The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus Part 14

Thou to the hand of love-fierce swain Deliverest maiden fair and fain, From mother's fondling bosom ta'en Perforce, O Hymenaeus Hymen O Hymen Hymenaeus. 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 r.e.t.a.r.d 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 pa.s.sing 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 Hymenaeus io, 120 O Hymen Hymenaeus!"

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 j.a.pe He-wh.o.r.e! Thy Lord's delight the while: Now shall hair-curling chattel sc.r.a.pe 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 Hymenaeus io, 140 O Hymen Hymenaeus!

30.

We know that naught save licit rites Be known to thee, but wedded wights No more deem lawful such delights.

O Hymen Hymenaeus io, 145 O Hymen Hymenaeus.

31.

Thou too, O Bride, whatever dare Thy groom, of coy rebuff beware, Lest he to find elsewhither fare.

O Hymen Hymenaeus io, 150 O Hymen Hymenaeus.

32.

Lo! here the house of high degree Thy husband's puissant home to be, Which ever shall obey thy gree.

O Hymen Hymenaeus io, 155 O Hymen Hymenaeus!

33.

Till Time betide when eld the h.o.a.r Thy head and temples trembling o'er Make nod to all things evermore.