C. Valerius Catullus, Carmina
Sir Richard Francis Burton, Ed.

ON ACME AND SEPTUMIUS

To Acmé quoth Septumius who his fere
Held on his bosom-" Acme', mine! next year,
Unless I love thee fondlier than before,
And with each twelve month love thee more and more,
As much as lover's life can slay with yearning,
Alone in Lybia, or Hind's clime a-burning,
Be mine to encounter Lion grisly-eyed!"
While he was speaking Love on leftward side
(As wont) approving sneeze from dextral sped.
But Acmé backwards gently bending head,
And the love-drunken eyes of her sweet boy
Kissing with yonder rosy mouth, "My joy,"
She murmured, "my life-love Septumillus mine!
Unto one master's hest let's aye incline,
As burns with fuller and with fiercer fire
In my soft marrow set, this love-desire!"
While she was speaking, Love from leftward side
(As wont) with sneeze approving rightwards hied.
Now with boon omens wafted on their way,
In mutual fondness, love and loved are they.
Love-sick Septumius holds one Acmé's love,
Of Syrias or either Britains high above,
Acmé to one Septumius full of faith
Her love and love-liesse surrendereth.
Who e'er saw mortals happier than these two?
Who e'er a better omened Venus knew?