| PAENE INSULARUM, SIRMIO ... | GEM OF ALL ISTHMUSES ... |
| Catullus (Gaius Valerius Catullus) | tr. Charles Stuart Calverley |
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Paene insularum, Sirmio, insularumque ocelle, quascumque in liquentibus stagnis marique vasto fert uterque Neptunus, quam te libenter quamque laetus inviso, vix mi ipse credens Thyniam atque Bithynos liquisse campos et videre te in tuto! o quid solutis est beatius curis, cum mens onus reponit, ac peregrino labore fessi venimus larem ad nostrum desideratoque adquiescimus lecto? hoc est quod unum est pro laboribus tantis. salve, o venusta Sirmio, atque ero gaude; gaudete vosque, o Lydiae lacus undae; ridete, quidquid est domi cachinnorum. |
Gem of all isthmuses and isles that lie, Fresh or salt water's children, in clear lake Or ampler ocean: with what joy do I Approach thee, Sirmio! Oh! am I awake, Or dream that once again my eye beholds Thee, and has looked its last on Thynian wolds? Sweetest of sweets to me that pastime seems, When the mind drops her burden: when - the pain Of travel past - our own cot we regain, And nestle on the pillow of our dreams! 'Tis this one thought that cheers us as we roam. Hail, O fair Sirmio! Joy, thy lord is here! Joy too, ye waters of the Garda Mere! And ring out, all ye laughter-peals of home. |
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