CATULLUS 64

PELIACO quondam prognatae vertice pinus
dicuntur liquidas Neptuni nasse per undas
Phasidos ad fluctus et fines Aeetaeos,
cum lecti iuvenes, Argivae robora pubis,
auratam optantes Colchis avertere pellem 5
ausi sunt vada salsa cita decurrere puppi,
caerula verrentes abiegnis aequora palmis.
diva quibus retinens in summis urbibus arces
ipsa levi fecit volitantem flamine currum,
pinea coniungens inflexae texta carinae. 10
illa rudem cursu prima imbuit Amphitriten;
quae simul ac rostro ventosum proscidit aequor
tortaque remigio spumis incanuit unda,
emersere freti candenti e gurgite vultus
aequoreae monstrum Nereides admirantes. 15
illa, atque alia, viderunt luce marinas
mortales oculis nudato corpore Nymphas
nutricum tenus exstantes e gurgite cano.
tum Thetidis Peleus incensus fertur amore,
tum Thetis humanos non despexit hymenaeos, 20
tum Thetidi pater ipse iugandum Pelea sensit.
o nimis optato saeclorum tempore nati
heroes, salvete, deum genus! o bona matrum
progenies, salvete iter <um, salvete, bonarum>
vos ego saepe, meo vos carmine compellabo. 25
teque adeo eximie taedis felicibus aucte,
Thessaliae columen Peleu, cui Iuppiter ipse,
ipse suos divum genitor concessit amores;
tene Thetis tenuit pulcerrima Nereine?
tene suam Tethys concessit ducere neptem, 30
Oceanusque, mari totum qui amplectitur orbem?
quae simul optatae finito tempore luces
advenere, domum conventu tota frequentat
Thessalia, oppletur laetanti regia coetu:
dona ferunt prae se, declarant gaudia vultu.
deseritur Cieros, linquunt Pthiotica Tempe 35
Crannonisque domos ac moenia Larisaea,
Pharsalum coeunt, Pharsalia tecta frequentant.
rura colit nemo, mollescunt colla iuvencis,
non humilis curvis purgatur vinea rastris,
non glebam prono convellit vomere taurus, 40
non falx attenuat frondatorum arboris umbram,
squalida desertis rubigo infertur aratris.
ipsius at sedes, quacumque opulenta recessit
regia, fulgenti splendent auro atque argento.
candet ebur soliis, collucent pocula mensae, 45
tota domus gaudet regali splendida gaza.
pulvinar vero divae geniale locatur
sedibus in mediis, Indo quod dente politum
tincta tegit roseo conchyli purpura fuco.
haec vestis priscis hominum variata figuris 50
heroum mira virtutes indicat arte.
namque fluentisono prospectans litore Diae,
Thesea cedentem celeri cum classe tuetur
indomitos in corde gerens Ariadna furores,
necdum etiam sese quae visit visere credit, 55
utpote fallaci quae tum primum excita somno
desertam in sola miseram se cernat harena.
immemor at iuvenis fugiens pellit vada remis,
irrita ventosae linquens promissa procellae.
quem procul ex alga maestis Minois ocellis, 60
saxea ut effigies bacchantis, prospicit, eheu,
prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis,
non flavo retinens subtilem vertice mitram,
non contecta levi velatum pectus amictu,
non tereti strophio lactentis vincta papillas, 65
omnia quae toto delapsa e corpore passim
ipsius ante pedes fluctus salis alludebant.
sed neque tum mitrae neque tum fluitantis amictus
illa vicem curans toto ex te pectore, Theseu,
toto animo, tota pendebat perdita mente. 70
misera, assiduis quam luctibus externavit
spinosas Erycina serens in pectore curas,
illa tempestate, ferox quo ex tempore Theseus
egressus curvis e litoribus Piraei
attigit iniusti regis Gortynia templa. 75
nam perhibent olim crudeli peste coactam
Androgeoneae poenas exsolvere caedis
electos iuvenes simul et decus innuptarum
Cecropiam solitam esse dapem dare Minotauro.
quis angusta malis cum moenia vexarentur, 80
ipse suum Theseus pro caris corpus Athenis
proicere optavit potius quam talia Cretam
funera Cecropiae nec funera portarentur.
