When to me sore opprest by bitter chance of misfortuneThis thy letter thou send’st written wi’ blotting of tears,So might I save thee flung by spuming billows of ocean,Shipwreckt, rescuing life snatcht from the threshold of death;Eke neither Venus the Holy to rest in slumber’s refreshmentGrants thee her grace on couch lying deserted and lone,Nor can the Muses avail with dulcet song of old writersEver delight thy mind sleepless in anxious care;Grateful be this to my thought since thus thy friend I’m entitled,Hence of me seekest thou gifts Muses and Venus can give:But that bide not unknown to thee my sorrows (O Manius!)And lest office of host I should be holden to hate,Learn how in Fortune’s deeps I chance myself to be drownèd,Nor fro’ the poor rich boons furthermore prithee require.What while first to myself the pure-white garment was given,Whenas my flowery years flowed in fruition of spring,Much I disported enow, nor ’bode I a stranger to GoddessWho with our cares is lief sweetness of bitter to mix:Yet did a brother’s death pursuits like these to my sorrowBid for me cease: Oh, snatcht brother! from wretchedest me.Then, yea, thou by thy dying hast broke my comfort, O brother;Buried together wi’ thee lieth the whole of our house;Perisht along wi’ thyself all gauds and joys of our life-tide,Douce love fostered by thee during the term of our days.After thy doom of death fro’ mind I banishèd whollyStudies like these, and all lending a solace to soul;Wherefore as to thy writ:—“Verona’s home for Catullus”“Bringeth him shame, for there men of superior mark”“Must on a deserted couch fain chafe their refrigerate limbs:”Such be no shame (Manius!): rather ’tis matter of ruth.Pardon me, then, wilt thou an gifts bereft me by grievingThese I send not to thee since I avail not present.For, that I own not here abundant treasure of writingsHas for its cause, in Rome dwell I; and there am I homed,There be my seat, and there my years are gathered to harvest;Out of book-cases galore here am I followed by one.This being thus, nill I thou deem ’tis spirit malignantActs in such wise or mind lacking of liberal moodThat to thy prayer both gifts be not in plenty supplièd:Willingly both had I sent, had I the needed supply.
Quod mihi fortuna casuque oppressus acerboconscriptum hoc lacrimis mittis epistolium,naufragum ut eiectum spumantibus aequoris undissublevem et a mortis limine restituam,quem neque sancta Venus molli requiescere somnodesertum in lecto caelibe perpetitur,nec veterum dulci scriptorum carmine musaeoblectant, cum mens anxia pervigilat,id gratum est mihi, me quoniam tibi dicis amicummuneraque et Musarum hinc petis et Veneris.sed tibi ne mea sint ignota incommoda, Manli,neu me odisse putes hospitis officium,accipe quis merser fortunae fluctibus ipse,ne amplius a misero dona beata petas.tempore quo primum vestis mihi tradita pura est,iucundum cum aetas florida ver ageret,multa satis lusi; non est dea nescia nostriquae dulcem curis miscet amaritiem:sed totum hoc studium luctu fraterna mihi morsabstulit. o misero frater adempte mihi,tu mea tu moriens fregisti commoda, frater,tecum una tota est nostra sepulta domus,omnia tecum una perierunt gaudia nostra,quae tuus in vita dulcis alebat amor.cuius ego interitu tota de mente fugavihaec studia atque omnes delicias animi.quare, quod scribis Veronae turpe Catulloesse quod hic quisquis de meliore notafrigida deserto tepefactet membra cubili,id, Manli, non est turpe, magis miserum est.ignosces igitur, si, quae mihi luctus ademit,haec tibi non tribuo munera, cum nequeo.nam quod scriptorum non magna est copia apud me,hoc fit quod Romae vivimus: illa domus,illa mihi sedes, illic mea carpitur aetas;huc una ex multis capsula me sequitur.quod cum ita sit, nolim statuas nos mente malignaid facere aut animo non satis ingenuoquod tibi non utriusque petenti copia parta est:ultro ego deferrem, copia si qua foret.
Nor can I (Goddesses!) hide in what things Allius sent meAid, forbear to declare what was the aidance he deigned:Neither shall fugitive Time from centuries ever obliviousVeil in the blinds of night friendship he lavisht on me.But will I say unto you what you shall say to the manyThousands in turn, and make paper, old crone, to proclaim…And in his death become noted the more and the more,Nor let spider on high that weaves her delicate webbingPractise such labours o’er Allius’ obsolete name.For that ye weet right well what care Amathúsia two-facedGave me, and how she dasht every hope to the ground,Whenas I burnt so hot as burn Trinacria’s rocks orMallia stream that feeds Œtéan Thermopylae;Nor did these saddened eyes to be dimmed by assiduous weepingCease, and my cheeks with showers ever in sadness be wet.E’en as from aëry heights of mountain springeth a springletLimpidest leaping forth from rocking felted with moss,Then having headlong rolled the prone-laid valley downpouring,Populous region amid wendeth his gradual way,Sweetest solace of all to the sweltering traveller wayworn,Whenas the heavy heat fissures the fiery fields;Or, as to seamen lost in night of whirlwind a-gloomingGentle of breath there comes fairest and favouring breeze,Pollux anon being prayed, nor less vows offered to Castor:—Such was the aidance to us Manius