Paene insularum, Sirmio, insularumque

ocelle, quascumque in liquentibus stagnis

marique vasto fert uterque Neptunus,

quam te libenter quamque laetus inviso,

vix mi ipse credens Thuniam atque Bithunos

liquisse campos et videre te in tuto.

o quid solutis est beatius curis,

cum mens onus reponit, ac peregrino

labore fessi venimus larem ad nostrum,

desideratoque acquiescimus lecto?

hoc est quod unum est pro laboribus tantis.

salve, o venusta Sirmio, atque ero gaude

gaudente, vosque, lucidae lacus undae,

ridete quidquid est domi cachinnorum.

Darling of a peninsula and of islands, Sirmio,

Whichever each Neptune bears in clear pools and vast oceans

How gladly and how happy I see you,

scarcely believing myself that

I had left behind Bithynia and Bithynian fields

and safely see you.

O, what is more blessed than cares set free,

when the mind puts down (its) burden, and

we have come, tired from foreign labor to our/my home

and we find relief on the longed for bed?

This alone is what is in exchange for such great labors.

Hail O charming Sirmio, and rejoice for your master rejoicing

and you of the lake of clear water

laugh whatever laughter threre is at your command.

• Note the use of language of comfort and pleasure -- Catullus begins with Sirmio, draws us to Bithynia and finally to Sirmio.
• Note that Catullus uses personification for Sirmio, in addressing it in the beginning and ending of the poem.
• Line nine stretches out the meter in "fessi venimus" -- emphasizing the sense of weariness that comes with travel as he returns home.