Catullus 61 Translation
Classical
Introduction
In poem 61, Catullus** wrote another bridal song**. This poem is written in stanzas of varying length and they end with a refrain to “O Hymen Hymenaeus!” the god of marriage. In line one, Catullus writes about the haunter of the Mount Helicon, who is Hymen, the son of Urania. He “bearest away” the maid to her bridegroom.
In lines six through 15, Catullus talks about how Hymen has a halo of flowers and a marriage veil as well as a yellow shoe on his white foot. The god wakes, sings songs and beats the ground with his feet and shakes a pine torch, too. Then, Catullus talks about why Hymen is so busy: the wedding of Vinia and Manlius. Vinia is as beautiful as Venus. Vinia comes with a good omen, which is good for Manlius. Catullus then talks about how she is like the Asian myrtle and continues with the simile for several lines.
Then, Catullus returns back to Hymen. He tells him to leave his cave and call Vinia to her wedding. He asks Hymen to “bind her heart with love” and uses another plant simile - comparing her love to clinging ivy. Then, in lines 36-40, Catullus returns to the idea of the unwedded virgins and replays the refrain “O Hymenaeus Hymen!” to help the virgins find husbands. Hopefully, Hymen will hear the call and come bless the wedding, and therefore, the marriage since he is the “coupler of honest love” as mentioned in line 45.
Catullus says that Hymen is the only God worthy of being invoked by lovers. Men should worship Hymen more than any other god. When he is invoked, maidens loose their garments and bridegrooms listen fearfully. Catullus boldly says that even Venus cannot rival what Hymen does, as no one can rest unless he is sated.
Carmen 61
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | COLLIS o Heliconii | O haunter of the Heliconian mount, |
| 2 | cultor, Vraniae genus, | Urania’s son, |
| 3 | qui rapis teneram ad uirum | thou who bearest away the tender maid |
| 4 | uirginem, o Hymenaee Hymen, | to her bridegroom, O Hymenaeus Hymen, |
| 5 | o Hymen Hymenaee; | O Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 6 | cinge tempora floribus | Bind thy brows with the flowers |
| 7 | suaue olentis amaraci, | of fragrant marjoram, |
| 8 | flammeum cape laetus, huc | put on the marriage veil, hither, |
| 9 | huc ueni, niueo gerens | hither merrily come, wearing on thy snow-white |
| 10 | luteum pede soccum; | foot the yellow shoe, |
| 11 | excitusque hilari die, | and wakened on this joyful day, |
| 12 | nuptialia concinens | singing with resonant voice |
| 13 | uoce carmina tinnula, | the nuptial songs, |
| 14 | pelle humum pedibus, manu | beat the ground with thy feet, |
| 15 | pineam quate taedam. | shake with thy hand the pine torch. |
| 16 | namque Iunia Manlio, | For now shall Vinia wed with Manlius, |
| 17 | qualis Idalium colens | Vinia as fair as Venus |
| 18 | uenit ad Phrygium Venus | who dwells in Idalium, when she came |
| 19 | iudicem, bona cum bona | to the Phrygian judge; |
| 20 | nubet alite uirgo, | a good maiden with a good omen |
| 21 | floridis uelut enitens | like the Asian myrtle |
| 22 | myrtus Asia ramulis | shining with flowering sprays, |
| 23 | quos Hamadryades deae | which the Hamadryad goddesses |
| 24 | ludicrum sibi roscido | with dewy moisture nourish |
| 25 | nutriunt umore. | as a plaything for themselves. |
| 26 | quare age, huc aditum ferens, | Hither then, come hither, haste |
| 27 | perge linquere Thespiae | to leave the Aonian caves |
| 28 | rupis Aonios specus, | of the Thespian rock, |
| 29 | nympha quos super irrigat | which the nymph Aganippe besprinkles |
| 30 | frigerans Aganippe. | with cooling shower from above; |
| 31 | ac domum dominam uoca | call to her home the lady of the house, |
| 32 | coniugis cupidam noui, | full of desire for her bridegroom; |
| 33 | mentem amore reuinciens, | bind her heart with love, |
| 34 | ut tenax hedera huc et huc | as here and there the clinging ivy |
| 35 | arborem implicat errans. | straying clasps the tree. |
| 36 | uosque item simul, integrae | Ye too with me, unwedded |
