| ACMEN SEPTIMIUS SUOS AMORES ... |
THE BALLAD OF SEPTIMIUS AND ACME |
| Catullus (Gaius Valerius Catullus) | tr. Josephine Balmer |
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Acmen Septimius suos amores tenens in gremio 'mea' inquit ' Acme, ni te perdite amo atque amare porro omnes sum assidue paratus annos, quantum qui pote plurimum perire, solus in Libya Indiaque tosta caesio ueniam obuius leoni.' hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante dextra sternuit approbationem. at Acme leuiter caput reflectens et dulcis pueri ebrios ocellos illo purpureo ore suauiata, 'sic' inquit 'mea uita Septimille, huic uni domino usque seruiamus, ut multo mihi maior acriorque ignis mollibus ardet in medullis.' hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante dextra sternuit approbationem. nunc ab auspicio bono profecti mutuis animis amant amantur. unam Septimius misellus Acmen mauult quam Syrias Britanniasque: uno in Septimio fidelis Acme facit delicias libidinisque. quis ullos homines beatiores uidit, quis Venerem auspicatiorem? |
Septimius sat his love, his Acme, on his lap: 'Acme,' he told her, 'my dear, if I don't love you desperately, now and even more throughout all the years, as much as most desperate love can own, then in Libya or sun-scorched India let me face a green-eyed lion alone.' So he spoke. And Cupid to show pleasure on the left (and on the right) sneezed consent. But Acme, gently bending back her head, kissed the love-drunk eyes of her own sweet boy with wine-dark mouth and crimson lips, then said: 'So, my Septimius, my life, my joy, let's be slaves to Love, by one master owned, for I have a brighter, more blistering fire burning through the soft marrow of my bones.' So she spoke. And Cupid to show pleasure on the left (and on the right) sneezed consent. And now they start out with all good omens, loving and being loved, of same mind set: for Septimius Acme is the one he craves, before all Britain, Syria, in Septimius alone true Acme takes delight, desire, in equal measure. Who has ever seen lovers more happy? Who a love more fortunate, heaven-sent? |
Transl. Copyright © Josephine Balmer 2004 - publ. Bloodaxe Books
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