CARMEN LV.-TO CAMERIUS. Now tell me, Camerius, my friend, if you please Through the Circus, the book-shops, the temple of Jove, And the walk made by Pompey, and every gay maid Though they faced me sedately I questioned, and said "Give me back my Camerius," thus did I cry, "You naughtiest of girls ;" whereat one passing by Showed her fair naked bosom, and "here," did she say, "'Mid such roses your lost friend lies hid all the day;" 'Tis a Hercules' toil with you longer to bear, Far too proud you would be to receive visits there. And tell me the place where you're likely to be, But still if you like, keep your mouth shut with care If but in your confidence I have a share; If I were as swift as that guardian of Crete, Or a Pegasus flying, or Ladas were I, Or with Rhesus's snowy-white horses could vie, Or had I the fleetness of those living things With lightness endowed, and with feet clad with wings, The swiftness of winds yoked together, e'en so CARMEN LVII.-ON MAMURRA AND CÆSAR. Well matched are seen that infamous pair The marks of guilty love; One for his crimes the City sought Lustful alike, in learning too They dabble, one could never view The other neither can excel In vices which both love so well, Rivals of maidens fair! CARMEN LVIII.-TO CALIUS ON LESBIA. My Lesbia, Cœlius, oh my Lesbia fair, Or my own kindred half so dear to me, Now in side alleys and through streets doth rove And all those charms which erst called forth my love, Sells for the Roman populace to view, Remus' descendants, that most high souled crew. CARMEN LIX.-ON RUFA AND RUFULUS. Does Bononian Rufa that wretched old soul The wife of Menenius Rufus cajole? Whom oft when in burial-grounds she would steal CARMEN LX. Was it a lioness on the Libyan hills Or barking Scylla dog-like shaped below That bore thee with a mind so steeled 'gainst ills That thou in all extremity of woe A suppliant voice despisest; oh, thou art CARMEN LXI.—ON THE MARRIAGE OF JULIA AND MANLIUS. O thou who aye thy lofty seat On Helicon's high summit makest, Her husband's passion rudely takest Thy temples with a wreath surround Of marjoram's bloom with odour sweet; Do thou on this blithe day rejoice, In chorus with thy shrill toned voice, And o'er our merriment to shine Shake in thy hands the flaming torch of pine. For now with omen good doth come Arrayed in all her beauty's bloom, Such as great Venus wore when she The queen of high Idalium came, The prize of beauty from her judge to claim. (3) |