| 37 | uirgines, quibus aduenit | virgins, for whom a like day |
| 38 | par dies, agite in modum | is coming, come, in measure |
| 39 | dicite, o Hymenaee Hymen, | say, “O Hymenaeus Hymen, |
| 40 | o Hymen Hymenaee. | O Hymen Hymenaeus!“ |
| 41 | ut libentius, audiens | that hearing himself summoned |
| 42 | se citarier ad suum | to his own office, the god may come |
| 43 | munus, huc aditum ferat | more readily hither, |
| 44 | dux bonae Veneris, boni | the herald of genial Venus, |
| 45 | coniugator amoris. | the coupler of honest love. |
| 46 | quis deus magis est ama- | What god is more worthy to be invoked |
| 47 | tis petendus amantibus? | by lovers who are loved? |
| 48 | quem colent homines magis | whom of the heavenly ones shall men worship |
| 49 | caelitum, o Hymenaee Hymen, | more than thee? O Hymenaeus Hymen, |
| 50 | o Hymen Hymenaee? | O Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 51 | te suis tremulus parens | Thee for his children the aged father |
| 52 | inuocat, tibi uirgines | invokes, for thee the maidens loose |
| 53 | zonula soluunt sinus, | their garments from the girdle: |
| 54 | te timens cupida nouos | for thee the bridegroom listens fearfully |
| 55 | captat aure maritus. | with eager ear. |
| 56 | tu fero iuueni in manus | Thou thyself givest into the hands |
| 57 | floridam ipse puellulam | of the fiery youth the blooming maiden |
| 58 | dedis a gremio suae | from her mother’s bosom, |
| 59 | matris, o Hymenaee Hymen, | O Hymenaeus Hymen, |
| 60 | o Hymen Hymenaee. | O Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 61 | nil potest sine te Venus, | No pleasure can Venus take |
| 62 | fama quod bona comprobet, | without thee, such as honest fame |
| 63 | commodi capere, at potest | may approve, but can |
| 64 | te uolente. quis huic deo | if thou art willing. What god |
| 65 | compararier ausit? | dare match himself with this god? |
| 66 | nulla quit sine te domus | No house without thee can |
| 67 | liberos dare, nec parens | give children, no parent rest |
| 68 | stirpe nitier; ac potest | on his offspring ; but all is well |
| 69 | te uolente. quis huic deo | if thou art willing. What god |
| 70 | compararier ausit? | dare match himself with this god? |
| 71 | quae tuis careat sacris, | A land that should want thy sanctities |
| 72 | non queat dare praesides | would not be able to produce |
| 73 | terra finibus: at queat | guardians for its borders—but could |
| 74 | te uolente. quis huic deo | if thou art willing. What god |
| 75 | compararier ausit? | dare match himself with this god? |
| 76 | claustra pandite ianuae. | release the bolts of the door |
| 77 | uirgo adest. uiden ut faces | the bride is coming. See you how the torches |
| 78 | splendidas quatiunt comas? | shake their shining tresses? |
| 79 | tardet ingenuus pudor. | noble shame delays… . |
| 80 | quem tamen magis audiens, | Yet listening rather to this, |
| 81 | flet quod ire necesse est. | she weeps that she must go. |
| 82 | flere desine. non tibi Au- | Weep no more. Not to you |
| 83 | runculeia periculum est, | Aurunculeia, is there danger |
| 84 | ne qua femina pulcrior | that any fairer woman |
| 85 | clarum ab Oceano diem | shall see the bright day |
| 86 | uiderit uenientem. | coming from ocean. |
| 87 | talis in uario solet | So in the gay garden |
| 88 | diuitis domini hortulo | of a rich owner |
| 89 | stare flos hyacinthinus. | stands a hyacinth flower— |
| 90 | sed moraris, abit dies. | but you delay, the day is passing; |
| 91 | prodeas noua nupta. | come forth, O bride. |
| 92 | prodeas noua nupta, si | Come forth, O bride, if |
| 93 | iam uidetur, et audias | now you will, and hear |
| 94 | nostra uerba. uiden? faces | our words. See how the torches |
| 95 | aureas quatiunt comas: | shake their golden tresses! |
| 96 | prodeas noua nupta. | come forth, O bride. |
| 97 | non tuus leuis in mala | Your husband will not, |
| 98 | deditus uir adultera, | lightly given to some wicked paramour, |
| 99 | probra turpia persequens, | and following shameful ways of dishonour, |
