CHAPTER V.
HYMEN, O HYMENÆE!
Catullus has been presented up to this point rather as the writer of passionate love-verses to Lesbia, or vers de société to his friends, literary or light, as the case might be. There are yet two other and distinct aspects of his Muse. That which he borrowed from the Alexandrian school of poetry will demand the full consideration of another chapter; but in the present it will suffice to give some account of his famous epithalamia, the models of like composition for all time, and the loci classici of the ceremonial of Roman marriages, as well as exquisite pictures of the realisation of mutual affection. It has been seen how fully, notwithstanding his own blighted hopes, Catullus was able to conceive the life-bond between his friend Calvus and his helpmeet Quinctilia. A longer and more lively picture presents the ecstasy of Acme and Septimius in lines and words that seem to burn. The two doting lovers plight vows, and compare omens, and interchange embraces and kisses that inspire with passion the poet's hendecasyllables. The conclusion of the piece is all we can quote, and is
