Catullus: Expanded Edition

CATULLUS EXPANDED EDITION HENRY V. BENDER, PHD & PHYLLIS YOUNG FORSYTH, PHD

Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc. Wauconda, Illinois USA

General Editor: LeaAnn A. Osburn Cover Design & Typography: Adam Phillip Velez Cover & Title Page Illustration: Girl with pigeons, fi fth century BC Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Catullus: Expanded Edition Henry V. Bender & Phyllis Young Forsyth

© 2005 Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved Reprinted with corrections 2006 Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc. 1000 Brown Street, Unit 101 Wauconda, Illinois 60084 www.bolchazy.com Printed in the United States of America

2006 by United Graphics

ISBN-13: 978-0-86516-603-5 ISBN-10: 0-86516-603-X ——————————————————————————————— Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Catullus, Gaius Valerius. [Selections. 2005] Catullus / [edited by] Henry V. Bender & Phyllis Forsyth.-- Expanded ed. p. cm. A new and expanded edition of Catullus for the AP: a supplement published in 2004 and the original edition, Catullus: student text published in 1998. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN-13: 978-0-86516-603-5 ISBN-10: 0-86516-603-X (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Latin language--Readers. 2. Love poetry, Latin. 3. Epigrams, Latin. 4. Rome-Poetry. I. Bender, Henry V., 1945- II. Forsyth, Phyllis Young. III. Title. PA6274.A25 2005 874’.01--dc22 2005006819

CONTENTS Preface

v

An Introduction to Catullus

vii

Advanced Placement Syllabus, Catullus (2005–)

xi

Text of the Advanced Placement Poems with Notes and Vocabulary

01

Text Only of the Advanced Placement Poems

77

Appendix I: Additional Poems with Notes and Vocabulary

99

Appendix II: Meters

115

Appendix III: Figures of Speech

119

Glossary: Latin to English Vocabulary

123

PREFACE Since the publication of our first Catullus text in 1998, over 15,000 copies have been used. The numerous comments we have received from teachers and students who continue to choose our book for their threshold study of Catullus have informed our construction of the present volume. The goal of our text remains today what it was at the outset, namely “to assist and encourage the initial efforts of upper level high school or intermediate level college readers of Catullus to comprehend the poems which comprise the Advanced Placement* syllabus.” Our steadfast aim is to facilitate the student’s mastery of the grammar, vocabulary, and themes of the poetry. This new and expanded edition is a fusion of Catullus for the AP*: A Supplement published in 2004 and the original edition published in 1998. The addition of a text-only section has expanded this edition and provides the teacher and student with a recitation opportunity by which the poems may each be read in class without the presence of vocabulary prompts. The presence of such a text also provides easier opportunities for oral or written assessments of a student’s real mastery of the material. We have also placed the poems from the old syllabus which are not on the new syllabus in Appendix I. This feature will enable teachers to have easy access to familiar poems which, while not required in the new syllabus, are still very useful in revealing the personality and spirit of the poet. The Student Text begins with an introduction on what we know of Catullus’ life and background, essentially the foundation for reading the AP* selections. A brief head note introduces the text of each poem, which is accompanied by notes and a very full vocabulary. Verbs (except for deponents) have their fourth part in -um; all adjectives are listed with their nominative singular forms fitting the patterns -us-a-um or -is-e, etc. Our notes are brief and to the point. They are always aimed at fostering a lucid comprehension of the text under study. Our goal remains, as it was originally, to bring the text of Catullus to a student with a minimum of two years of Latin. As in the original edition, meters are identified with full explanation appearing in a separate appendix. A glossary of figures of speech with examples drawn from the poems of Catullus likewise appears as an appendix. Finally, a general vocabulary appears at the end of the book and is a collection of all the words we glossed. A new teacher’s manual to accompany this expanded edition will be forthcoming. The teacher’s manuals from the original edition and the supplement continue to be available and feature, with minor orthographic changes, the Latin text established by Mynors (Oxford 1958).** The poems in the Teacher’s Manuals are printed in large type so that they can be made into overhead transparencies for review or sight work in class. Such use permits fast review, prevents the student from constant dependence upon vocabulary glosses, and provides an easy text for testing and poem contrast or analysis. Literal prose translations of each poem are offered and tests by which to assess the students’ mastery of points of grammar, identification, meter, figures of speech, as well as the translation and comprehension of each poem are included. Essay questions, modeled on those encountered in AP.* Examinations, are also featured in the Teacher’s Manuals. The format of these tests replicates the format of the AP* examinations. Teachers can configure these sample tests to suit their own needs. A select bibliography completes the teachers’ manuals.