pleased to afford.He to my narrow domains far wider limits laid open,He too gave me the house, also he gave me the dame,She upon whom both might exert them, partners in love deeds.Thither graceful of gait pacing my goddess white-huedCame and with gleaming foot on the worn sole of the thresholdStood she and prest its slab creakihg her sandals the while;E’enso with love enflamed in olden days to her helpmate,Laodamía the home Protesiléan besought,Sought, but in vain, for ne’er wi’ sacrificial blood shedVictims appeased the Lords ruling Celestial seats:Never may I so joy in aught (Rhamnusian Virgin!)That I engage in deed maugrè the will of the Lords.How starved altar can crave for gore in piety poured,Laodamia learnt taught by the loss of her man,Driven perforce to loose the neck of new-wedded help-mate,Whenas a winter had gone, nor other winter had come,Ere in the long dark nights her greeding love was so satedThat she had power to live maugrè a marriage broke off,Which, as the Parcae knew, too soon was fated to happenShould he a soldier sail bound for those llian walls.For that by Helena’s rape, the Champion-leaders of ArgivesUnto herself to incite Troy had already begun,Troy (ah, curst be the name) common tomb of Asia and Europe,Troy to sad ashes that turned valour and valorous men!Eke to our brother beloved, destruction ever lamentedBrought she: O Brother for aye lost unto wretchedmost me,Oh, to thy wretchedmost brother lost the light of his life-tide,Buried together wi’ thee lieth the whole of our house:Perisht along wi’ thyself forthright all joys we enjoyèd,Douce joys fed by thy love during the term of our days;Whom now art tombed so far nor ’mid familiar pavestonesNor wi’ thine ashes stored near to thy kith and thy kin,But in that Troy obscene, that Troy of ill-omen, entombèdHolds thee, an alien earth-buried in uttermost bourne.Thither in haste so hot (’tis said) from allwhere the Youth-hoodGrecian, farèd in hosts forth of their hearths and their homes,Lest with a stolen punk with fullest of pleasure should ParisFairly at leisure and ease sleep in the pacific bed.Such was the hapless chance, most beautiful Laodamia,Tare fro’ thee dearer than life, dearer than spirit itself,Him, that husband, whose love in so mighty a whirlpool of passionWhelmed thee absorbed and plunged deep in its gulfy abyss,E’en as the Grecians tell hard by Phenéus of CylléneDrained was the marish and dried, forming the fattest of soils,Whenas in days long done to delve through marrow of mountainsDaréd, falsing his sire, Amphtryóniades;What time sure of his shafts he smote Stymphalian monstersSlaying their host at the hest dealt by a lord of less worth,So might the gateway of Heaven be trodden by more of the godheads,Nor might Hébé abide longer to maidenhood doomed.Yet was the depth of thy love far deeper than deepest of marishWhich the hard mistress’s yoke taught him so tamely to bear;Never was head so dear to a grandsire wasted by life-tideWhenas one daughter alone a grandson so tardy had reared,Who being found against hope to inherit riches of forbearsIn the well-witnessed Will haply by name did appear,And ’spite impious hopes of baffled claimant to kinshipStartles the Vulturine grip clutching the frost-bitten poll.Nor with such rapture e’er joyed his mate of snowy-hued plumageDove-mate, albeit aye wont in her immoderate heatSaid be the bird to snatch hot kisses with beak ever billing,As diddest thou:—yet is Woman multivolent still.But thou ’vailedest alone all these to conquer in love-lowe,When conjoindd once more unto thy yellow-haired spouse.Worthy of yielding to her in naught or ever so littleCame to the bosom of us she, the fair light of my life,Round whom fluttering oft the Love-God hither and thitherShone with a candid sheen robed in his safflower dress.She though never she bide with one Catullus contented,Yet will I bear with the rare thefts of my dame the discreet,Lest over-irk I give which still of fools is the fashion.Often did Juno eke Queen of the Heavenly hostBoil wi’ the rabidest rage at dire default of a husbandLearning the manifold thefts of her omnivolent Jove,Yet with the Gods mankind ’tis nowise righteous to liken,……Rid me of graceless task fit for a tremulous sire.Yet was she never to me by hand paternal committedWhenas she came to my house reeking Assyrian scents;Nay, in the darkness of night her furtive favours she deigned me,Self-willed taking herself from very mate’s very breast.Wherefore I hold it enough since given to us and us onlyBoon of that day with Stone whiter than wont she denotes.This to thee—all that I can—this offering couched in verses(Allius!) as my return give I for service galore;So wi’ the seabriny rust your name may never be sulliedThis day and that nor yet other and other again.Hereto add may the Gods all good gifts, which Themis erewhilesWont on the pious of old from her full store to bestow:Blest be the times of the twain, thyself and she who thy life is,Also the home wherein dallied we, no less the Dame,Anser to boot who first of mortals brought us together,Whence from beginning all good Fortunes that blest us were born.Lastly than every else one dearer than self and far dearer,Light of my life who alive living to me can endear.
