The VIGIL of VENUS. Written in the time of JULIUS CESAR, and by fome afcribed to CATULLUS. L ET thofe love now, who never lov'd before, Let thofe who always lov'd, now love the more. The spring, the new, the warb'ling spring appears, The youthful season of reviving years; In fpring the loves enkindle mutual heats, The feather'd nation chuse their tuneful mates, 'Twas Tunc liquore de fuperno, fpumeo ponti è globo, Cærulas inter catervas, inter et bipedes equos, Fecit undantem Dionen de maritis imbribus. Cras amet, qui numquam amavit; quique amavit, cras amet. Ipfa gemmas purpurantem pingit annum floribus, Ipfa furgentis papillas de favonî spiritu, Urguet in toros tepentes; ipfa roris lucidi, Noctis aura quem relinquit, fpargit umentis aquas, Et micant lacrymæ trementes decidivo pondere. In pudorem florulentæ prodiderunt purpuræ. Mane i 'Twas on that day which faw the teeming flood Let thofe love now, who never lov'd before, She paints the purpled year with vary'd show, Mane virgines papillas folvit umenti peplo. Ipfa juffit mane ut udæ virgines nubant rofæ Fufæ prius de cruore deque amoris ofculis, Deque gemmis, deque flammis, deque folis purpuris. Cras ruborem qui latebat veste tectus igneâ, Unica marito nodo non pudebit folvere. Cras amet, qui numquam amavit; quique amavit, cras amet. Ipfa nimfas diva luco juffit ire myrteo Et puer comes puellis. Nec tamen credi poteft Effe amorem feriatum, fi fagittas vexerit. Ite nimfæ pofuit arma, feriatus eft amor. Juffus Close till the morn, her humid veil she holds; In rofy garlands bind your flowing hair prepare, 'Tis Venus' plant: the blood fair Venus shed, From Love's foft kiss a sweet Ambrofial finell Let thofe who always lov'd, now love the more. Sends the gay Nymphs, and fends her tender Love. And shall they venture? Is it safe to go? While Nymphs have hearts, and Cupid wears a bow? |