*AP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product. **This edition like its predecessors follows Mynors’ text with the following exceptions:14A line 16 we read Salse for False (Mynors); 64 line 73 quo for quo ex (Mynors); 64 line 89 progignunt for praecingunt (Mynors); 65 line 8 Mynors inserts a period but we use a hyphen; 68 line 11 Manli for Mani (Mynors); 116 line 7 acta for amitha (Mynors)

These textbooks should not be expected to do everything for everybody, but they have been effective in whetting the appetite of students to go on with their study of Latin, and to achieve a strong toehold in the syntax and vocabulary of Roman lyric poetry. I, Henry V. Bender, would like to express my thanks to my many students who worked through this material with me over the twenty-nine years I spent at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and over the past seven years at The Hill School, as well as to my colleagues at schools who so generously have given suggestions and time to the project as they used various versions of these texts in earlier forms. These schools include the Baldwin School, Boston College High School, the Lawrenceville School, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, North Penn High School, Oratory Preparatory School, the Westminster School, and Xavier Preparatory School. I am particularly grateful to Mr. Michael Dougherty of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School for his astute corrections that appear in this second printing. We sincerely hope that our efforts will help foster continued study of Catullus and continued use of the Advanced Placement* Examinations in Latin. We would like to thank our publisher Dr. Ladislaus Bolchazy and our editor LeaAnn Osburn for their enthusiastic support of this project. I, Henry V. Bender, extend special thanks to Professor Blaise Nagy for his guidance through this project, and a particular debt of gratitude to my wife Jane for her support. I, Phyllis Forsyth, thank my husband Jim for his support. Henry V. Bender, PhD, The Hill School and St. Joseph’s University Phyllis Young Forsyth, PhD, The University of Waterloo

*AP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

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AN INTRODUCTION TO CATULLUS Catullus: The Historical Context Gaius Valerius Catullus (ca. 84–54 bc) lived during one of the most turbulent periods in Roman history. The first century bc (the last century of the Roman Republic) saw a breakdown of government as ambitious and powerful generals commanded legions more loyal to themselves than to the state. Only about four years before the birth of the poet, the Roman general Sulla had led his troops in a march on Rome itself, and in 60 bc, when Catullus was still in his twenties, Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus formed the First Triumvirate, an illegal pact designed to take control of the Roman government. As would-be rulers like Caesar and Pompey usurped the powers of the Roman Senate, Republican loyalists like the great orator Cicero could do little to turn back the clock. It was only a matter of time until Caesar and Pompey would engage in a civil war that would end in the triumph of the former and the total collapse of the Republican constitution. It was against this unsettled and violent background that Catullus created the poems that we have today, some of which in fact allude to the politics and politicians of the day.