non possum reticere, deae, qua me Allius in reiuverit aut quantis iuverit officiis,ne fugiens saeclis obliviscentibus aetasillius hoc caeca nocte tegat studium:sed dicam vobis, vos porro dicite multismilibus et facite haec charta loquatur anus…notescatque magis mortuus atque magis,nec tenuem texens sublimis aranea telamin deserto Alli nomine opus faciat.nam mihi quam dederit duplex Amathusia curamscitis, et in quo me corruerit genere,cum tantum arderem quantum Trinacria rupeslymphaque in Oetaeis Malia Thermopylis,maesta neque adsiduo tabescere lumina fletucessarent tristique imbre madere genae,qualis in aerii perlucens vertice montisrivus muscoso prosilit e lapide,qui, cum de prone praeceps est valle volutus,per medium densi transit iter populi,dulce viatori lasso in sudore levamencum gravis exustos aestus hiulcat agros.hic, velut in nigro iactatis turbine nautislenius adspirans aura secunda venitiam prece Pollucis, iam Castoris implorata,tale fuit nobis Allius auxilium.is clausum lato patefecit limite campum,isque domum nobis isque dedit dominae,ad quam communes exerceremus amores.quo mea se molli candida diva pedeintulit et trito fulgentem in limine plantaminnixa arguta constituit solea,coniugis ut quondam flagrans advenit amoreProtesilaeam Laodamia domuminceptam frustra, nondum cum sanguine sacrohostia caelestis pacificasset eros.nil mihi tam valde placeat, Rhamnusia virgo,quod temere invitis suscipiatur eris.quam ieiuna pium desideret ara cruoremdocta est amisso Laodamia viro,coniugis ante coacta novi dimittere collumquam veniens una atque altera rursus hiemsnoctibus in longis avidum saturasset amorem,posset ut abrupto vivere coniugio:quod scibant Parcae non longo tempore abesse,si miles muros isset ad Iliacos:nam tum Helenae raptu primores Argivorumcoeperat ad sese Troia ciere viros,Troia (nefas) commune sepulcrum Asiae Europaeque,Troia virum et virtutum omnium acerba cinis:quaene etiam nostro letum miserabile fratriattulit. Hei misero frater adempte mihi,hei misero fratri iucundum lumen ademptum,tecum una tota est nostra sepulta domus,omnia tecum una perierunt gaudia nostra,quae tuus in vita dulcis alebat amor.quem nunc tam longe non inter nota sepulcranec prope cognatos compositum cineres,sed Troia obscena, Troia infelice sepultumdetinet extremo terra aliena solo.ad quam tum properans fertur simul undique pubesGraeca penetralis deseruisse focos,ne Paris abducta gavisus libera moechaotia pacato degeret in thalamo.quo tibi tum casu, pulcherrima Laodamia,ereptum est vita dulcius atque animaconiugium: tanto te absorbens vertice amorisaestus in abruptum detulerat barathrum,quale ferunt Grai Pheneum prope Cylleneumsiccare emulsa pingue palude solum,quod quondam caesis montis fodisse medullisaudit falsiparens Amphitryoniades,tempore quo certa Stymphalia monstra sagittaperculit imperio deterioris eri,pluribus ut caeli tereretur ianua divis,Hebe nec longa virginitate foret.sed tuus altus amor barathro fuit altior illo,qui tunc indomitam ferre iugum docuit.nam nec tam carum confecto aetate parentiuna caput seri nata nepotis alit,qui, cum divitiis vix tandem inventus avitisnomen testatas intulit in tabulas,impia derisi gentilis gaudia tollenssuscitat a cano vulturium capiti:nec tantum niveo gavisa est ulla columbocompar, quae multo dicitur improbiusoscula mordenti semper decerpere rostroquam quae praecipue multivola est mulier:sed tu horum magnos vicisti sola furores,ut semel es flavo conciliata viro.aut nihil aut paulo cui tum concedere dignalux mea se nostrum contulit in gremium,quam circumcursans hinc illinc saepe Cupidofulgebat crocina candidus in tunica.quae tamenetsi uno non est contenta Catullo,rara verecundae furta feremus erae,ne nimium simus stultorum more molesti:saepe etiam Iuno, maxima caelicolum,coniugis in culpa flagrantem concoquit iramnoscens omnivoli plurima furta Iovis.atqui nec divis homines componier aequum est……ingratum tremuli tolle parentis onus.nec tamen illa mihi dextra deducta paternafragrantem Assyrio venit odore domum,sed furtiva dedit mira munuscula nocteipsius ex ipso dempta viri gremio.quare illud satis est, si nobis is datur unisquem lapide illa diem candidiore notat.hoc tibi quod potui confectum carmine munuspro multis, Alli, redditur officiis,ne vestrum scabra tangat robigine nomenhaec atque illa dies atque alia atque alia.huc addent divi quam plurima, quae Themis olimantiquis solita est munera ferre piis:sitis felices et tu simul et tua vitaet domus, in qua nos lusimus et domina,et qui principio nobis † terram dedit aufert,a quo sunt primo omnia nata bona,et longe ante omnes mihi quae me carior ipso est,lux mea, qua viva vivere dulce mihi est.
Wonder not blatantly why no woman shall ever be willing(Rufus!) her tender thigh under thyself to bestow,Not an thou tempt her full by bribes of the rarest garments,Or by the dear delights gems the pellucidest deal.Harms thee an ugly tale wherein of thee is recordedHorrible stench of the goat under thine arm-pits be lodged.All are in dread thereof; nor wonder this, for ’tis evilBeastie, nor damsel fair ever thereto shall succumb.So do thou either kill that cruel pest o’ their noses,Or at their reason of flight blatantly wondering cease.
Noli admirari quare tibi femina nulla,Rufe, velit tenerum supposuisse femur,non si illam rarae labefactes munere vestisaut perluciduli deliciis lapidis.laedit te quaedam mala fabula, qua tibi ferturvalle sub alarum trux habitare caper.hunc metuunt omnes. neque mirum: nam mala valde estbestia, nec quicum bella puella cubet.quare aut crudelem nasorum interfice pestem,aut admirari desine cur fugiunt.
Never, my woman oft says, with any of men will she mate be,Save wi’ my own very self, ask her though Jupiter deign!Says she: but womanly words that are spoken to desireful loverOught to be written on wind or upon water that runs.
Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere mallequam mihi, non si se Iuppiter ipse petat.dicit: sed mulier cupido quod dicit amantiin vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.
An of a goat-stink damned from armpits fusty one suffer,Or if a crippling gout worthily any one rack,’Tis that rival o’ thine who lief in loves of you meddles,And, by a wondrous fate, gains him the twain of such ills.For that, oft as he …, so oft that penance be two-fold;Stifles her stench of goat, he too is kilt by his gout.
Si cui iure bono sacer alarum obstitit hircus,aut si quem merito tarda podagra secat,Aemulus iste tuus, qui vestrum exercet amorem,mirifice est a te nactus utrumque malum.nam quotiens futuit totiens ulciscitur ambos:illam adfligit odore, ipse perit podagra.
