by Gaius Valerius Catullus

    Translated by Charles Martin

    Driven across many nations， across many oceans，

    I am here， my brother， for this final parting，

    to offer at last those gifts which the dead are given

    and to speak in vain to your unspeaking ashes，

    since bitter fortune forbids you to hear me or answer，

    O my wretched brother， so abruptly taken！

    But now I must celebrate grief with funeral tributes

    offered the dead in the ancient way of the fathers；

    accept these presents， wet with my brotherly tears， and

    now & forever， my brother， hail & farewell.