The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus Part 13

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 pet.i.tum 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 c.u.m 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 ma.n.u.s 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 Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus. 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 blessed omens blest, The maid is here to wed. 20

5.

A maiden s.h.i.+ning 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 Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus. 40

9.

That with more will-full will a-hearing The call to office due, he would Turn footsteps. .h.i.ther, here appearing, Guide to good Venus, and the good Lover conjoining strait. 45

10.

What G.o.d than other G.o.dheads more Must love-sick wights for aid implore?

Whose G.o.dhead foremost shall adore Mankind? O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus. 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.