Wont thou to vaunt whilòme of, knowing only Catullus(Lesbia!) nor to prefer Jupiter’s self to myself.Then, too, I loved thee well, not as vulgar wretch his mistressBut as a father his sons loves and his sons by the law.Now have I learnt thee aright; wherefor though burn I the hotter,Lighter and viler by far thou unto me hast become.“How can this be?” dost ask:’tis that such injury everForces the hotter to love, also the less well to will.
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror,multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.qui potis est? inquis. quod amantem iniuria taliscogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
Cease thou of any to hope desirèd boon of well-willing,Or deem any shall prove pious and true to his dues.Waxes the world ingrate, no deed benevolent profits,Nay full oft it irks even offending the more:Such is my case whom none maltreats more grievously bitter,Than does the man that me held one and only to friend.
Desine de quoquam quicquam bene velle mereriaut aliquem fieri posse putare pium.omnia sunt ingrata, nihil fecisse benigne:immo etiam taedet, taedet obestque magis:ut mihi, quem nemo gravius nec acerbius urgetQuam modo qui me unum atque unicum amicum habuit.
Wont was Gellius hear his uncle rich in reproaches,When any ventured aught wanton in word or in deed.Lest to him chance such befall, his uncle’s consort seduced he,And of his uncle himself fashioned an Harpocrates.What so he willed did he; and nowdays albe his uncle… he, no word ever that uncle shall speak.
Gellius audierat patruum obiurgare solere,si quis delicias diceret aut faceret.hoc ne ipsi accideret, patrui perdepsuit ipsamuxorem et patruum reddidit Harpocratem.quod voluit fecit: nam, quamvis irrumet ipsumnunc patruum, verbum non faciet patruus.
Now is my mind to a pass, my Lesbia, brought by thy treason,So in devotion to thee lost is the duty self due,Nor can I will thee well if best of women thou prove thee,Nor can I cease to love, do thou what doings thou wilt.
Huc est mens deducta tua, mea Lesbia, culpa,atque ita se officio perdidit ipsa suo,ut iam nec bene velle queat tibi, si optuma fias,nec desistere amare, omnia si facias.
If to remember deeds whilòme well done be a pleasureMeet for a man who deems all of his dealings be just,Nor Holy Faith ever broke nor in whatever his compactSanction of Gods abused better to swindle mankind,Much there remains for thee during length of living, Catullus,Out of that Love ingrate further to solace thy soul;For whatever of good can mortal declare of anotherOr can avail he do, such thou hast said and hast done;While to a thankless mind entrusted all of them perisht.Why, then, crucify self now with a furthering pain?Why not steady thy thoughts and draw thee back from such purpose,Ceasing wretched to be maugrè the will of the Gods?Difficult ’tis indeed long Love to depose of a sudden,Difficult ’tis, yet do e’en as thou deem to be best.This be thy safe-guard sole; this conquest needs to be conquered;This thou must do, thus act, whether thou cannot or can.If an ye have (O Gods!) aught ruth, or if you for anyBring at the moment of death latest assistance to man,Look upon me (poor me!) and, should I be cleanly of living,Out of my life deign pluck this my so pestilent plague,Which as a lethargy o’er mine inmost vitals a-creeping,Hath from my bosom expelled all of what joyance it joyed,Now will I crave no more she love me e’en as I love her,Nor (impossible chance!) ever she prove herself chaste:Would I were only healed and shed this fulsome disorder.Oh Gods, grant me this boon unto my piety due!
Si qua recordanti benefacta priora voluptasest homini, cum se cogitat esse pium,nec sanctam violasse fidem, nec foedere in ullodivum ad fallendos numine abusum homines,multa parata manent in longa aetate, Catulle,ex hoc ingrato gaudia amore tibi.nam quaecumque homines bene cuiquam aut dicere possuntaut facere, haec a te dictaque factaque sunt:omnia quae ingratae perierunt credita menti.quare cur tu te iam amplius excrucies?quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reduciset dis invitis desinis esse miser?difficile est longum subito deponere amorem;difficile est, verum hoc qua libet efficias.una salus haec est, hoc est tibi pervincendum;hoc facias, sive id non pote sive pote.o di, si vestrum est misereri, aut si quibus unquamextremam iam ipsa in morte tulistis opem,me miserum adspicite et, si vitam puriter egi,eripite hanc pestem perniciemque mihi!hei mihi subrepens imos ut torpor in artusexpulit ex omni pectore laetitias.non iam illud quaero, contra ut me diligat illa,aut, quod non potis est, esse pudica velit:ipse valere opto et taetrum hunc deponere morbum.o di, reddite mi hoc pro pietate mea.
Rufus, trusted as friend by me, so fruitlessly, vainly,(Vainly? nay to my bane and at a ruinous price!)Hast thou cajoled me thus, and enfiring innermost vitals,Ravished the whole of our good own’d by wretchedest me?Ravished; (alas and alas!) of our life thou cruellest cruelVenom, (alas and alas!) plague of our friendship and pest.
Rufe mihi frustra ac nequiquam credite amice(frustra? immo magno cum pretio atque malo),sicine subrepsti mi atque intestina perurenshei misero eripuisti omnia nostra bona?eripuisti, eheu nostrae crudele venenumvitae, eheu nostrae pestis amicitiae.
Gallus hath brothers in pair, this owning most beautiful consort,While unto that is given also a beautiful son.Gallus is charming as man; for sweet loves ever conjoins he,So that the charming lad sleep wi’ the charmer his lass.Gallus is foolish wight, nor self regards he as husband,When being uncle how nuncle to cuckold he show.Yet must I now lament that lips so pure of the purestDamsel, thy slaver foul soiled with filthiest kiss.But ne’er hope to escape scot free; for thee shall all agesKnow, and what thing thou be, Fame, the old crone, shall declare.
