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The Roman poet Catullus wrote of love between the nymph Acme and Septimius. And a nice painting by Lord Frederick Leighton (1830-1896) inspired by the poem.
Acmen Septimius suos amores
tenens in gremio 'mea' inquit 'Acme,
ni te perdite amo atque amare porro
omnes sum assidue paratus annos,
quantum qui pote plurimum perire,
solus in Libya Indiaque tosta
caesio ueniam obuius leoni.'
hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante
dextra sternuit approbationem.
at Acme leuiter caput reflectens
et dulcis pueri ebrios ocellos
illo purpureo ore suauiata,
'sic' inquit 'mea uita Septimille,
huic uni domino usque seruiamus,
ut multo mihi maior acriorque
ignis mollibus ardet in medullis.'
hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante
dextra sternuit approbationem.
nunc ab auspicio bono profecti
mutuis animis amant amantur.
unam Septimius misellus Acmen
mauult quam Syrias Britanniasque:
uno in Septimio fidelis Acme
facit delicias libidinisque.
quis ullos homines beatiores
uidit, quis Venerem auspicatiorem?
Translation by John Anthony Bernard Harrison (1909-1983)
He held her close against his breast and whispered soft and low
"Heart of my heart, my little one, I love you, love you so!
For ever and for ever, dear, no matter where I stand;
In darkest Africa maybe, or India's coral strand,
Or even should I chance to meet, while wandering out there,
A green-eyed lion, I'd think of you, and thus confound his stare"!
And as he spoke these words, Love smiled; the god was very pleased,
And from the left toward the right in approbation sneezed.
Then Acme, tilting back her head to kiss his tender eyes
With lips like parted rose-buds which the golden sunlight dyes,
Said, "Constant slaves of sovran Love we'll be, for in me glows
A greater and a fiercer fire than e'er Vesuvius knows.
Your love for me is very great I know, but it is true
That yours is no whit greater than the love I bear for you"!
And as she spoke these words, Love smiled, and delicately sneezed
From left to right to indicate that he was very pleased!
Now started on their favoured way they render love for love;
Septimius prefers his bride to all your stars above.
Your Britains and your Syrias, your rich and fertile fields,
And to Septimius alone his loyal Acme yields
Herself in love, for love's delights and passion's pleasures rare
Afford a never-ceasing joy to this delightful pair:
None ever saw two people happier than these two are,
For love could not have flowered 'neath a better omened star!
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