bona matrum

Progenies, salvete iterum placidique favete.

Vos ego saepe meo, vos carmine conpellabo,

Teque adeo eximie taedis felicibus aucte 25

Thessaliae columen Peleu, cui Iuppiter ipse,

Ipse suos divom genitor concessit amores.

Tene Thetis tenuit pulcherrima Nereine?

Tene suam Tethys concessit ducere neptem,

Oceanusque, mari totum qui amplectitur orbem? 30

Quoi simul optatae finito tempore luces

Advenere, domum conventu tota frequentat

Thessalia, oppletur laetanti regia coetu:

Dona ferunt prae se, declarant gaudia voltu.

Deseritur Cieros, linquunt Phthiotica tempe, 35

Crannonisque domos ac moenia Larisaea,

Pharsalum coeunt, Pharsalia tecta frequentant.

Rura colit nemo, mollescunt colla iuvencis,

Non humilis curvis purgatur vinea rastris,

Non falx attenuat frondatorum arboris umbram, 41

Non glaebam prono convellit vomere taurus, 40

Squalida desertis rubigo infertur aratris.

Ipsius at sedes, quacumque opulenta recessit

Regia, fulgenti splendent auro atque argento.

Candet ebur soliis, collucent pocula mensae, 45

Tota domus gaudet regali splendida gaza.

Pulvinar vero divae geniale locatur

Sedibus in mediis, Indo quod dente politum

Tincta tegit roseo conchyli purpura fuco.

Haec vestis priscis hominum variata figuris 50

Heroum mira virtutes indicat arte.

Namque fluentisono prospectans litore Diae

Thesea cedentem celeri cum classe tuetur

Indomitos in corde gerens Ariadna furores,

Necdum etiam sese quae visit visere credit, 55

Vt pote fallaci quae tum primum excita somno

Desertam in sola miseram se cernat arena.

Inmemor at iuvenis fugiens pellit vada remis,

Inrita ventosae linquens promissa procellae.

Quem procul ex alga maestis Minois ocellis, 60

Saxea ut effigies bacchantis, prospicit, eheu,

Prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis,

Non flavo retinens subtilem vertice mitram,

Non contecta levi + velatum pectus amictu,

Non tereti strophio lactantes vincta papillas, 65

Omnia quae toto delapsa e corpore passim

Ipsius ante pedes fluctus salis adludebant.

Set neque tum mitrae neque tum fluitantis amictus

Illa vicem curans toto ex te pectore, Theseu,

Toto animo, tota pendebat perdita mente. 70

A misera, adsiduis quam luctibus externavit

Spinosas Erycina serens in pectore curas

Illa tempestate, ferox quom robore Theseus

Egressus curvis e litoribus Piraei

Attigit iniusti regis Gortynia tecta. 75

Nam perhibent olim crudeli peste coactam

Androgeoneae poenas exolvere caedis

Electos iuvenes simul et decus innuptarum

Cecropiam solitam esse dapem dare Minotauro.

Quis angusta malis cum moenia vexarentur, 80

Ipse suom Theseus pro caris corpus Athenis

Proicere optavit potius quam talia Cretam

Funera Cecropiae nec funera portarentur,

Atque ita nave levi nitens ac lenibus auris

Magnanimum ad Minoa venit sedesque superbas. 85

Hunc simulac cupido conspexit lumine virgo

Regia, quam suavis expirans castus odores

Lectulus in molli conplexu matris alebat,

Quales Eurotae progignunt flumina myrtus

Aurave distinctos educit verna colores, 90

Non prius ex illo flagrantia declinavit

Lumina, quam cuncto concepit corpore flammam

Funditus atque imis exarsit tota medullis.

Heu misere exagitans inmiti corde furores

Sancte puer, curis hominum qui gaudia misces, 95

Quaeque regis Golgos quaeque Idalium frondosum,

Qualibus incensam iactastis mente puellam

Fluctibus in flavo saepe hospite suspirantem!

