Classic Poem

O my gem of almost-islands and of islands, Sirmio,
Whatsoever, wheresoever lucid inland waters flow,
Wheresoever out in ocean sun may shine or wind may blow!
O how gladly, O how madly I rejoice again to be
(After all the Asian lowlands wandered over wearily)
Here at last, my little island, safe at last with home and thee!
What so dear as cares completed when the mind lays down the load,
And the way-worn feet that wandered take again the homeward road;
And upon the bed we longed for we can go to sleep again —
O alone reward enough for all the labor, all the pain!
Hail, my Sirmio, the lovely, greet your master and be gay;
Greet him, all ye Lydian billows, plashing up the sands at play —
With your laughter greet Catullus, back again with you to-day.