atque ita nave levi nitens ac lenibus auris
magnanimum ad Minoa venit sedesque superbas. 85
hunc simul ac cupido conspexit lumine virgo
regia, quam suavis exspirans castus odores
lectulus in molli complexu matris alebat,
quales Eurotae praecingunt flumina myrtus
aurave distinctos educit verna colores, 90
non prius ex illo flagrantia declinavit
lumina, quam cuncto concepit corpore flammam
funditus atque imis exarsit tota medullis.
heu misere exagitans immiti corde furores
sancte puer, curis hominum qui gaudia misces, 95
quaeque regis Golgos quaeque Idalium frondosum,
qualibus incensam iactastis mente puellam
fluctibus, in flavo saepe hospite suspirantem!
quantos illa tulit languenti corde timores!
quanto saepe magis fulgore expalluit auri, 100
cum saevum cupiens contra contendere monstrum
aut mortem appeteret Theseus aut praemia laudis!
non ingrata tamen frustra munuscula divis
promittens tacito succepit vota labello.
nam velut in summo quatientem brachia Tauro 105
quercum aut conigeram sudanti cortice pinum
indomitus turbo contorquens flamine robur,
eruit (illa procul radicitus exturbata
prona cadit, late quaevis cumque obvia frangens,)
sic domito saevum prostravit corpore Theseus 110
nequiquam vanis iactantem cornua ventis.
inde pedem sospes multa cum laude reflexit
errabunda regens tenui vestigia filo,
ne labyrintheis e flexibus egredientem
tecti frustraretur inobservabilis error. 115
sed quid ego a primo digressus carmine plura
commemorem, ut linquens genitoris filia vultum,
ut consanguineae complexum, ut denique matris,
quae misera in gnata deperdita laeta
omnibus his Thesei dulcem praeoptarit amorem: 120
aut ut vecta rati spumosa ad litora Diae
<venerit> aut ut eam devinctam lumina somno
liquerit immemori discedens pectore coniunx?
saepe illam perhibent ardenti corde furentem
clarisonas imo fudisse e pectore voces, 125
ac tum praeruptos tristem conscendere montes,
unde aciem <in> pelagi vastos protenderet aestus,
tum tremuli salis adversas procurrere in undas
mollia nudatae tollentem tegmina surae,
atque haec extremis maestam dixisse querellis, 130
frigidulos udo singultus ore cientem:
'sicine me patriis avectam, perfide, ab aris
perfide, deserto liquisti in litore, Theseu?
sicine discedens neglecto numine divum,
immemor a! devota domum periuria portas? 135
nullane res potuit crudelis flectere mentis
consilium? tibi nulla fuit clementia praesto,
immite ut nostri vellet miserescere pectus?
at non haec quondam blanda promissa dedisti
voce mihi, non haec miserae sperare iubebas, 140
sed conubia laeta, sed optatos hymenaeos,
quae cuncta aerii discerpunt irrita venti.
nunc iam nulla viro iuranti femina credat,
nulla viri speret sermones esse fideles;
quis dum aliquid cupiens animus praegestit apisci, 145
nil metuunt iurare, nihil promittere parcunt:
sed simul ac cupidae mentis satiata libido est,
dicta nihil metuere, nihil periuria curant.
certe ego te in medio versantem turbine leti
eripui, et potius germanum amittere crevi, 150
quam tibi fallaci supremo in tempore dessem.
pro quo dilaceranda feris dabor alitibusque
praeda, neque iniacta tumulabor mortua terra.
quaenam te genuit sola sub rupe leaena,
quod mare conceptum spumantibus exspuit undis, 155
quae Syrtis, quae Scylla rapax, quae vasta Carybdis,
talia qui reddis pro dulci praemia vita?
si tibi non cordi fuerant conubia nostra,
saeva quod horrebas prisci praecepta parentis,
attamen in vestras potuisti ducere sedes, 160
quae tibi iucundo famularer serva labore,
candida permulcens liquidis vestigia lymphis,
purpureave tuum consternens veste cubile.
sed quid ego ignaris nequiquam conquerar auris,
externata malo, quae nullis sensibus auctae 165
nec missas audire queunt nec reddere voces?
ille autem prope iam mediis versatur in undis,
nec quisquam apparet vacua mortalis in alga.
sic nimis insultans extremo tempore saeva
fors etiam nostris invidit questibus auris. 170
Iuppiter omnipotens, utinam ne tempore primo
Gnosia Cecropiae tetigissent litora puppes,
indomito nec dira ferens stipendia tauro
perfidus in Cretam religasset navita funem,
nec malus hic celans dulci crudelia forma 175
consilia in nostris requiesset sedibus hospes!
nam quo me referam? quali spe perdita nitor?