The Life of Catullus Very little is actually known about the life of Catullus, although a close reading of his poems offers some biographical data. The poems and other ancient sources indicate that he was born in the northern town of Verona, in what was then known as Cisalpine Gaul, and that his family was prominent enough to associate with Julius Caesar himself. It is likely that Catullus moved from Verona to Rome as a young man, not to pursue a career in politics, as might be expected of a scion of an important family, but rather to enjoy the more cosmopolitan atmosphere of the capital. In Rome Catullus soon met many people whose names appear in his poems, such as the lawyer, writer, and orator Cicero, the promising young politician Caelius Rufus, and the lawyer and poet Licinius Calvus. In short order, Catullus concentrated his attention on poetry and became a member of the so-called Neoterics (or “New Poets”), a circle of men who brought to the Roman literature of their time a new infusion of Greek, or, more specifically, Alexandrian (so-called after the city of Alexandria in Egypt) poetic principles. The Neoterics were especially influenced by the Greek Alexandrian poet Callimachus (ca. 310–240 bc), who had advocated the writing of short, but elegant and very learned poems. It is illustrative of Catullus’ admiration for Callimachus that his Poem 66 is a close translation of a poem by that Alexandrian author. While other Greek poets also influenced the Neoterics (e.g., Poem 51 of Catullus is for the most part a translation of a Greek poem by the renowned Sappho of Lesbos), none had as great an impact as Callimachus. In the particular case of Catullus, Callimachus’ great concern for learning and form would become merged with the Roman poet’s own passion and wit to create a type of poetry unique in Rome. [For an examination of the Neoteric movement in general, see R. O. A. M. Lyne’s “The Neoteric Poets” in the Classical Quarterly 28 (1978)167–187.] While Catullus clearly associated with some of the best young poets of the day, by far the most famous acquaintance he made in Rome was Clodia, a woman of great intelligence, wit, and beauty who became immortalized in his poems under the pseudonym of “Lesbia” (a name chosen in order to associate Clodia with the equally unique Sappho of Lesbos, both women being docta, that is, highly cultured and educated). Most

modern scholars believe that Catullus’ Clodia was the wife of Quintus Metellus Celer, a conservative Roman aristocrat who had served as governor of Cisalpine Gaul in 62–61 bc; some even theorize that Catullus had first met Clodia in Cisalpine Gaul and then had followed her to Rome. This worldly woman was a member of a politically influential Roman family, and her brother, Publius Clodius, played a role in the downfall of the Republic as an amoral thug-for-hire. Clodia, who was at least ten years older than Catullus, enchanted the young poet, and their affair would inspire some of the finest poems in the Catullan collection. Catullus even seems to have looked upon their liaison as a form of marriage, and he may have hoped that, with the death of Metellus in 59 bc, Clodia would actually marry him. If so, he was to be extremely disappointed, since Clodia not only did not reciprocate Catullus’ passion, but even took a new lover in the person of Caelius Rufus. To the everlasting delight of historians, Clodia’s affair with Caelius came to a disastrous end which was well documented by Cicero in his Pro Caelio. Caelius must have come to realize that his liaison with Clodia would not help advance his political career in Rome, and so he seems to have ended their relationship. Clodia, however, was not a woman to take rejection lightly: in 56 bc she filed charges against Caelius, accusing him of the act of vis (that is, extreme political violence) and of attempting to murder her. In response, Caelius turned to Cicero to defend him. The result was the famous speech Pro Caelio, in which Cicero completely destroyed the credibility of Clodia. Unfortunately, how Catullus reacted to the scandal surrounding both his friend and his lover is not clear. Not surprisingly, discussions of the complex relationship between Catullus and Clodia have been the focus of much modern secondary literature. Perhaps the most thorough and at the same time most provocative analysis can be found in T. P. Wiseman’s Catullus and His World: A Reappraisal (Cambridge, 1985). As for Clodia, an excellent article is that of M. B. Skinner, “Clodia Metelli” in the Transactions of the American Philological Association 113 (1983) 273–287. See also A. L. Wheeler, Catullus and the Traditions of Ancient Poetry (Berkeley, 1934), and G. P. Goold, Catullus (London, 1983). As difficult as the loss of Clodia must have been, another great loss also deeply affected Catullus: the unexpected death of his brother in the Troad of Asia Minor ca. 59 bc. One of the best known Catullan poems (101) refers to this loss, and suggests that the poet eventually went to the Troad to make funerary offerings at his brother’s grave. Many scholars have argued that this trip and the ensuing poem date to the period 57–56 bc, when Catullus joined the general staff of Gaius Memmius, the new governor of the eastern province of Bithynia. On his return home, Catullus seems to have spent some time at his villa at Sirmio in northern Italy (the modern Lake Garda). Shortly thereafter Catullus died, probably at the relatively young age of thirty. Like so many other details of Catullus’ life, the cause of his death remains unknown.

