The Mathematics of Catullus
Ode 7.
“Quaeris quot mihi basiationes
Tuae, Lesbia, sint satis, superque?”
Tuae, Lesbia, sint satis, superque?”
Lesbia, you would have me state
What the number is
Of the times to osculate.
Let your pote approximate,
Namely, t’wit, and viz:
What the number is
Of the times to osculate.
Let your pote approximate,
Namely, t’wit, and viz:
Lesbia, count the sands that lie
On the spicy shore;
Sum the stars that in the sky
Coruscate; and multiply
That by thousands more—
On the spicy shore;
Sum the stars that in the sky
Coruscate; and multiply
That by thousands more—
That, O sweetest of your sex,
Fails the full amount.
Let the total number vex
All the jealous rubbernex
Trying to keep count!
Fails the full amount.
Let the total number vex
All the jealous rubbernex
Trying to keep count!
37
