TO DIANA. 34 OUTHS and maidens, we are graced Then, fair youths, and maidens chaste, Thee, Latonia, we adore, Progeny of sovereign Jove, Whom thy beauteous mother bore In the Delian olive grove ; That of hills and forests green, Mistress thou mightst be and queen, Juno thou, Lucina, hight By our dames in childbed throes, Trivia weird, and Luna bright, When thy borrow'd radiance glows! Goddess, who in monthly wake Measurest thy yearly round, Thou with goodly fruits dost make Hail to thee, whatever name Glads thee, and, as heretofore, Bounteously on all who claim Ancus' line thy blessings pour! INVITATION TO CECILIUS. 35 O, paper, bid my poet friend Forsaking for a while New Comum's walls, the Larian lake, Whose fair, pellucid waters break In many a dimpling smile. Some thoughts I long that he should hear Of one that to us both is dear; Then, if he's wise, the way He will devour, e'en though a girl, Ay, though that girl, who has, in sooth, Should his departure try to check For ever since the day, when he To her in secret read: Poor girl, a slow consuming fire Of sweet unsatisfied desire Has on her marrow fed. Thy passion I can well excuse, The Mighty Mother sung. TO RAVIDUS. 40. HAT dire delusion of the brain To rouse my fierce satiric vein, What god invoked in evil hour To risk your life in such a strife, Art bent to be the common talk A wish so modest who would balk? For you my favour would supplant I'll brand you then with scorn shall haunt TO CORNIFICIUS. 38 H, Cornificius, ill at ease Is thy Catullus' breast; Each day, each hour that passes sees And yet no word of comfort, no Kind thought, however slight, Comes from thy hand. Ah, is it so, That you my love requite? One little lay to lull my fears, To give my spirit ease, Ay, though 'twere sadder than the tears Of sad Simonides! |