Gallus habet fratres, quorum est lepidissima coniunxalterius, lepidus filius alterius.Gallus homo est bellus: nam dulces iungit amores,cum puero ut bello bella puella cubet.Gallus homo est stultus nec se videt esse maritum,qui patruus patrui monstret adulterium.……Sed nunc id doleo quod purae pura puellaesavia comminxit spurca saliva tua.verum id non impune feres: nam te omnia saeclanoscent et qui sis fama loquetur anus.
Lesbius is beauty-man: why not? when Lesbia wills himBetter, Catullus, than thee backed by the whole of thy clan.Yet may that beauty-man sell all his clan with Catullus,An of three noted names greeting salute he can gain.
Lesbius est pulcher: quid ni? quem Lesbia malitquam te cum tota gente, Catulle, tua.sed tamen hic pulcher vendat cum gente Catullum,si tria notorum savia reppererit.
How shall I (Gellius!) tell what way lips rosy as thine areCome to be bleached and blanched whiter than wintry snow,When as thou quittest the house a-morn, and at two after noon-tideRoused from quiet repose, wakest for length of the day?Certès sure am I not an Rumour rightfully whisper………
Quid dicam, Gelli, quare rosea ista labellaHiberna fiant candidiora nive,mane domo cum exis et cum te octava quietee molli longo suscitat hora die?nescio quid certe est: an vere fama susurratgrandia te medii tenta vorare viri?sic certe est: clamant Victoris rupta miselliilia, et emulso labra notata sero.
Could there never be found in folk so thronging (Juventius!)Any one charming thee whom thou couldst fancy to love,Save and except that host from deadliest site of Pisaurum,Wight than a statue gilt wanner and yellower-hued,Whom to thy heart thou takest and whom thou darest before usChoose? But villain what deed doest thou little canst wot!
Nemone in tanto potuit populo esse, Iuventi,bellus homo quem tu diligere inciperespraeterquam iste tuus moribunda ab sede Pisaurihospes inaurata pallidior statua?qui tibi nunc cordi est, quem tu praeponere nobisaudes et nescis quod facinus facias.
Quintius! an thou wish that Catullus should owe thee his eyesOr aught further if aught dearer can be than his eyes,Thou wilt not ravish from him what deems he dearer and nearerE’en than his eyes if aught dearer there be than his eyes.
Quinti, si tibi vis oculos debere Catullumaut aliud si quid carius est oculis,eripere ei noli multo quod carius illiest oculis seu quid carius est oculis.
Lesbia heaps upon me foul words her mate being present;Which to that simple soul causes the fullest delight.Mule! naught sensest thou: did she forget us in silence,Whole she had been; but now what so she rails and she snarls,Not only dwells in her thought, but worse and even more risky,Wrathful she bides. Which means, she is afire and she fumes.
Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.mule, nihil sentis. si nostri oblita taceret,sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res,irata est: hoc est, uritur et loquitur.
Wontis Arrius say “Chommodious” whenas “commodious”Means he, and “Insidious” aspirate “Hinsidious,”What time flattering self he speaks with marvellous purity,Clamouring “Hinsidious” loudly as ever he can.Deem I thus did his dame and thus-wise Liber his uncleSpeak, and on spindle-side grandsire and grandmother too.Restful reposed all ears when he was sent into Syria,Hearing the self-same words softly and smoothly pronouncèd,Nor any feared to hear such harshness uttered thereafter,Whenas a sudden came message of horrible news,Namely th’ lonian waves when Arrius thither had wended,Were “lonian” no more—they had “Hionian” become.
Chommoda dicebat, si quando commode velletdicere, et insidias Arrius hinsidias,et tum mirifice sperabat se esse locutumcum quantum poterat dixerat hinsidias.credo, sic mater, sic liber avunculus eius,sic maternus avus dixerat atque aviahoc misso in Syriam requierant omnibus aures:audibant eadem haec leniter et leviter,nec sibi postilla metuebant talia verba,cum subito adfertur nuntius horribilisIonios fluctus, postquam illuc Arrius isset,iam non Ionios esse, sed Hionios.
Hate I, and love I. Haps thou’lt ask me wherefore I do so.Wot I not, yet so I do feeling a torture of pain.
Odi et amo. quare id faciam fortasse requirisnescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.
Quintia beautiful seems to the crowd; to me, fair, and tall,Straight; and merits as these readily thus I confess,But that she is beauteous all I deny, for nothing of lovesome,Never a grain of salt, shows in her person so large.Lesbia beautiful seems, and when all over she’s fairest,Any Venus-gift stole she from every one.
Quintia formosa est multis, mihi candida, longa,recta est. haec ego sic singula confiteor,totum illud “formosa” nego: nam nulla venustas,nulla in tam magno est corpore mica salis.Lesbia formosa est, quae cum pulcherrima tota est,tum omnibus una omnis subripuit Veneres.
Never a woman could call herself so fondly belovedTruly as Lesbia mine has been beloved of myself.Never were Truth and Faith so firm in any one compactAs on the part of me kept I my love to thyself.
Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatamvere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea esnulla fides ullo fuit unquam in foedere tantaquanta in amore tuo ex parte reperta mea est.
What may he (Gellius!) do that ever for mother and sisterItches and wakes thro’ the nights, working wi’ tunic bedoffed?What may he do who nills his uncle ever be husband?Wottest thou how much he ventures of sacrilege-sin?Ventures he (O Gellius!) what ne’er can ultimate TethysWash from his soul, nor yet Ocean, watery sire.For that of sin there’s naught wherewith this sin can exceed he… his head on himself.