| 100 | a tuis teneris uolet | wish to lie away |
| 101 | secubare papillis, | from your soft bosom. |
| 102 | lenta sed uelut adsitas | but as the pliant vine entwines |
| 103 | uitis implicat arbores, | the trees planted near it, |
| 104 | implicabitur in tuum | so will he be entwined in your |
| 105 | complexum. sed abit dies: | embrace. But the day is passing; |
| 106 | prodeas noua nupta. | come forth, O bride. |
| 107 | o cubile, quod omnibus | O bridal bed, to all |
| 108 | [ … ] | [ … ] |
| 109 | [ … ] | [ … ] |
| 110 | [ … ] | [ … ] |
| 111 | candido pede lecti, | white foot … bed, |
| 112 | quae tuo ueniunt ero, | What joys are coming for your lord, |
| 113 | quanta gaudia, quae uaga | O what joys to know in the fleeting |
| 114 | nocte, quae medio die | night, joys in the full day!— |
| 115 | gaudeat! sed abit dies: | but the day is passing; |
| 116 | prodeas noua nupta. | come forth, O bride. |
| 117 | tollite, o pueri, faces: | Raise aloft the torches, boys: |
| 118 | flammeum uideo uenire. | I see the wedding veil coming. |
| 119 | ite concinite in modum | Go on, sing in measure, |
| 120 | ’io Hymen Hymenaee io, | “Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 121 | io Hymen Hymenaee.‘ | io Hymen Hymenaeus!“ |
| 122 | ne diu taceat procax | Let not the merry Fescennine |
| 123 | Fescennina iocatio, | jesting be silent, |
| 124 | nec nuces pueris neget | let the favourite boy give away nuts to the sla ves |
| 125 | desertum domini audiens | when he hears how his lord |
| 126 | concubinus amorem. | has left his love. |
| 127 | da nuces pueris, iners | Give nuts to the slaves, |
| 128 | concubine! satis diu | favourite: your time is past, |
| 129 | lusisti nucibus: lubet | you have played with nuts long enough: s. |
| 130 | iam seruire Talasio. | you must now be the servant of Talassius. |
| 131 | concubine, nuces da. | Give nuts, beloved slave. |
| 132 | sordebant tibi uillicae, | Today and yesterday |
| 133 | concubine, hodie atque heri: | you disdained the country wives, |
| 134 | nunc tuum cinerarius | now the barber shaves |
| 135 | tondet os. miser a miser | your cheeks. Wretched, ah! wretched |
| 136 | concubine, nuces da. | lover, throw the nuts! |
| 137 | diceris male te a tuis | They will say that you, |
| 138 | unguentate glabris marite | perfumed bridegroom, are unwilling . |
| 139 | abstinere, sed abstine. | to give up your old pleasures; but abstain |
| 140 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 141 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 142 | scimus haec tibi quae licent | We know that you are acquainted |
| 143 | sola cognita, sed marito | with no unlawful joys: but a husband |
| 144 | ista non eadem licent. | has not the same liberty. |
| 145 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 146 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 147 | nupta, tu quoque quae tuus | You too, O bride, be sure you refuse not |
| 148 | uir petet caue ne neges, | what your husband claims, |
| 149 | ni petitum aliunde eat. | lest he go elsewhere to find it. |
| 150 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 151 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 152 | en tibi domus ut potens | See how mighty and rich for you |
| 153 | et beata uiri tui, | is the house of your husband; |
| 154 | quae tibi sine seruiat | be content to be mistress here, |
| 155 | (io Hymen Hymenaee io, | (Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 156 | io Hymen Hymenaee) | io Hymen Hymenaeus!) |
| 157 | usque dum tremulum mouens | even till hoary old age, |
| 158 | cana tempus anilitas | shaking a trembling head, |
| 159 | omnia omnibus annuit. | nods assent to all for all. |
| 160 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 161 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 162 | transfer omine cum bono | Bear over the threshold with a good |
| 163 | limen aureolos pedes, | omen your golden feet, |
| 164 | rasilemque subi forem. | and enter within the polished door. |