The Poems of Catullus The collection of over 100 poems that forms the Catullan corpus is colored dramatically by the poems to and about Lesbia. These poems depict the growth, maturity, and dissolution of a complex relationship, but are nonetheless far more than spontaneous outbursts of love and/or hate. While Catullus is often (and to some degree rightly) praised for his explosive candor and depth of feeling in the so-called “Lesbia poems,” he was at all times a consummate artist, conscious of his audience and of literary tradition. The genius of Catullus indeed lies in the fact that he successfully employed studied artistry in the expression of intense emotions that still affect readers to this day. It is important to realize that, despite their prominence in the eyes of modern readers, the Lesbia poems represent only one aspect of a larger collection. Catullus often turned his attention to other subjects, and among his poems are many which deal in one way or another with friendship. The poet seems to have expected from his friends the same kind of loyalty he wished for in vain from Lesbia: those who remained his steadfast friends, men such as Veranius, Calvus, or Fabullus, find their reward in poems that express genuine affection, while those who betrayed the trust of the poet find themselves the recipients of vilifying poems such as 73. Indeed, the breaking of trust in general seems to lie behind the harshest invectives to be found in the collection. Literary themes (e.g., what is good or bad writing) infuse many poems (e.g., 1, 22, 35, 36, 44, 50). A close reading of these poems reveals Catullus’ deep respect both for the power of the written word and for the art of transforming words into poetry. Poem 50 is especially instructive in providing the reader with a window into the world of poetic composition: we watch carefully as Catullus and his friend Calvus compete with each other in the making of poetry. From such poems we gain valuable insight into Catullus as a Neoteric, “Callimachean” poet who extols the virtue of quality over quantity and praises substance over image.

– viii –

Other themes of note in the Catullan collection include marriage (especially dominant in poems 61–68), travel (e.g., 4, 11, 46), and bad manners or habits (e.g., 10, 12, 84). From the collection as a whole, in fact, we come to understand the world of Catullus—his likes and dislikes, his friends and enemies, his values, and, not least in importance, his views on the art of poetry itself.

The “Book” of Catullus Did Catullus arrange his poems in the order in which we have them today? This question has occupied much scholarship over the years. The first poem in the collection, the dedication of Catullus’ book to Cornelius Nepos, uses the Latin word libellus, a diminutive form which may simply express humility on the part of the poet, or which may indeed indicate that only a small collection of poems had been made. For a long time scholars were convinced that the collection as we have it was the work of a later editor, but more recent scholarship has suggested that at least parts of the collection do reflect the ordering intended by Catullus. A “minimalist” position takes the view that only poems 1–14 constituted the libellus of Catullus [cf. T. K. Hubbard, “The Catullan Libellus,” Philologus 127 (1983) 218–237]. At the opposite end of the critical spectrum, T. P. Wiseman has argued that the entire collection as we have it (1–116) was arranged and published by the poet himself [cf. T. P. Wiseman, Catullan Questions (Leicester, 1969); see also J. D. Minyard, “The Source of the Catulli Veronensis Liber,” Classical World 81 (1988) 343–353]. In between these extremes are “moderates” who see the libellus as consisting of poems 1–51 [cf. M. B. Skinner, Catullus’ Passer: The Arrangement of the Book of Polymetric Poems (New York, 1981)], or perhaps of poems 1–60 [cf. Kenneth Quinn, Catullus: The Poems (London, 1970); also, W. Clausen, “Catulli Veronensis Liber,” Classical Philology 71 (1976) 37–43]. Given the lack of conclusive evidence, readers of the poems are encouraged to form their own opinions on this matter. Whatever Catullus’ original libellus was, the text as we have it today falls clearly into three sections arranged by meter and length: poems 1–60 (known as the polymetrics) are short pieces composed in a variety of lyric meters, the most common being the hendecasyllabic; the more expansive poems 61–68 are classified as the “long poems”; and poems 69–116 are epigrams written in the elegiac meter. The very existence of these three categories demonstrates the versatility of Catullus as a poet: he was not bound to any single type of verse, but preferred to experiment in several. It is hoped that the selection of poems made here will enable the student of Catullus to appreciate his genius as a poet who was able to unite artistry with passion in a way few others have ever achieved.

