Catullus 50
by Catullus, translated from Latin by Wikisource

Hendecasyllabic.

119360Catullus 50Catullus
Literal English Translation Original Latin Line

Yesterday, Licinius, at leisure
we played much on my tablets,
as it was agreed that [we] would be self-indulgent:
each of us writing our lines of poetry
was playing, now in this meter, now in that one,
delivering lines in turn while laughing and [drinking] wine.
And I left from there [so] inflamed
by your charm and wit, Licinius,
that neither did food placate poor me
nor did sleep shut my little eyes in peace,
but rather I tossed about on the whole couch
from uncontrollable spasms, wishing to see the light,
so that I could speak with you and at the same time be with you.
My half-dead limbs lay strewn across the couch
exhausted by their exertion,
but, delightful [friend], I made [this] poem for you,
from which you might discern my sorrow.
Now beware of over-confidence, and we beg you,
beware of spitting upon our prayers, [my] little jewel,
lest Nemesis exact punishment on you.
She is a powerful goddess: beware of displeasing [her].

Hesternō, Licinī, diē ōtiōsī
multum lūsimus in meīs tabellīs,
ut convēnerat esse dēlicātōs:
scrībēns versiculōs uterque nostrum
lūdēbat numerō modo hōc modo illōc,
reddēns mūtua per iocum atque vīnum.
Atque illinc abiī tuō lepōre
incēnsus, Licinī, facētiīsque,
ut nec mē miserum cibus iuvāret
nec somnus tegeret quiēte ocellōs,
sed tōtō indomitus furōre lēctō
versārer, cupiēns vidēre lūcem,
ut tēcum loquerer simulque ut essem.
At dēfessa labōre membra postquam
sēmimortua lectulō iacēbant,
hoc, iūcunde, tibī poēma fēcī,
ex quō perspicerēs meum dolōrem.
Nunc audāx cave sīs, precēsque nostrās,
ōrāmus, cave dēspuās, ocelle,
nē poenās Nemesis reposcat ā tē.
Est vēmēns dea: laedere hanc cavētō.

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