Satires—Imitations—AND Sonnets.

by Cornwall Bayley

 

FROM CATULLUS.
“Vivemus mea Lesbia.”

 
    LESBIA, let us live and love;
Let us, Lesbia, far remove,
Care and sorrow—nor regard
Tales that happiness retard!

    Yon bright sun that gilds the main,
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Sets,—but sets to rise again;
We—when once life’s precious light
Has fail’d—must sleep in endless night.

    Haste then, darling of my wishes,
Bless me with a thousand kisses;
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Then, succeeding each to each,
Tho’ the number myriads reach;
Still encrease the boundless store,
Still, O! still give myriads more;
Till—when myriads we have given
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(Wrapt in all the joys of Heaven) [Page 43]
Let us cease to count our treasures,
Lest we fix a bound to pleasures;
Or lest others envious prove,
When they see such hoards of love! [Page 44]
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