Quid facit is, Gelli, qui cum matre atque sororeprurit et abiectis pervigilat tunicis?quid facit is patruum qui non sinit esse maritum?ecquid scis quantum suscipiat sceleris?suscipit, o Gelli, quantum non ultima Tethysnec genitor nympharum abluit Oceanus:nam nihil est quicquam sceleris quo prodeat ultra,non si demisso se ipse voret capite.
Gellius is lean: Why not? For him so easy a motherLives, and a sister so boon, bonny and buxom to boot,Uncle so kindly good and all things full of his lady-Cousins, how can he cease leanest of lankies to be?Albeit, touch he naught save that whose touch is a scandal,Soon shall thou find wherefor he be as lean as thou like.
Gellius est tenuis: quid ni? cui tam bona matertamque valens vivat tamque venusta sorortamque bonus patruus tamque omnia plena puelliscognatis, quare is desinat esse macer?qui ut nihil attingat, nisi quod fas tangere non est,quantumvis quare sit macer invenies.
Born be a Magus, got by Gellius out of his mother(Marriagenefand!) who shall Persian augury learn.Needs it a Magus begot of son upon mother who bare him,If that impious faith, Persian religion be fact,So may their issue adore busy gods with recognised versesMelting in altar-flame fatness contained by the caul.
Nascatur magus ex Gelli matrisque nefandoconiugio et discat Persicum haruspicium:nam magus ex matre et gnato gignatur oportet,si vera est Persarum impia religio,gratus ut accepto veneretur carmine divosomentum in flamma pingue liquefaciens.
Not for due cause I hoped to find thee (Gellius!) faithfulIn this saddest our love, love that is lost and forlore,Or fro’ my wotting thee well or ever believing thee constant,Or that thy mind could reject villany ever so vile,But that because was she to thyself nor mother nor sister,This same damsel whose Love me in its greatness devoured.Yet though I had been joined wi’ thee by amplest of usance,Still could I never believe this was sufficient of cause.Thou diddest deem it suffice: so great is thy pleasure in everyCrime wherein may be found somewhat enormous of guilt.
Non ideo, Gelli, sperabam te mihi fidumin misero hoc nostro, hoc perdito amore forequod te cognossem bene constantemve putaremaut posse a turpi mentem inhibere probro,sed neque quod matrem nec germanam esse videbamhanc tibi cuius me magnus edebat amor;et quamvis tecum multo coniungerer usu,non satis id causae credideram esse tibi.tu satis id duxti: tantum tibi gaudium in omniculpa est in quacumque est aliquid sceleris.
Lesbia naggeth at me evermore and ne’er is she silentTouching myself: May I die but that by Lesbia I’m loved.What be the proof? I rail and retort like her and revile herCarefully, yet may I die but that I love her with love.
Lesbia mi dicit semper male nec tacet unquamde me: Lesbia me dispeream nisi amat.quo signo? quia sunt totidem mea: deprecor illamadsidue, verum dispeream nisi amo.
Study I not o’ermuch to please thee (Caesar!) and court thee,Nor do I care e’en to know an thou be white or be black.
Nil nimium studeo, Caesar, tibi velle placere,nec scire utrum sis albus an ater homo.
Mentula wooeth much: much wooeth he, be assurèd.That is, e’en as they say, the Pot gathers leeks for the pot.
Mentula moechatur. moechatur mentula certe.hoc est quod dicunt, ipsa olera olla legit.
“Zmyrna” begun erstwhile nine harvests past by my CinnaPublisht appears when now nine of his winters be gone;Thousands fifty of lines meanwhile Hortensius in single…“Zmyrna” shall travel afar as the hollow breakers of Satrax,“Zmyrna” by ages grey lastingly shall be perused.But upon Padus’ brink shall die Volusius his annalsAnd to the mackerel oft loose-fitting jacket afford.Dear to my heart are aye the lightest works of my comrade,Leave I the mob to enjoy tumidest Antimachus.
Zmyrna mei Cinnae nonam post denique messemquam coepta est nonamque edita post hiemem,milia cum interea quingenta Hortensius uno…Zmyrna cavas Satrachi penitus mittetur ad undas,Zmyrnam cana diu saecula pervolvent.at Volusi annales Paduam morientur ad ipsamet laxas scombris saepe dabunt tunicas.parva mei mihi sint cordi monumenta sodalis:at populus tumido gaudeat Antimacho.
If to the dumb deaf tomb can aught or grateful or pleasing(Calvus!) ever accrue rising from out of our dule,Wherewith yearning desire renews our loves in the bygone,And for long friendships lost many a tear must be shed;Certès, never so much for doom of premature death-dayMust thy Quintilia mourn as she is joyed by thy love.
Si quicquam mutis gratum acceptumve sepulcrisaccidere a nostro, Calve, dolore potest,quo desiderio veteres renovamus amoresatque olim missas flemus amicitias,certe non tanto mors immatura dolori estQuintiliae, quantum gaudet amore tuo.
Never (so love me the Gods!) deemed I ’twas preference matterOr Aemilius’ mouth choose I to smell or his …Nothing is this more clean, uncleaner nothing that other,Yet I ajudge … cleaner and nicer to be;For while this one lacks teeth, that one has cubit-long tushes,Set in their battered gums favouring a muddy old box,Not to say aught of gape like wide-cleft gap of a she-muleWhenas in summer-heat wont peradventure to stale.Yet has he many a motte and holds himself to be handsome—Why wi’ the baker’s ass is he not bound to the mill?Him if a damsel kiss we fain must think she be readyWith her fair lips …
Non (ita me di ament) quicquam referre putaviutrumne os an culum olfacerem Aemilio.nilo mundius hoc, nihiloque immundius illud,verum etiam culus mundior et melior:nam sine dentibus est. hoc dentis sesquipedalis,gingivas vero ploxeni habet veteris,praeterea rictum qualem diffissus in aestumeientis mulae cunnus habere solet.hic futuit multas et se facit esse venustum,et non pistrino traditur atque asino?quem si qua attingit, non illam posse putemusaegroti culum lingere carnificis?
