Page:The poems of Gaius Valerius Catullus - Francis Warre Cornish.djvu/143



surpassed the desires of these, when once you were

1 matched with your golden-haired husband.

Not at all or but little worthy to yield to her was

my bright one who came into my bosom; and often

around her flitting hither and thither Cupid shone

white in vest of saffron hue. And though she is not

1 content with Catullus alone, I will bear the faults, for few they are, of my modest mistress, lest we become as tiresome as jealous fools. Juno, too, greatest of the heavenly ones, often keeps down her anger for her husband's fault, as she learns the many amours

1 of all-fickle Jove. Yet since it is not fit that men should be compared with gods * * *

away, then, with the hateful severity of an anxious father. And after all, she did not come for me led by her father's hand into a house fragrant with

14? Assyrian odours, but gave me in the silent night sweet stolen gifts, taken from the very bosom of her husband himself. Wherefore it is enough if to me alone is given that day which she marks with a whiter stone.

This gift — 'twas all I could — set forth in poetry

1 is returned to you, Allius, for many kind offices; no lest this and that day, and another and another should touch your name with corroding rust. To this the gods will add those countless gifts which Themis of old was wont to give to pious men of ancient time. May ye be happy, both you, and with you

1 your dear Life, and the house in which you and I sported, and its mistress, and he who first [ for us, from whom first all those good things had their springing for me. And far before all, she who is dearer to me than myself, my Light, whose life

1 alone makes it sweet to me to live. 120