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT SYLLABUS CATULLUS (2005–) Complete New Syllabus: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14a, 22, 30, 31, 35, 36, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 60, 64 lines 50–253, 65, 68 lines 1–40, 69, 70, 72, 76, 77, 84, 85, 86, 87, 96, 101, 109, 116

Retentions: Old Syllabus Poems Kept in New Syllabus 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 31, 35, 36, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 70, 72, 76, 77, 84, 85, 86, 87, 96, 101, 109

Additions: Poems Newly Added to the Syllabus 14a, 30, 40, 60, 64 lines 50–253, 65, 68 lines 1–40, 69, 116

Deletions: Old Syllabus Poems Omitted from New Syllabus 9, 27, 34, 53, 62, 73, 75, 83, 92, 95, 107

Map illustrating places named in Catullus 4

TEXT OF THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT POEMS WITH NOTES AND VOCABULARY

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

4

5 6

dono: dono, donare, donavi, donatum, give, dedicate cui: (interrogative pronoun) to whom? lepidum: lepidus-a-um, adj., fine, elegant, charming Does the poet refer here to a physical attribute of the finished book itself? libellum: libellus, -i, m., small book; it is important to observe the way in which the poet uses alliteration and diminutives. What special effects does this word produce? arida: aridus-a-um, adj., dry modo: modo, adv., just, now, only recently pumice: pumex, pumicis, m./f., lava-stone, pumice expolitum: expolio, expolire, expolivi, expolitum, smooth off, polish; this book originally would have been written onto sheets made from strips of the papyrus plant. The uneven seams created by the bonding of one piece of papyrus with another by means of the natural secretions released in stripping the plant itself would require the use of pumice stone to gently smooth the papyrus into a scroll. Corneli: vocative form of the proper noun Cornelius; this is Cornelius Nepos, author of a tersely written history whose learnedness and polish won the admiration of Catullus. nam: nam, conj., for, with the enclitic conjunction que solebas: soleo, solere, solitus sum, be accustomed to (with a complementary infinitive) aliquid: aliquis-aliquid, (indefinite pronoun) someone, something putare: puto, putare, putavi, putatum, think, consider nugas: nugae, -arum, f. (plural), nothings, nonsense, trifles ausus es: audeo, audere, ausus sum, dare unus: unus-a-um, adj., alone, one aevum: aevum, aevi, n., age, history tribus: tres-tres-tria, adj., three explicare: explico, explicare, explicavi, explicatum, unfold, explain; does explicatum recall expolitum of line 2? cartis: carta, cartae, f., a sheet of the Egyptian papyrus; cartae suggests a series of sheets glued together to form a scroll, hence three volumes.

7

8

9

10

–2–

doctis: doceo, docere, docui, doctum, teach; the perfect passive participle used here means “learned.” Iuppiter: (vocative case, an apostrophe) Jupiter. The poet may be invoking the king of the gods to emphasize his admiration for Cornelius’ literary accomplishments. laboriosis: laboriosus-a-um, adj., labored over, worked quare: quare, adv., on account of which thing; therefore habe tibi: an abrupt, colloquial phrase with legalistic overtones suggesting the transfer of real property; essentially Catullus says, “Take it in ‘as-is’ condition.” quidquid: quisquis-quaequae-quidquid, (substantive use of the indefinite relative pronoun) whoever, whatever qualecumque: qualiscumque-qualecumque, (interrogative/indefinite adjective) of whatever sort quod: qui, quae, quod, (relative pronoun), refers to a neuter indefinite antecedent which is the object of the imperative habe and modified by qualecumque. : Pointed brackets like these indicate an omission in the original manuscript which has been tentatively restored by the text editor to complete the meter. patrona: patronus/a, -i/ae, m./f., patron virgo: virgo, virginis, f., maiden, virgin; with the words patrona virgo, the poet is invoking a muse in a manner which recalls the invocation of the muse in Homer. plus: plus, adv., (followed by ablative of comparison) more maneat: maneo, manere, mansi, mansum, remain; here the jussive subjunctive form means “let it remain.” perenne: perennis-perenne, adj., enduring, unending saeclo: saeclum, saecli, n., an age, a generation

