T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Rendezvous
By Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84c. 54 B.C.)(Anonymous translation) MY Hypsithilla, charming fair, | |
My life, my soul, ah! hear my prayer: | |
Thy grateful summons quickly send, | |
And bless at noon, with joy, thy friend. | |
And if my fair one will comply, | 5 |
And not her sighing swain deny, | |
Take care the door be then unbarr’d, | |
And let no spy be on the guard. | |
And thou, the aim of my desire, | |
Attend at home my amorous fire. | 10 |
Prepare thy bosom to receive | |
All that so much love can give: | |
Prepare to meet repeated joy, | |
Continued bliss without alloy; | |
Dissolving still in thy dear arms, | 15 |
Still raised by thy reviving charms, | |
To onsets fresh of sprightly pleasure, | |
Tumultuous joy beyond all measure. | |
But dally not with my desire, | |
Nor quash with thy delays my fire. | 20 |
Bursting with love upon my couch I lie, | |
Forestalling with desire the distant joy. | |