No More Learning

Now thou mayst come, O bridegroom: thy wife is in the bridal-bed, with face
brightly blushing as white parthenice 'midst ruddy poppies.

But, O bridegroom (so help me the heaven-dwellers) in no way less beautiful
art thou, nor doth Venus slight thee. But the day slips by: on! nor more
delay.

Nor long hast thou delayed, thou comest now. May kindly Venus help thee,
since what thou dost desire thou takest publicly, and dost not conceal true
love.

Of Afric's sands and glittering stars the number first let him tell, who
wishes to keep count of your many-thousand sports.

Sport as ye like, and speedily give heirs. It does not become so old a name
to be sans heirs, but for similar stock always to be generated.

A little Torquatus I wish, from his mother's bosom reaching out his dainty
hands, and smiling sweetly at his father with lips apart.

May he be like his sire Manlius, and easily acknowledged by every stranger,
and by his face point out his mother's faithfulness.

May such praise confirm his birth from true mother, such fame unique as
rests with Telemachus from best of mothers, Penelope.

Close ye the doors, virgins: enough we've sported. But, fair bride and
groom, live ye well, and diligently fulfil the office of vigorous youth.

LXII.
Vesper adest, iuvenes, consurgite: Vesper Olympo
Expectata diu vix tandem lumina tollit.
Surgere iam tempus, iam pingues linquere mensas,
Iam veniet virgo, iam dicetur Hymenaeus.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee! 5

Cernitis, innuptae, iuvenes? consurgite contra:
Nimirum Oetaeos ostendit noctifer ignes.
Sic certest; viden ut perniciter exiluere?
Non temere exiluere, canent quod vincere par est.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee! 10

Non facilis nobis, aequales, palma paratast,
Adspicite, innuptae secum ut meditata requirunt.
Non frustra meditantur, habent memorabile quod sit.
Nec mirum, penitus quae tota mente laborent.
Nos alio mentes, alio divisimus aures: 15
Iure igitur vincemur, amat victoria curam.
Quare nunc animos saltem convertite vestros,
Dicere iam incipient, iam respondere decebit.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

Hespere, qui caelo fertur crudelior ignis? 20
Qui natam possis conplexu avellere matris,
Conplexu matris retinentem avellere natam
Et iuveni ardenti castam donare puellam.