T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Acme and Septimius
By Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84c. 54 B.C.)(Translated by Sir Charles Elton, 1814) |
IN Septimius’ lap entwining, | |
While his Acme sank reclining; | |
“If I love thee not,” he cried, | |
“Oh my Acme! oh my bride! | |
Even to perdition love thee, | 5 |
And shall feel thy beauties move me, | |
As the rapid years roll by, | |
Like men, who love distractedly; | |
Then, where Afric sands are spread, | |
Or India’s sun flames overhead, | 10 |
May a lion cross me there, | |
With his green-eyed angry glare.” | |
Love stood listening in delight, | |
And sneezed his auspices on the right. | |
Acme, as her lover said, | 15 |
Lightly bending back her head, | |
And with lips of ruby skimming | |
His tipsy eyes, in pleasure swimming; | |
“Septimillus! darling mine! | |
So may we thus ever twine, | 20 |
Victims vow’d at Cupid’s shrine, | |
As, with still more keen requitals, | |
Thou art felt within my vitals!” | |
Love stood listening in delight, | |
And sneezed his auspice on the right. | 25 |
In the heavenly omen blest, | |
They love, caressing and carest; | |
The poor youth would lightlier prize | |
Syria’s groves than Acme’s eyes; | |
Acme centres in the boy | 30 |
All her longings, all her joy; | |
Who more bless’d has mortals seen? | |
When has a kinder passion been? | |