by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Language: Latin
...
"compari Venus pudore mittit ad te virgines :
una res est quam rogamus : cede, virgo Delia,
ut nemus sit incruentum de ferinis stragibus.
ipsa vellet te rogare, si pudicam flecteret ;
ipsa vellet ut venires, si deceret virginem.
iam tribus choros videres feriatis noctibus
congreges inter catervas ire per saltus tuos,
floreas inter coronas, myrteas inter casas.
nec Ceres nec Bacchus absunt, nec poetarum deus.
de tenente tota nox est, pervigilia canticis :
regnet in silvis Dione ! tu recede, Delia !"
cras amet qui numquam amavit quique amavit cras amet !
...
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 10-11 of the original text.
Composition:
Text Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Pervigilium Veneris"
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Grant Hicks) , "The Vigil of Venus", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Grant Hicks
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website: 2026-04-25
Line count: 93
Word count: 673
Language: English after the Latin
...
"Venus sends virgins to you with suitable modesty:
there is one thing we ask: withdraw, Delian virgin,
so that the wood may be unstained by the slaughter of wild beasts.
She would like to invite you, if she might prevail on your modesty;
she would like you to come, if it befits a virgin.
Now for three festal nights you would see choruses
gathered among throngs to go through your woodlands,
among garlands of flowers, among huts of myrtle.
Neither Ceres nor Bacchus is absent, nor the god of poets.
The whole night is vigils with songs of its mistress:
May Dione reign in the forests! Withdraw, O Delia!"
Tomorrow let him love who has never loved, and who has loved, let him love tomorrow!
...
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 10-11 of the original text.
Note for stanza 10, line 2, "Delian virgin": Diana, goddess of the hunt, who was said to have been born on the island of Delos.
Note for stanza 10, line 10, "the god of poets": Apollo.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Latin to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
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This text was added to the website: 2026-04-25
Line count: 93
Word count: 1062
