Social Commentaries
Carmen CXVI (Burton)
Translated by Sir Richard F. Burton (1894) · From The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus (1894)
Seeking often in mind with spirit eager of study
How I could send thee songs chaunted of Battiadés,
So thou be softened to us, nor any attempting thou venture
Shot of thy hostile shaft piercing me high as its head,--
Now do I ken this toil with vainest purpose was taken,
(Gellius!) nor herein aught have our prayers availèd.
Therefore we'll parry with cloak what shafts thou shootest against us;
And by our bolts transfixt, penalty due thou shalt pay.
Cite this poem
MLA
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “Carmen CXVI (Burton).” Translated by Sir Richard F. Burton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/335/.
Chicago
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “Carmen CXVI (Burton).” Translated by Sir Richard F. Burton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/335/.
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