Quantos illa tulit languenti corde timores!

Quam tum saepe magis + fulgore expalluit auri! 100

Cum saevom cupiens contra contendere monstrum

Aut mortem oppeteret Theseus aut praemia laudis.

Non ingrata tamen frustra munuscula divis

Promittens tacito succepit vota labello.

Nam velut in summo quatientem brachia Tauro 105

Quercum aut conigeram sudanti cortice pinum

Indomitum turben contorquens flamine robur

Eruit (illa procul radicitus exturbata

Prona cadit, late quast impetus obvia frangens),

Sic domito saevom prostravit corpore Theseus 110

Nequiquam vanis iactantem cornua ventis.

Inde pedem sospes multa cum laude reflexit

Errabunda regens tenui vestigia filo,

Ne labyrintheis e flexibus egredientem

Tecti frustraretur inobservabilis error. 115

Sed quid ego a primo digressus carmine plura

Conmemorem, ut linquens genitoris filia voltum,

Vt consanguineae conplexum, ut denique matris,

Quae misera in gnata deperdita laetabatur,

Omnibus his Thesei dulcem praeoptarit amorem, 120

Aut ut vecta rati spumosa ad litora Diae

Venerit, aut ut eam devinctam lumina somno

Liquerit inmemori discedens pectore coniunx?

Saepe illam perhibent ardenti corde furentem

Clarisonas imo fudisse e pectore voces, 125

Ac tum praeruptos tristem conscendere montes,

Vnde aciem in pelagi vastos protenderet aestus,

Tum tremuli salis adversas procurrere in undas

Mollia nudatae tollentem tegmina surae,

Atque haec extremis maestam dixisse querellis, 130

Frigidulos udo singultus ore cientem.

'Sicine me patriis avectam, perfide, ab oris,

Perfide, deserto liquisti in litore, Theseu?

Sicine discedens neglecto numine divom

Inmemor a, devota domum periuria portas? 135

Nullane res potuit crudelis flectere mentis

Consilium? tibi nulla fuit clementia praesto,

Inmite ut nostri vellet miserescere pectus?

At non haec quondam nobis promissa dedisti,

Vane: mihi non haec miserae sperare iubebas, 140

Sed conubia laeta, sed optatos hymenaeos:

Quae cuncta aerii discerpunt irrita venti.

Iam iam nulla viro iuranti femina credat,

Nulla viri speret sermones esse fideles;

Quis dum aliquid cupiens animus praegestit apisci, 145

Nil metuunt iurare, nihil promittere parcunt:

Sed simulac cupidae mentis satiata libidost,

Dicta nihil meminere, nihil periuria curant.

Certe ego te in medio versantem turbine leti

Eripui, et potius germanum amittere crevi, 150

Quam tibi fallaci supremo in tempore dessem.

Pro quo dilaceranda feris dabor alitibusque

Praeda, neque iniecta tumulabor mortua terra.

Quaenam te genuit sola sub rupe leaena?

Quod mare conceptum spumantibus expuit undis? 155

Quae Syrtis, quae Scylla rapax, quae vasta Charybdis?

Talia qui reddis pro dulci praemia vita.

Si tibi non cordi fuerant conubia nostra,

Saeva quod horrebas prisci praecepta parentis,

At tamen in vostras potuisti ducere sedes, 160

Quae tibi iocundo famularer serva labore,

Candida permulcens liquidis vestigia lymphis

Purpureave tuum consternens veste cubile.

Sed quid ego ignaris nequiquam conqueror auris,

Externata malo, quae nullis sensibus auctae 165

Nec missas audire queunt nec reddere voces?

Ille autem prope iam mediis versatur in undis,

Nec quisquam adparet vacua mortalis in alga.

