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.
CATULLUSMy 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.
CATULLUSTo whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?
CATULLUSThe confounding of all right and wrong, in wild fury, has averted from us the gracious favor of the gods.
CATULLUSBut you shall not escape my iambics.
CATULLUSWhat a woman says to an eager lover, write it on running water, write it on air.
CATULLUSThe vows that woman makes to her fond lover are only fit to be written on air or on the swiftly passing stream.
CATULLUSEvery one has his faults: but we do not see the wallet on our own backs.
CATULLUSThere is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh.
CATULLUSAway with you, water, destruction of wine!
CATULLUSFor the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.
CATULLUSGive up wanting to deserve any thanks from anyone, or thinking anybody can be grateful.
CATULLUSStop wishing to merit anyone’s gratitude or thinking that anyone can become grateful.
CATULLUSI write of youth, of love, and have access by these to sing of cleanly wantonness.
CATULLUSWe see not our own backs.
CATULLUSGive me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then a thousand more.
CATULLUSAway with you, water, destruction of wine!
CATULLUS