Translation D P. Wigham The Poems of Catullus (Penguin) 1966

 

 

Phyllis Corydon clutched to him

her head at rest beneath his chin.

He said, "If I don't love you more

than ever maid was loved before

I shall (if this the years not prove)

in Afric or the Indian grove

some green-eyed lion serve for food."

 

Amor, to show that he was pleased,

approvingly (in silence) sneezed.

 

Then Phyllis slightly raised her head

(her lips were full & wet & red)

to kiss the sweet eyes full of her:

"Corydon mine, with me prefer

always to serve unique Amor:

my softer flesh the fire licks

more greedily and deeper sticks."

 

Amor, to show that he was pleased,

approvingly (in silence) sneezed.

 

So loving & loved so, they rove

between twin auspices of Love.

Corydon sets in his eye-lust

Phyllis before all other dust;

Phyllis on Corydon expends

her nubile toys, Love's dividends.

Could Venus yield more love-delight

than here she grants in Love's requite?