Sic nimis insultans extremo tempore saeva

Fors etiam nostris invidit questibus aures. 170

Iuppiter omnipotens, utinam ne tempore primo

Gnosia Cecropiae tetigissent litora puppes,

Indomito nec dira ferens stipendia tauro

Perfidus in Creta religasset navita funem,

Nec malus hic celans dulci crudelia forma 175

Consilia in nostris requiesset sedibus hospes!

Nam quo me referam? quali spe perdita nitar?

Idomeneosne petam montes? a, gurgite lato

Discernens ponti truculentum ubi dividit aequor?

An patris auxilium sperem? quemne ipsa reliqui, 180

Respersum iuvenem fraterna caede secuta?

Coniugis an fido consoler memet amore,

Quine fugit lentos incurvans gurgite remos?

Praeterea nullo litus, sola insula, tecto,

Nec patet egressus pelagi cingentibus undis: 185

Nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: omnia muta,

Omnia sunt deserta, ostentant omnia letum.

Non tamen ante mihi languescent lumina morte,

Nec prius a fesso secedent corpore sensus,

Quam iustam a divis exposcam prodita multam, 190

Caelestumque fidem postrema conprecer hora.

Quare facta virum multantes vindice poena,

Eumenides, quibus anguino redimita capillo

Frons expirantis praeportat pectoris iras,

Huc huc adventate, meas audite querellas, 195

Quas ego vae! misera extremis proferre medullis

Cogor inops, ardens, amenti caeca furore.

Quae quoniam verae nascuntur pectore ab imo,

Vos nolite pati nostrum vanescere luctum,

Sed quali solam Theseus me mente reliquit, 200

Tali mente, deae, funestet seque suosque.'

Has postquam maesto profudit pectore voces,

Supplicium saevis exposcens anxia factis,

Adnuit invicto caelestum numine rector,

Quo motu tellus atque horrida contremuerunt 205

Aequora concussitque micantia sidera mundus.

Ipse autem caeca mentem caligine Theseus

Consitus oblito dimisit pectore cuncta,

Quae mandata prius constanti mente tenebat,

Dulcia nec maesto sustollens signa parenti 210

Sospitem Erechtheum se ostendit visere portum.

Namque ferunt olim, castae cum moenia divae

Linquentem gnatum ventis concrederet Aegeus,

Talia conplexum iuveni mandata dedisse.

'Gnate, mihi longa iocundior unice vita, 215

Reddite in extrema nuper mihi fine senectae, 217

Gnate, ego quem in dubios cogor dimittere casus, 216

Quandoquidem fortuna mea ac tua fervida virtus

Eripit invito mihi te, cui languida nondum

Lumina sunt gnati cara saturata figura: 220

Non ego te gaudens laetanti pectore mittam,

Nec te ferre sinam fortunae signa secundae,

Sed primum multas expromam mente querellas,

Canitiem terra atque infuso pulvere foedans,

Inde infecta vago suspendam lintea malo, 225

Nostros ut luctus nostraeque incendia mentis

Carbasus obscurata decet ferrugine Hibera.

Quod tibi si sancti concesserit incola Itoni,

Quae nostrum genus ac sedes defendere Erechthei

Adnuit, ut tauri respergas sanguine dextram, 230

Tum vero facito ut memori tibi condita corde

Haec vigeant mandata, nec ulla oblitteret aetas,

Vt simulac nostros invisent lumina colles,

Funestam antennae deponant undique vestem,

Candidaque intorti sustollant vela rudentes, 235

Lucida qua splendent summi carchesia mali, 235b

Quam primum cernens ut laeta gaudia mente

Agnoscam, cum te reducem aetas prospera sistet.'

Haec mandata prius constanti mente tenentem

Thesea ceu pulsae ventorum flamine nubes

Aerium nivei montis liquere cacumen. 240

At pater, ut summa prospectum ex arce petebat,

Anxia in adsiduos absumens lumina fletus,

Cum primum infecti conspexit lintea veli,

Praecipitem sese scopulorum e vertice iecit,

Amissum credens inmiti Thesea fato. 245

Sic funesta domus ingressus tecta paterna

Morte ferox Theseus qualem Minoidi luctum

Obtulerat mente inmemori talem ipse recepit.

