| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | The Rendezvous | | By Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84–c. 54 B.C.) |
| | (Anonymous translation)
MY Hypsithilla, charming fair, | |
| My life, my soul, ah! hear my prayer: | |
| Thy grateful summons quickly send, | |
| And bless at noon, with joy, thy friend. | |
| And if my fair one will comply, | 5 |
| And not her sighing swain deny, | |
| Take care the door be then unbarr’d, | |
| And let no spy be on the guard. | |
| And thou, the aim of my desire, | |
| Attend at home my amorous fire. | 10 |
| Prepare thy bosom to receive | |
| All that so much love can give: | |
| Prepare to meet repeated joy, | |
| Continued bliss without alloy; | |
| Dissolving still in thy dear arms, | 15 |
| Still raised by thy reviving charms, | |
| To onsets fresh of sprightly pleasure, | |
| Tumultuous joy beyond all measure. | |
| But dally not with my desire, | |
| Nor quash with thy delays my fire. | 20 |
| Bursting with love upon my couch I lie, | |
| Forestalling with desire the distant joy. | | | | |
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