| 165 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 166 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 167 | aspice intus ut accubans | See how your husband within, |
| 168 | uir tuus Tyrio in toro | reclining on a purple couch, |
| 169 | totus immineat tibi. | is all eagerness for you. |
| 170 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 171 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 172 | illi non minus ac tibi | In his inmost heart |
| 173 | pectore uritur intimo | no less than in yours glows |
| 174 | flamma, sed penite magis. | the flame, but deeper within. |
| 175 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 176 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 177 | mitte brachiolum teres, | Let go, young boy, |
| 178 | praetextate, puellulae: | the smooth arm of the damsel, |
| 179 | iam cubile adeat uiri. | let her now come to her husband’s bed. |
| 180 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 181 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 182 | uos bonae senibus uiris | Ye, honest matrons, well wedded |
| 183 | cognitae bene feminae, | to ancient husbands, |
| 184 | collocate puellulam. | set the damsel in her place. |
| 185 | io Hymen Hymenaee io, | Io Hymen Hymenaeus io, |
| 186 | io Hymen Hymenaee. | io Hymen Hymenaeus! |
| 187 | iam licet uenias, marite: | Now you may come, bridegroom; |
| 188 | uxor in thalamo tibi est, | your wife, is in the bride-chamber, |
| 189 | ore floridulo nitens, | shining with flowery face, |
| 190 | alba parthenice uelut | like a white daisy |
| 191 | luteumue papauer. | or yellow poppy. |
| 192 | at, marite, ita me iuuent | But, husband, so the gods help me, |
| 193 | caelites, nihilo minus | you are no less fair, |
| 194 | pulcer es, neque te Venus | nor does Venus |
| 195 | neglegit. sed abit dies: | neglect you. But the day is passing. |
| 196 | perge, ne remorare. | Go on then, delay not. |
| 197 | non diu remoratus es: | Not long have you delayed. |
| 198 | iam uenis. bona te Venus | Already you come. May kindly Venus |
| 199 | iuuerit, quoniam palam | help you, since openly |
| 200 | quod cupis cupis, et bonum | you take your desire and |
| 201 | non abscondis amorem. | do not hide your honest love. |
| 202 | ille pulueris Africi | Let him first count up the number |
| 203 | siderumque micantium | of the dust of Africa |
| 204 | subducat numerum prius, | and of the glittering stars, |
| 205 | qui uestri numerare uolt | who would number |
| 206 | multa milia ludi. | the many thousands of your joys. |
| 207 | ludite ut lubet, et breui | Sport as ye will, and soon |
| 208 | liberos date. non decet | bring children forth. It is not fit ldren |
| 209 | tam uetus sine liberis | that so old a name should be without chi |
| 210 | nomen esse, sed indidem | but that they should be , |
| 211 | semper ingenerari. | ever born from the same stock. |
| 212 | Torquatus uolo paruulus | I would see a little Torquatus, |
| 213 | matris e gremio suae | stretching his baby hands |
| 214 | porrigens teneras manus | from his mother’s lap, |
| 215 | dulce rideat ad patrem | smile a sweet smile at his father |
| 216 | semihiante labello. | with lips half parted. |
| 217 | sit suo similis patri | May he be like his father |
| 218 | Manlio et facile insciis | Manlius, and easily be recognised by all, |
| 219 | noscitetur ab omnibus, | even those who do not know, |
| 220 | et pudicitiam suae | and declare by his face |
| 221 | matris indicet ore. | the fair fame of his mother. |
| 222 | talis illius a bona | May such praise, due to his |
| 223 | matre laus genus approbet, | chaste mother, approve his descent, |
| 224 | qualis unica ab optima | as for Telemachus son of Penelope |
| 225 | matre Telemacho manet | remains unparagoned the honour |
| 226 | fama Penelopeo. | derived from his noble mother. |
| 227 | claudite ostia, uirgines: | Maidens, shut the doors. |
| 228 | lusimus satis. at boni | We have sported enough. But ye, |
| 229 | coniuges, bene uiuite et | happy pair, live happily, |
| 230 | munere assiduo ualentem | and in your office exercise joyously |
| 231 | exercete iuuentam. | your vigorous youth. |