Quae tamen aspectans cedentem maesta carinam

Multiplices animo volvebat saucia curas. 250

At parte ex alia florens volitabat Iacchus

Cum thiaso Satyrorum et Nysigenis Silenis,

Te quaerens, Ariadna, tuoque incensus amore.

Quae tum alacres passim lymphata mente furebant

Euhoe bacchantes, euhoe capita inflectentes. 255

Harum pars tecta quatiebant cuspide thyrsos,

Pars e divolso iactabant membra iuvenco,

Pars sese tortis serpentibus incingebant,

Pars obscura cavis celebrabant orgia cistis,

Orgia, quae frustra cupiunt audire profani, 260

Plangebant aliae proceris tympana palmis

Aut tereti tenues tinnitus aere ciebant,

Multis raucisonos efflabant cornua bombos

Barbaraque horribili stridebat tibia cantu.

Talibus amplifice vestis decorata figuris 265

Pulvinar conplexa suo velabat amictu.

Quae postquam cupide spectando Thessala pubes

Expletast, sanctis coepit decedere divis.

Hic, qualis flatu placidum mare matutino

Horrificans Zephyrus proclivas incitat undas 270

Aurora exoriente vagi sub limina Solis,

Quae tarde primum clementi flamine pulsae

Procedunt (leni resonant plangore cachinni),

Post vento crescente magis magis increbescunt

Purpureaque procul nantes a luce refulgent, 275

Sic ibi vestibuli linquentes regia tecta

Ad se quisque vago passim pede discedebant.

Quorum post abitum princeps e vertice Pelei

Advenit Chiron portans silvestria dona:

Nam quoscumque ferunt campi, quos Thessala magnis 280

Montibus ora creat, quos propter fluminis undas

Aura parit flores tepidi fecunda Favoni,

Hos indistinctis plexos tulit ipse corollis,

Quo permulsa domus iocundo risit odore.

Confestim Penios adest, viridantia Tempe, 285

Tempe, quae silvae cingunt super inpendentes,

+ Minosim linquens crebris celebranda choreis,

Non vacuos: namque ille tulit radicitus altas

Fagos ac recto proceras stipite laurus,

Non sine nutanti platano lentaque sorore 290

Flammati Phaethontis et aeria cupressu.

Haec circum sedes late contexta locavit,

Vestibulum ut molli velatum fronde vireret.

Post hunc consequitur sollerti corde Prometheus,

Extenuata gerens veteris vestigia poenae, 295

Quam quondam scythicis restrictus membra catena

Persolvit pendens e verticibus praeruptis.

Inde pater divom sancta cum coniuge natisque

Advenit caelo, te solum, Phoebe, relinquens

Vnigenamque simul cultricem montibus Idri: 300

Pelea nam tecum pariter soror aspernatast

Nec Thetidis taedas voluit celebrare iugalis,

Qui postquam niveis flexerunt sedibus artus,

Large multiplici constructae sunt dape mensae,

Cum interea infirmo quatientes corpora motu 305

Veridicos Parcae coeperunt edere cantus.

His corpus tremulum conplectens undique vestis

Candida purpurea talos incinxerat ora,

Annoso niveae residebant vertice vittae,

Aeternumque manus carpebant rite laborem. 310

Laeva colum molli lana retinebat amictum,

Dextera tum leviter deducens fila supinis

Formabat digitis, tum prono in pollice torquens

Libratum tereti versabat turbine fusum,

Atque ita decerpens aequabat semper opus dens, 315

Laneaque aridulis haerebant morsa labellis,

Quae prius in levi fuerant extantia filo:

Ante pedes autem candentis mollia lanae

Vellera virgati custodibant calathisci.

