Love
CVII: If to delight man's wish, joy e'er unlook'd for, unhop'd for
Translated by Robinson Ellis (1871) · From The Poems and Fragments of Catullus (1871)
If to delight man's wish, joy e'er unlook'd for, unhop'd for,
Falleth, a joy were such proper, a bliss to the soul.
Then 'tis a joy to the soul, like gold of Lydia precious,
Lesbia mine, that thou com'st to delight me again.
Com'st yet again long-hop'd, long-look'd for vainly, returnest
Freely to me. O day white with a luckier hue!
Lives there happier any than I, I only? a fairer
Destiny? Life so sweet know ye, or aught parallel?
Cite this poem
MLA
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “CVII: If to delight man's wish, joy e'er unlook'd for, unhop'd for.” Translated by Robinson Ellis. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/99/.
Chicago
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “CVII: If to delight man's wish, joy e'er unlook'd for, unhop'd for.” Translated by Robinson Ellis. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/99/.
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