The Poems and Fragments of Catullus Part 14

Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny, spindles. 365

Scarcely the war-worn Greeks shall win such favour of heaven, Neptune's bonds of stone from Dardan city to loosen, Dankly that high-heav'd grave shall gory Polyxena crimson.

She as a lamb falls smitten a twin-edg'd falchion under, Boweth on earth weak knees, her limbs down flingeth unheeding. 370 Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny, spindles.

Up then, fair paramours, in fond love happily mingle.

Now in blessed treaty the bridegroom welcome a G.o.ddess; Now give a bride long-veil'd to her husband's pa.s.sionate yearning.

Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny, spindles. 375

Her when duly the nurse with day-light early revisits, Necklace of yester-night--she shall not clasp it about her.

Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny, spindles.

Nor shall a mother fond, o'er brawls unlovely dishearten'd, Lay her alone, or cease the delight of children awaiting. 380 Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny, spindles.

In such prelude old, such good-night ditty to Peleus, Sang their deep divination, ineffable, holy, the Parcae.

Such as in ages past, upon houses G.o.dly descending, Houses of heroes came, in mortal company present, 385 G.o.ds high-throned in heaven, while yet was wors.h.i.+p in honour.

Often a sovran Jove, in his own bright temple appearing, Yearly, whene'er his day did rites ceremonial usher, Gazed on an hundred slain, on strong bulls heavily falling.

Often on high Parna.s.sus a roving Liber in hurried 390 Frenzy the Thyiads drave, their locks blown loosely, before him.

While all Delphi's city in eager jealousy trooping, Blithely receiv'd their G.o.d on fuming festival altars.

Mavors often amidst encounter mortal of armies, Streaming Triton's queen, or maid Ramnusian awful, 395 Stood in body before them, a fainting host to deliver.

Only when heinous sin earth's wholesome purity blasted, When from covetous hearts fled justice sadly retreating, Then did a brother his hands dye deep in blood of a brother, Lightly the son forgat his parents' piteous ashes. 400 Lightly the son's young grave his father pray'd for, an unwed Maiden, a step-dame fair in freer luxury clasping.

Then did mother unholy to son that knew not abase her, Shamefully, fear'd not unholy the blessed dead to dishonour.

Human, inhuman alike, in wayward infamy blending, 405 Turned far from us away that righteous counsel of heaven.

Therefore proudly the G.o.ds such sinful company view not, Bear not day-light clear upon immortality breathing.

LXV.

Though, outworn with sorrow, with hours of torturous anguish, Ortalus, I no more tarry the Muses among; Though from a fancy deprest fair blooms of poesy budding Rise not at all; such grief rocks me, uneasily stirr'd:

Coldly but even now mine own dear brother in ebbing 5 Lethe his ice-wan feet laveth, a shadowy ghost.

He whom Troy's deep bosom, a sh.o.r.e Rhoetean above him, Rudely denies these eyes, heavily crushes in earth.

Ah! no more to address thee, or hear thy kindly replying, Brother! O e'en than life round me delightfuller yet, 10 Ne'er to behold thee again! Still love shall fail not alone in Fancy to muse death's dark elegy, closely to weep.

Closely as under boughs of dimmest shadow the pensive Daulian ever moans Itys in agony slain.

Yet mid such desolation a verse I tender of ancient 15 Battiades, new-drest, Ortalus, wholly for you.

Lest to the roving winds these words all idly deliver'd, Seem too soon from a frail memory fallen away.

E'en as a furtive gift, sent, some love-apple, a-wooing, Leaps from breast of a coy maiden, a canopy pure; 20 There forgotten alas, mid vestments silky reposing,-- Soon as a mother's step starts her, it hurleth adown: Straight to the ground, dash'd forth ungently, the gift shoots headlong; She in tell-tale cheeks glows a disorderly shame.

LXVI.

He whose glance scann'd clearly the lights uncounted of ether, Found when arises a star, sinks in his haven again, How yon eclipsed sun glares luminous obscuration, How in seasons due vanishes...o...b..upon orb; How 'neath Latmian heights fair Trivia stealthily banish'd 5 Falls, from her upward path lured by a lover awhile; That same sage, that Conon, a lock of great Berenice Saw me, in heavenly-bright deification afar l.u.s.trous, a gleaming glory; to G.o.ds full many devoted, Whiles she her arms in prayer lifted, as ivory smooth; 10 In that glorious hour when, flush'd with a new hymeneal, Hotly the King to deface outer a.s.syria sped, Bearing ensigns sweet of that soft struggle a night brings, When from a virgin's arms spoils he had happily won.

Stands it an edict true that brides hate Venus? or ever 15 Falsely the parents' joy dashes a showery tear, When to the nuptial door they come in rainy beteeming?

Now to the G.o.ds I swear, tears be hypocrisy then.

So mine own queen taught me in all her weary lamentings, Whiles her bridegroom bold set to the battle a face. 20 What? for an husband lost thou weptst not gloomily lying?

Rather a brother dear, forced for a while to depart?

This, when love's sharp grief was gnawing inly to waste thee!

Ah poor wife! whose soul steep'd in unhappiness all, Fell from reason away, nor abode thy senses! A n.o.bler 25 Spirit had I erewhile known thee, a fiery child.

Pa.s.s'd that deed forgotten, a royal wooer had earn'd thee?

Deed that braver none ventureth ever again?

Yet what sorrow to lose thy lord, what murmur of anguis.h.!.+

Jove, how rain'd those tears brush'd from a pa.s.sionate eye! 30 Who is this could wean thee, a G.o.d so mighty, to falter?

May not a lover live from the beloved afar?

Then for a spouse so goodly, before each spirit of heaven, Me thou vowd'st, with slain oxen, a vast hecatomb, Home if again he alighted. Awhile and Asia crouching 35 Humbly to Egypt's realm added a boundary new; I, in starry return to the ranks dedicated of heaven, Debt of an ancient vow sum in a bounty to-day.

Full of sorrow was I, fair queen, thy brows to abandon, Full of sorrow; in oath answer, adorable head. 40 Evil on him that oath who sweareth falsely soever!

Yet in a strife with steel who can a victory claim?

Steel could a mountain abase, no loftier any thro' heaven's Cupola Thia's child lifteth his axle above, Then, when a new-born sea rose Mede-uplifted; in Athos' 45 Centre his ocean-fleet floated a barbarous host.

What shall a weak tress do, when powers so mighty resist not?

Jove! may Chalybes all perish, a people accurst, Perish who earth's hid veins first labour'd dimly to quarry, Clench'd in a molten ma.s.s iron, a ruffian heart! 50

Scarcely the sister-locks were parted dolefully weeping, Straight that brother of young Memnon, in Africa born, Came, and shook thro' heaven his pennons oary, before me, Winged, a queen's proud steed, Locrian Arsinoe.

So flew with me aloft thro' darkening shadow of heaven, 55 There to a G.o.d's pure breast laid me, to Venus's arms.

Him Zephyritis' self had sent to the task, her servant, She from realms of Greece borne to Canopus of yore.

There, that at heav'n's high porch, not one sole crown, Ariadne's, Golden above those brows Ismaros' youth did adore, 60 Starry should hang, set alone; but luminous I might glisten, Vow'd to the G.o.ds, bright spoil won from an aureat head; While to the skies I clomb still ocean-dewy, the G.o.ddess 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 G.o.ds' 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 a.s.senting, 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.