Idaeosne petam montes? at gurgite lato
discernens ponti truculentum dividit aequor.
an patris auxilium sperem? quemne ipsa reliqui 180
respersum iuvenem fraterna caede secuta?
coniugis an fido consoler memet amore?
quine fugit lentos incurvans gurgite remos?
praeterea nullo colitur sola insula tecto,
nec patet egressus pelagi cingentibus undis. 185
nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: omnia muta,
omnia sunt deserta, ostentant omnia letum.
non tamen ante mihi languescent lumina morte,
nec prius a fesso secedent corpore sensus,
quam iustam a divis exposcam prodita multam 190
caelestumque fidem postrema comprecer hora.
quare facta virum multantes vindice poena
Eumenides, quibus anguino redimita capillo
frons exspirantis praeportat pectoris iras,
huc huc adventate, meas audite querellas, 195
quas ego, vae misera, extremis proferre medullis
cogor inops, ardens, amenti caeca furore.
quae quoniam verae nascuntur pectore ab imo,
vos nolite pati nostrum vanescere luctum,
sed quali solam Theseus me mente reliquit, 200
tali mente, deae, funestet seque suosque.'
 
 
 
 

of Mt. Pelion in Thessalybornpine-tree Neptune = the sea na(vi)sse, from nare, to swima river in Colchis(gen.)wave, flood(4th)of Aeetes, king of Colchisof Argos pubes, pubis, youth Colchianskin, hidebrinyswiftto run down or overstern(of a ship)to sweepof fir-woodpalma, hand, palm of the handet eis(dat.)volitare, to fly aroundbreathcar = navemof pinejoining togetherinflectere, to curvekeel(of a ship) to wet for the first time, give someone a first experience inone of the Nereidset illa(navis/currus)beak or prow (of a ship)windyproscindere, to plough or break upflowing, liquidwavestrength (3rd, n.)aurare, to gild, make goldenvadum, a shallow, shoal, waterssky-bluesea (3rd, n.)divinewild, inexperienced, unskilledtwistedrowing, oarsspuma, foamincanescere, to become whiteemergere, to raise upfretum, strait or seacandere, to shinegurges, gurgitis, whirlpoolof the seaportent or prodigyNereids (sing. Nereis)admirari, to wonder atof the seanudare, to bareNymphnutrix, nutricis, nurse or breastas far as (with gen.)exstare, to protrude or stand outwhiteThetis, Thetidis, one of the Nereidsgen. Peleos/Pelei, voc. Peleu, one of the Argonautsdespicere, to down onmarriage-songsiugare, to yoke or marryone of the Argonautssaec(u)lum, age or erahero, hero (3rd)hail!de(or)umlineage or racecompellare, to incite or urgeeximius, outstandingmarriage-torches(1st)of Thessaly(in N.E. Greece)pillarvoc. Peleu, one of the Argonautsdiv(or)umfatherpulc(h)er, beautiful= Nereisancestor of Nereidsneptis: granddaughterancestor of Nereidsamplecti, to embrace (3rd)finire, to finishadvenire, to arrivethrong (4th)frequentare, to crowdopplere, to filllaetari, to rejoicepalacecrowd (4th)in front of (prep. w/ abl.)declarare, to make painCieros, an old town in Thessaly (nom.)= relinquuntthe valley of Tempe, associated here with the region of Phthiathe valley of Tempe(gen) Cranno, chief town in central Thessalyof Larissa, chief town in central ThessalyPharsalus, town in central Thessalycoire, to gather, meetof Pharsalusmollescere, to become softcollum, neckiuvencus, young bulllow-lying, humblecurvus, curvedpurgare, to clear awayvineyardrastrum, hoeland, soillying flatconvellere, to tear away, cleaveplowshare (3rd)bullsickle, pruning-knifeattenuare, to thin outfrondator, pruner (3rd)shadedirty, scalyrustaratrum, plow(parte), in whatever directionfulgens, gleamingsplendere, to shinesilverivory(dat.) solium, thronecollucere, to shine brightlypoculum, drinking-cuptable(dat.)royal(abl.)resplendenttreasure(abl.)cushioned couchnuptialIndus dens, Indian tooth = ivoryIndus dens, Indian tooth = ivorypolire, to polishtinged, coloredrose-redmollusk used for dyepurple clothdye= vetusvariare, to variegatefigura, figure, formwave-resoundingprospectare, to look forthDia, island in the Aegena Sea identified with Naxos(acc.) Theseus, hero