These are my modern English translations of Latin poems by the Roman poet Catullus.
The first stanza this poem by the Roman poet, Catullus, is absolutely stunning, as is Mike's modern English translation from the Latin.
Through many lands and over many seas
I have journeyed, brother, to these wretched rites,
to this final acclamation of the dead ...
and to speak — however ineffectually — to your voiceless ashes
now that Fate has wrested you away from me.
Alas, my dear brother, wrenched from my arms so cruelly,
accept these last offerings, these small tributes
blessed by our fathers’ traditions, these small gifts for the dead.
Please accept, by custom, these tokens drenched with a brother’s tears,
and, for all eternity, brother, “Hail and Farewell.”
I think that is one of my best translations. Glad you liked it!
It's one of the most powerful graveside orations I've ever read. You made a great job of it.
I really do like that translation. I'm glad you like it too.
The first stanza this poem by the Roman poet, Catullus, is absolutely stunning, as is Mike's modern English translation from the Latin.
Through many lands and over many seas
I have journeyed, brother, to these wretched rites,
to this final acclamation of the dead ...
and to speak — however ineffectually — to your voiceless ashes
now that Fate has wrested you away from me.
Alas, my dear brother, wrenched from my arms so cruelly,
accept these last offerings, these small tributes
blessed by our fathers’ traditions, these small gifts for the dead.
Please accept, by custom, these tokens drenched with a brother’s tears,
and, for all eternity, brother, “Hail and Farewell.”
I think that is one of my best translations. Glad you liked it!
It's one of the most powerful graveside orations I've ever read. You made a great job of it.
I really do like that translation. I'm glad you like it too.