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The Poems and Fragments of Catullus

Gaius Valerius Catullus (translated by Robinson Ellis) · 1st century BCE primary

passage 24 of 42 · (24/24)

in brief
Ariadne continues pleading for justice from Zeus after Theseus abandons her, listing her isolation on a tenantless island, until her prayers lead to divine retaliation for wrongs.

wild sea did bear, what billows foamy regorged thee? 155 Seething sand, or Scylla the snare, or lonely Charybdis? If for a life's dear joy comes back such only requital?

Hadst not a will with spousal an honour'd wife to receive me? Awed thee a father stern, cross age's churlish avising? Yet to your household thou, your kindred palaces olden, 160 Might'st have led me, to wait, joy-filled, a retainer upon thee, Now in waters clear thy feet like ivory laving, Clothing now thy bed with crimson's gorgeous apparel.

Yet to the brutish winds why moan I longer unheeded, Crazy with an ill wrong? They senseless, voiceless, inhuman 165 Utter'd cry they hear not, in answers hollow reply not. He rides far already, the mid sea's boundary cleaving, Strays no mortal along these weeds stretched lonely about me. Thus to my utmost need chance, spitefuller injury dealing, Grudges an ear, where yet might lamentation have entry. 170

Jove, almighty, supreme, O would that never in early Time on Gnossian earth great Cecrops' navies had harbour'd, Ne'er to that unquell'd bull with a ransom of horror atoning, Moor'd on Crete his cable a shipman's wily dishonour. Never in youth's fair shape such ruthless stratagem hiding 175 He, that vile one, a guest found with us a safe habitation.

Whither flee then afar? what hope, poor lost one, upholds thee? Mountains Idomenean? alas, broad surges of ocean

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topics: equity, mercy, and pardon · judgment, heaven, and hell · justice as a virtue

The Poems and Fragments of Catullus · Gaius Valerius Catullus (translated by Robinson Ellis) · 60–54 BCE