Rightly of thee may be said, an of any, (thou stinkingest Victius!)Whatso wont we to say touching the praters and prigs.Thou wi’ that tongue o’ thine own, if granted occasion availestBrogues of the cowherds to kiss, also their …Wouldst thou undo us all with a thorough undoing (O Victius!)Open thy gape:—thereby all shall be wholly undone.
In te, si in quemquam, dici pose, putide Victi,id quod verbosis dicitur et fatuis:ista cum lingua, si usus veniat tibi, possisculos et crepidas lingere carpatinas.si nos omnino vis omnes perdere, Victi,hiscas: omnino quod cupis efficies.
E’en as thou played’st, from thee snatched I (O honied Juventius!)Kissletof savour so sweet sweetest Ambrosia unknows.Yet was the theft nowise scot-free, for more than an hour IClearly remember me fixt hanging from crest of the Cross,Whatwhile I purged my sin unto thee nor with any weepingTittle of cruel despite such as be thine could I ’bate.For that no sooner done thou washed thy liplets with manyDrops which thy fingers did wipe, using their every joint,Lest of our mouths conjoined remain there aught by the contactLike unto slaver foul shed by the butterèd bun.Further, wretchedmost me betrayed to unfriendliest Love-godNever thou ceased’st to pain hurting with every harm,So that my taste be turned and kisses ambrosial erstwhileEven than hellebore-juice bitterest bitterer grow.Seeing such pangs as these prepared for unfortunate lover,After this never again kiss will I venture to snatch.
Subripui tibi, dum ludis, mellite Iuventi,saviolum dulci dulcius ambrosia.verum id non impune tuli: namque amplius horamsuffixum in summa me memini esse cruce,dum tibi me purgo nec possum fletibus ullistantillum vestrae demere saevitiae.nam simul id factum est, multis diluta labellaguttis abstersisti omnibus articulis,ne quicquam nostro contractum ex ore maneret,tanquam commictae spurca saliva lupae.praeterea infesto miserum me tradere Amorinon cessasti omnique excruciare modo,ut mi ex ambrosia mutatum iam fores illudsaviolum tristi tristius elleboro.quam quoniam poenam misero proponis amori,nunquam iam posthac basia subripiam.
Caelius Aufilénus and Quintius Aufiléna,Love to the death, both swains bloom of the youth Veronese,This woo’d brother and that sue’d sister: so might the matterClaim to be titled wi’ sooth fairest fraternalest tie.Whom shall I favour the first? Thee (Caelius!) for thou hast provèdSingular friendship to us shown by the deeds it has done,Whenas the flames insane had madded me, firing my marrow:Caelius! happy be thou; ever be lusty in love.
Caelius Aufilenum et Quintius Aufilenamflos Veronensum depereunt iuvenum,hic fratrem, ille sororem. hoc est quod dicitur illudfraternum vere dulce sodalicium.cui faveam potius? Caeli, tibi: nam tua nobisper facta exhibita est unica amicitiacum vesana meas torreret flamma medullas.sis felix, Caeli, sis in amore potens.
Faring thro’ many a folk and plowing many a sea-plainThese sad funeral-rites (Brother!) to deal thee I come,So wi’ the latest boons to the dead bestowed I may gift thee,And I may vainly address ashes that answer have none,Sithence of thee, very thee, to deprive me Fortune behested,Woe for thee, Brother forlore! Cruelly severed fro’ me.…Yet in the meanwhile now what olden usage of forbearsBrings as the boons that befit mournfullest funeral rites,Thinebe these gifts which flow with tear-flood shed by thy brother,And, for ever and aye (Brother!) all hail and farewell.
Multas per gentes et multa per aequora vectusadvenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias,ut te postremo donarem munere mortiset mutam nequiquam adloquerer cinerem,quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum,heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi.nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentumtradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias,accipe fraterno multum manantia fletuatque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.
If by confiding friend aught e’er be trusted in silence,Unto a man whose mind known is for worthiest trust,Me shalt thou find no less than such to secrecy oath-bound,(Cornelius!) and now hold me an Harpocrates.
Si quicquam tacito commissum est fido ab amicocuius sit penitus nota fides animi,meque esse invenies illorum iure sacratum,Corneli, et factum me esse puta Harpocratem.
Or, d’ye hear, refund those ten sestertia (Silo!)Then be thou e’en at thy will surly and savage o’ mood:Or, an thou love o’er-well those moneys, prithee no longerProve thee a pimp and withal surly and savage o’ mood.
Aut sodes mihi redde decem sestertia, Silo,deinde esto quamvis saevus et indomitus:aut, si te nummi deIectant, desine quaesoLeno esse atque idem saevus et indomitus.
Canst thou credit that I could avail to revile my life-love,She who be dearer to me even than either my eyes?Ne’er could I, nor an I could, should I so losingly love her:But with Tappo thou dost design every monstrous deed.
Credis me potuisse meae maledicere vitae,ambobus mihi quae carior est oculis?non potui, nec, si possem, tam perdite amarem:sed tu cum Tappone omnia monstra facis.
Mentula fain would ascend Pipléan mountain up-mounting:Pitch him the Muses down headlong wi’ forklets a-hurled.
Mentula conatur Pipleum scandere montem:Musae furcillis praecipitem eiciunt.
When with a pretty-faced boy we see one playing the Crier,What can we wot except longs he for selling the same?
Cum puero bello praeconem qui videt esse,quid credat, nisi se vendere discupere?
