HKB
Vow'd to the Gods, bright spoil won from an aureat head; While to the skies I clomb still ocean-dewy, the Goddess Placed me amid star-spheres primal, a glory to be.
Close to the Virgin bright, to the Lion sulkily gleaming, 65 Nigh Callisto, a cold child Lycaonian, I Wheel obliquely to set, and guide yon tardy Bootes Where scarce late his car dewy descends to the sea. Yet tho' nightly the Gods' immortal steps be above me, Tho' to the white waves dawn gives me, to Tethys, again; 70 (Maid of Ramnus, a grace I here implore thee, if any Word should offend; so much cannot a terror alarm, I should veil aught true; not tho' with clamorous uproar Rend me the stars; I speak verities hidden at heart): Lightly for all I reck, so more I sorrow to part me 75 Sadly from her I serve, part me forever away. With her, a virgin as yet, I quaff'd no sumptuous essence; With her, a bride, I drain'd many a prodigal oil.
Now, O you whom gladly the marriage cresset uniteth, See to the bridegroom fond yield ye not amorous arms, 80 Throw not back your robes, nor bare your bosom assenting, Save from an onyx stream sweetness, a bounty to me. Yours, in a loyal bed which seek love's privilege, only; Yieldeth her any to bear loathed adultery's yoke, Vile her gifts, and lightly the dust shall drink them unheeding. 85 Not of vile I seek gifts, nor of infamous, I. Rather, O unstain'd brides, may concord tarry for ever With ye at home, may love with ye for ever abide. Thou, fair queen, to the stars if looking haply, to Venus Lights thou kindle on eves festal of high sacrifice, 90 Leave me the lock, thine own, nor blood nor bounty requiring. Rather a largesse fair pay to me, envy me not. Stars dash blindly in one! so might I glitter a royal Tress, let Orion glow next to Aquarius' urn.
LXVII.
CATULLUS.
O to the goodman fair, O welcome alike to the father, Hail, and Jove's kind grace shower his help upon you! Door, that of old, men say, wrought Balbus ready obeisance, Once, when his home, time was, lodged him, a master in years; Door, that again, men say, grudg'd aught but a spiteful obeisance, 5 Soon as a corpse outstretch'd starkly declar'd you a bride. Come, speak truly to me; what shameful rumour avouches Duty of years forsworn, honour in injury lost?
DOOR.
So be the tenant new, Caecilius, happy to own me, I'm not guilty, for all jealousy says it is I. 10 Never a fault was mine, nor man shall whisper it ever; Only, my friend, your mob's noisy "The door is a rogue." Comes to the light some mischief, a deed uncivil arising, Loudly to me shout all, "Door, you are wholly to blame."
CATULLUS.
'Tis not enough so merely to say, so think to decide it. 15 Better, who wills should feel, see it, who wills, to be true.
DOOR.
How then? if here none asks, nor labours any to know it.
CATULLUS.
Nay, I ask it; away scruple; your hearer is I.
DOOR.
First, what rumour avers, they gave her to us a virgin-- They lie on her. A light lady! be sure, not alone 20 Clipp'd her an husband first; weak stalk from a garden, a pointless Falchion, a heart did ne'er fully to courage awake. No; to the son's own bed, 'tis said, that father ascended, Vilely; with act impure stain'd the facinorous house. Whether a blind fierce lust in his heart burnt sinfully flaming, 25 Or that inert that son's vigour, amort to delight, Needed a sturdier arm, that franker quality somewhere, Looser of youth's fast-bound girdle, a virgin as yet.
CATULLUS.
Truly a noble father, a glorious act of affection! Thus in a son's kind sheets lewdly to puddle, his own. 30
DOOR.