Haec tum clarisona pectentes vellera voce 320

Talia divino fuderunt carmine fata,

Carmine, perfidiae quod post nulla arguet aetas.

O decus eximium magnis virtutibus augens,

Emathiae tutamen opis, clarissime nato,

Accipe, quod laeta tibi pandunt luce sorores, 325

Veridicum oraclum. sed vos, quae fata sequuntur,

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Adveniet tibi iam portans optata maritis

Hesperus, adveniet fausto cum sidere coniunx,

Quae tibi flexanimo mentem perfundat amore 330

Languidulosque paret tecum coniungere somnos,

Levia substernens robusto brachia collo.

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Nulla domus tales umquam conexit amores,

Nullus amor tali coniunxit foedere amantes, 335

Qualis adest Thetidi, qualis concordia Peleo.

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Nascetur vobis expers terroris Achilles,

Hostibus haud tergo, sed forti pectore notus,

Quae persaepe vago victor certamine cursus 340

Flammea praevertet celeris vestigia cervae.

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Non illi quisquam bello se conferet heros,

Cum Phrygii Teucro manabunt sanguine + tenen,

Troicaque obsidens longinquo moenia bello 345

Periuri Pelopis vastabit tertius heres.

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Illius egregias virtutes claraque facta

Saepe fatebuntur gnatorum in funere matres,

Cum in cinerem canos solvent a vertice crines 350

Putridaque infirmis variabunt pectora palmis.

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Namque velut densas praecerpens cultor aristas

Sole sub ardenti flaventia demetit arva,

Troiugenum infesto prosternet corpora ferro. 355

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Testis erit magnis virtutibus unda Scamandri,

Quae passim rapido diffunditur Hellesponto,

Cuius iter caesis angustans corporum acervis

Alta tepefaciet permixta flumina caede. 360

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Denique testis erit morti quoque reddita praeda,

Cum terrae ex celso coacervatum aggere bustum

Excipiet niveos percussae virginis artus.

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi. 365

Nam simul ac fessis dederit fors copiam Achivis

Vrbis Dardaniae Neptunia solvere vincla,

Alta Polyxenia madefient caede sepulcra,

Quae, velut ancipiti succumbens victima ferro,

Proiciet truncum submisso poplite corpus. 370

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Quare agite optatos animi coniungite amores.

Accipiat coniunx felici foedere divam,

Dedatur cupido iandudum nupta marito.

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi. 375

Non illam nutrix orienti luce revisens

Hesterno collum poterit circumdare filo,

[Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi]

Anxia nec mater discordis maesta puellae

Secubitu caros mittet sperare nepotes. 380

Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Talia praefantes quondam felicia Pelei

Carmina divino cecinerunt pectore Parcae.

Praesentes namque ante domos invisere castas

Heroum et sese mortali ostendere coetu 385

Caelicolae nondum spreta pietate solebant.

Saepe pater divom templo in fulgente residens,

Annua cum festis venissent sacra diebus,

Conspexit terra centum procumbere tauros.

Saepe vagus Liber Parnasi vertice summo 390

Thyiadas effusis euhantes crinibus egit.

Cum Delphi tota certatim ex urbe ruentes

Acciperent laeti divom fumantibus aris.

Saepe in letifero belli certamine Mavors

Aut rapidi Tritonis era aut Rhamnusia virgo 395

Armatas hominumst praesens hortata catervas.

Sed postquam tellus scelerest imbuta nefando,

Iustitiamque omnes cupida de mente fugarunt,

Perfudere manus fraterno sanguine fratres,

Destitit extinctos natus lugere parentes, 400

Optavit genitor primaevi funera nati,

Liber ut innuptae poteretur flore novercae,

Ignaro mater substernens se inpia nato

Inpia non veritast divos scelerare penates:

Omnia fanda nefanda malo permixta furore 405

Iustificam nobis mentem avertere deorum.

Quare nec tales dignantur visere coetus,

Nec se contingi patiuntur lumine claro.