An to one ever accrue any boon he lusted and longed forAny time after despair, grateful it comes to his soul.Thus ’tis grateful to us nor gold was ever so goodly,When thou restorest thyself (Lesbia!) to loving-most me,Self thou restorest unhoped, and after despair thou returnest.Oh the fair light of a Day noted with notabler white!Where lives a happier man than myself or—this being won me—Who shall e’er boast that his life brought him more coveted lot?
Si cui quid cupido optantique obtigit unquaminsperanti, hoc est gratum animo proprie.quare hoc est gratum nobis quoque, carius auro,quod te restituis, Lesbia, mi cupido:restituis cupido atque insperanti, ipsa refers tenobis. o lucem candidiore nota!quis me uno vivit felicior, aut magis hac resoptandas vita dicere quis poterit?
If by the verdict o’ folk thy hoary old age(O Cominius!)Filthy with fulsomest lust ever be doomed to the death,Make I no manner of doubt but first thy tongue to the worthyEver a foe, cut out, ravening Vulture shall feed;Gulp shall the Crow’s black gorge those eye-balls dug from their sockets,Guts of thee go to the dogs, all that remains to the wolves.
Si, Comini, populi arbitrio tua cana senectusspurcata impuris moribus intereat,non equidem dubito quin primum inimica bonorumlingua exsecta avido sit data vulturio,effossos oculos voret atro gutture corvus,intestina canes, cetera membra lupi.
Gladsome to me, O my life, this love whose offer thou deignestBetween us twain lively and lusty to last soothfast.(Great Gods!) grant ye the boon that prove her promises loyal,Saying her say in truth spoken with spirit sincere;So be it lawful for us to protract through length of our life-tideMutual pact of our love, pledges of holy good will!
Iucundum, mea vita, mihi proponis amoremhunc nostrum inter nos perpetuumque fore.di magni, facite ut vere promittere possitatque id sincere dicat et ex animo,ut liceat nobis tota perducere vitaaeternum hoc sanctae foedus amicitiae.
Aufiléna! for aye good lasses are lauded as loyal:Price of themselves they accept when they intend to perform.All thou promised’st me in belying proves thee unfriendly,For never giving and oft taking is deed illy done.Either as honest to grant, or modest as never to promise,Aufiléna! were fair, but at the gifties to clutchFraudfully, viler seems than greed of greediest harlotWho with her every limb maketh a whore of herself.
Aufilena, bonae semper laudantur amicae:accipiunt pretium quod facere instituunt.tu, quod promisti mihi, quod mentita, inimica es;quod nec das et fers saepe, facts facinus.aut facere ingenuae est, aut non promisse pudicae,Aufilena, fuit: sed data corriperefraudando † efficit plus quam meretricis avarae,quae sese toto corpore prostituit.
Aufiléna! to live content with only one husband,Praise is and truest of praise ever bestowed upon wife.Yet were it liefer to lie any wise with any for lover,Than to be breeder of boys uncle as cousins begat.
Aufilena, viro contentam vivere solonuptarum laus e laudibus eximiis:sed cuivis quamvis potius succumbere par estquam matrem fratres ex patruo parere.
Great th’art (Naso!) as man, nor like thee many in greatnessLower themselves (Naso!): great be thou, pathic to boot.
Multus homo est, Naso, neque tecum multus homo est quidescendit: Naso, multus es et pathicus.
Pompey first being chosen Consul, twofold (O Cinna!)Men for amours were famed: also when chosen againTwo they remained; but now is each one grown to a thousandGallants:—fecundate aye springeth adultery’s seed.
Consule Pompeio primum duo, Cinna, solebantMaeciliam: facto consule nunc iterummanserunt duo, sed creverunt milia in unumsingula. fecundum semen adulterio.
For yon Firmian domain not falsely Mentula hight isRichard, owning for self so manyexcellent things—Fish, fur, feather, all kinds, with prairie, corn-land, and ferals.All no good: for th’ outgoing, income immensely exceeds.Therefore his grounds be rich own I, while he’s but a pauper.Laud we thy land while thou lackest joyance thereof.
Firmanus saltu non falso Mentula divesfertur, qui tot res in se habet egregias,aucupium omne genus, piscis, prata, arva, ferasque.nequiquam: fructus sumptibus exsuperat.quare concedo sit dives, dum omnia desint;saltum laudemus, dum domo ipse egeat.
Mentula! masterest thou some thirty acres of grasslandFull told, forty of field soil; others are sized as the sea.Why may he not surpass in his riches any a CrœsusWho in his one domain owns such abundance of good,Grasslands, arable fields, vast woods and forest and marishYonder to Boreal-bounds trenching on Ocean tide?Great are indeed all these, but thou by far be the greatest,Never a man, but a great Mentula of menacing might.
Mentula habet iuxta triginta iugera prati,quadraginta arvi: cetera sunt maria.cur non divitiis Croesum superare potis situno qui in saltu tot bona possideat,prata, arva, ingentis silvas saltusque paludesqueusque ad Hyperboreos et mare ad Oceanum?omnia magna haec sunt, tamen ipse est maximus ultro,non homo, sed vero mentula magna minax.
Seeking often in mind with spirit eager of studyHow I could send thee songs chaunted of Battiadés,So thou be softened to us, nor any attempting thou ventureShot of thy hostile shaft piercing me high as its head,—Now do I ken this toil with vainest purpose was taken,(Gellius!) nor herein aughthave our prayers availèd.Therefore we’ll parry with cloak what shafts thou shootest against us;And by our bolts transfixt, penalty due thou shalt pay.
Saepe tibi studioso animo venante requirenscarmina uti possem mittere Battiadaequi te lenirem nobis, neu conareretela infesta mihi mittere in usque caput,hunc video mihi nunc frustra sumptum esse laborem,Gelli, nec nostras hic valuisse preces.contra nos tela ista tua evitamus amictu:at fixus nostris tu dabis supplicium.