Gaius Valerius Catullus
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 48
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ... doubt, the unmarried may blame you; but their complaints are all feigned. What of thcir complaint, if they pull to pieces one whose aid they really desire all the time?' Quid tum, si carpunt, tacita quem mente requirunt? Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee! VIEGINES. Vt flos in septis secretus nascitur hortis, Ignotus pecori, nullo contusus aratro, Quem mulcent aurae, firmat sol, educat imber; Multi illum pueri, multae optauere puellae: Idem cum tenui carptus defloruit ungui, Nulli illum pueri, nullae optauere puellae: Sic uirgo, dum intacta manet, dum cara suis est" Cum castum amisit polluto corpore florem, Nec pueris iucunda manet, nec cara puellis. Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee! IVVENES. Vt uidua in nudo uitis quae nascitur aruo, Nunquam se extollit, nunquam mitem educat uuam, (50) Sed tenerum prono deflectens pondere corpus, 60 lam iam contingit summum radice flagellum, Hanc nulli agricolae, nulli coluere iuuenci: At si forte eadem est ulmo coniuncta marito, Multi illam agricolae, multi accoluere iuuenci: (55) Sic uirgo dum intacta manet, dum inculta senescit; 65 Cum par conubium maturo tempore adepta est, Cara uiro magis et minus est inuisa parenti. 54. Sic uirgo. Is, of course, the apodosis--'Even so is a virgin.' This beautiful passage has been often copied. Mr. Theodore Martin cites Ariosto, canto i., 42, and Spenser, 'Faery Queene, ' book ii., canto 12, as passages specially worthy of remark. 58. Uidua. The vine is 'widowed' while it has no 'arbor' or 'supporter.' Cf. Hor. Odes, iv., 5, 30 and Quintil., viii. 3--' Steril em platanum tonsasque myrtos quam maritam ulmum et uberes oleas praeoptaverim?' Nudo. 'Bare' of trees to support it. 60. Sed. 'But bending earthwards its tender frame, and stooping under its...