of Athenian legenduntamedcor, heartAriadne, daughter of Minos, king of Creteand not yetto look atutpote quae: no wonder, since she (makes rel. cl. causal)utpote quae: no wonder, since she (makes rel. cl. causal)arousedsandunmindfulremus, oarundecided, of no effectwindy= relinquensstormseaweedsaddaughter of Minos= parvus oculusrocky, made of rockstatue (5th)(gen). maenad or female worshipper of Dionysus/Bacchusprospicere, to look out overalasfluctuare, to wavertawny-blondfine(-woven)vertex, peak, headcap (oriental)= tectaveiledouter garment (4th)teres, teretis, smoothstrophium, breast-bandlactens, milk-givingvincire, to bindbreastsdelabi, to slip downon all sideswave (4th)sal, salt, seaalludere, to play againstfluitans, flowinglot, fate, conditionpendere, to hangassiduus, unrelenting, continualluctus, grief (4th)ex(s)ternare, to terrifythornyVenus(associated with Eryx in Sicily)serere, to sow or plantfierce, wild(gen) Piraeus, the harbor for Athensiniustus, unjust, cruelof Gortyn or Creteperhibere, to assertonceplague, curse(adj.) of Androgeon, son of Minosto pay (a penalty)eligere, to chooseunmarried girls= Athenas = Atticambanquetthe Minotaur, offspring of Pasiphae, wife of King Minos= quibusnarrowvexare, to troubleAthenae, f.pl., Athens= pro-iacereportare, to carryniti, to lean on, make one's wayaura, breezehigh-minded, high-spirited(acc.s.)Minos, King of Cretecupidus, desirous(acc.pl.) sweetbreathing forthchaste, unviolatedalere, to nourishdear little bedembrace(gen.) river in Laconia, on which Sparta standspraecingere, to encircle, enclose(nom.pl.) myrtleseparate, distinct, marked(adj) of springblazingdeclinare, to turn downconcipere, to take up, take infrom the bottom, totallyinmost exardescere (cf. ardere) to catch fire medulla, marrow, heartdisturbing, vexingungentle, harshholy; sanctus puer = CupidoGolgi/Golgoe, m.pl., town in Cyprustown in Cyprusleafy= iactavistisblondesighinglanguens, faintingglowexpallescere, to grow palemonsterappetere, to seek= non grata(n.pl.) little giftsilent= suscepitvotum, prayerlittle lipquatere, to shakebrac(c)hium, arm, branchTaurus, mountain range in the south of Asia Minoroak-treecone-bearingsudare, to sweat, exudecortex, barkuntamedwhirlwindwrenchingeruere, to root up(adv) by the roots, utterlyexturbare, to disturbbent over, leaningtamed, conqueredprosternere, to throw to the groundin vainemptysafe, unharmedrelectere, to turn backwanderingfilum, threadlabrinthine, intricateflexus(4th), turningfrustrari, to deceive, elude, frustrateuntraceablewanderingcommemorare, to recall, recount, relatehowfatherrelated by blood=nata=filiadeperire, PPP deperditus, to love to distractionto choose one thing over another, preferraft, boatfoamydiscedere, to departragingclear-soundingto climbsea(Greek word)protendere, stretch forthtrembling, tremulousto run forwardcoveringcalf (of the leg)diminutive of frigiduswet, moist=sic + ne, so? thus? in this way?of a father or one's countryto carry awaydevovere, to turn over to the gods of the underworldfalse oath, perjurymildness, clemencyadv., at hand, ready, hereto feel pity, have compassionmarriageaerius/aereus, aerial, pertaining to the airpraegestire, to desire greatly=adipisci=quibus (viris) satiare, to satiate, satisfy passion, desire letum, death =fratrem(Minotaurum) cernere = decernere last desum, deesse dilacerare, to tear apart ales, altis, bird =iniecta tumulare, to entomb, raise a grave-mound quinam, which, I insist? what, I pray gignere, to give birth to rupes, rupis, crag lioness spumare, to foam exspuere, to spit forth a sandbank in the sea, esp. one of two on the African coast a promontory at the entrance of the Sicilian straits grasping, rapacious a whirlpool between Italy and Sicily cor, cordis, heart; cordi esse to be dear to one's heart horrere, to shrink in horror =at tamen pleasant to be a slave stroking, soothing = pedes waters purple consternere, to spread, cover bed