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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VOLPONE: TO CELIA by GAIUS VALERIUS CATULLUS

First Line: COME, MY CELIA, LET US PROVE
Last Line: THESE HAVE CRIMES ACCOUNTED BEEN.
Subject(s): CARPE DIEM; LOVE;

COME, my Celia, let us prove,
While we can, the sports of love;
Time will not be ours for ever,
He, at length, our good will sever;
Spend not then his gifts in vain;
Suns that set may rise again;
But if once we lose this light,
'Tis with us perpetual night.

Why should we defer our joys?
Fame and rumour are but toys.
Cannot we delude the eyes
Of a few poor household spies?

Or his easier ears beguile,
Thus removed by our wile?--
'Tis no sin love's fruits to steal,
But the sweet thefts to reveal,
To be taken, to be seen,
These have crimes accounted been.



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