Then certes
sheeniest
suns for thee did shine.
Catullus - Carmina
Scelesta, vae te! quae tibi manet vita! 15
Quis nunc te adibit? cui videberis bella?
Quem nunc amabis? cuius esse diceris?
Quem basiabis? cui labella mordebis?
At tu, Catulle, destinatus obdura.
VIII.
TO HIMSELF RECOUNTING LESBIA'S INCONSTANCY.
Woe-full Catullus! cease to play the fool
And what thou seest dead as dead regard!
Whilome the sheeniest suns for thee did shine
When oft-a-tripping whither led the girl
By us beloved, as shall none be loved. 5
There all so merry doings then were done
After thy liking, nor the girl was loath.
Then certes sheeniest suns for thee did shine.
Now she's unwilling: thou too (hapless! ) will
Her flight to follow, and sad life to live: 10
Endure with stubborn soul and still obdure.
Damsel, adieu! Catullus obdurate grown
Nor seeks thee, neither asks of thine unwill;
Yet shalt thou sorrow when none woos thee more;
Reprobate! Woe to thee! What life remains? 15
Who now shall love thee? Who'll think thee fair?
Whom now shalt ever love? Whose wilt be called?
To whom shalt kisses give? whose liplets nip?
But thou (Catullus! ) destiny-doomed obdure.
Unhappy Catullus, cease thy trifling and what thou seest lost know to be
lost.
