So a maiden, whilst she remains untouched, so long is she dear to her own; when she has lost her chaste flower with sullied body, she remains neither lovely to boys nor dear to girls.
CATULLUSNow Spring restores the balmy heat, now Zephyr’s sweet breezes calm the rage of the equinoctial sky.
More Catullus Quotes
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I hate and I love. Perchance you ask why I do that. I know not, but I feel that I do and I am tortured. [Lat., Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.]
CATULLUS -
What women say to lovers, you’ll agree, One writes on running water or on air.
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Now Spring restores the balmy heat, now Zephyr’s sweet breezes calm the rage of the equinoctial sky.
CATULLUS -
Better a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.
CATULLUS -
I can imagine no greater misfortune for a cultured people than to see in the hands of the rulers not only the civil, but also the religious power.
CATULLUS -
My lady’s sparrow is dead, the sparrow which was my lady’s delight
CATULLUS -
The vows that woman makes to her fond lover are only fit to be written on air or on the swiftly passing stream.
CATULLUS -
Stop wishing to merit anyone’s gratitude or thinking that anyone can become grateful.
CATULLUS -
My mind’s sunk so low, Claudia, because of you, wrecked itself on your account so bad already, that I couldn’t like you if you were the best of women, -or stop loving you, no matter what you do.
CATULLUS -
To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?
CATULLUS -
What a woman says to an eager lover, write it on running water, write it on air.
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Every one has his faults: but we do not see the wallet on our own backs.
CATULLUS -
But you shall not escape my iambics.
CATULLUS -
We see not our own backs.
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Away with you, water, destruction of wine!
CATULLUS