1 Catullus probably wrote this poem when he was finished writing his collection. But what was that collection? We do not know exactly what he refers to by the word libellus. The 116 poems of Catullus are divisible into three groups: the polymetric poems 1–60, the long poems 61–68, and the elegiac distich poems 69–116. There is ample justification for thinking that the collection which we possess is a merging of several libelli. But there is considerable question as to where the separation of lines is or was, and further, whether we have the poems in the order in which the poet wanted them arranged. Poems 1–3 are in the hendecasyllabic meter.

Cui dono lepidum novum libellum arida modo pumice expolitum? Corneli, tibi: namque tu solebas meas esse aliquid putare nugas iam tum, cum ausus es unus Italorum omne aevum tribus explicare cartis doctis, Iuppiter, et laboriosis. quare habe tibi quidquid hoc libelli qualecumque; quod, patrona virgo, plus uno maneat perenne saeclo.

Man reading a scroll.

–3–

5

10

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

4

5

1

passer: passer, passeris, m., sparrow deliciae: deliciae, deliciarum, f. (plural), delight, favorite, “sweetheart” quicum = quocum: (relative pronoun) with whom ludere: ludo, ludere, lusi, lusum, play sinu: sinus, sinus, m., the fold of the toga at the breast or chest, one’s lap tenere: teneo, tenere, tenui, tentum, hold, keep cui: (relative pronoun) to whom digitum: digitus, digiti, m., finger primum digitum: fingertip of the index finger appetenti: appeto, appetere, appetivi, appetitum, seek, seek greedily acris: acer-acris-acre, adj., sharp, fierce solet: soleo, solere, solitus sum, be accustomed to, be used to; this verb takes four complementary infinitives, ludere, tenere, dare, incitare. morsus: morsus, morsus, m., hunger pain, a bite, a peck cum: cum, conj., when desiderio: desiderium, desiderii, n., longing nitenti: niteo, nitere, nitui, shine, be bright; the participle may be modifying the noun desiderio or may be taken with an unexpressed but understood word for Lesbia in the dative case. Desiderio would then be taken as an ablative qualifying nitenti, and meo, while strictly speaking a possessive adjective, can be taken in the sense of “for me.”

6

7

8

9

10

2

gratum est: it is pleasing ferunt: in the sense of “they say” puellae: refers to Atalanta, who was to marry the person who surpassed her in running. Milanion dropped a golden apple in front of Atalanta while racing her. She stopped to pick up the apple and was thereby defeated by Milanion, who then won her hand in marriage.

3

–4–

nescio: nescio, nescire, nescivi, not know: with the indefinite pronoun quis-quid, an indefinite idiomatic adjectival construction modifying carum, and with iocari it means “to make some loving joke.” lubet = libet: libet, libere, libuit/libitum est, it pleases iocari: iocor, iocari, iocatus sum, tease, joke solaciolum: solaciolum, solacioli, n., a little comfort or solace doloris: dolor, doloris, m., grief, pain credo: credo, credere, credidi, creditum, believe gravis: gravis-grave, adj., serious, dire, grave acquiescat: acquiesco, acquiescere, acquievi, acquietum, become quiet, settle down ardor: ardor, ardoris, m., flame of passion sicut: sicut, conj., just as possem: possum, posse, potui, (optative subjunctive) be able tristis: tristis-triste, adj., sad, miserable. This is an example of the poetic form of the regular third declension accusative plural ending, -es. animi: animus, animi, m., mind, being levare: levo, levare, levavi, levatum, lighten curas: cura, curae, f., care, anxiety, love

pernici: pernix, pernicis, adj., swift aureolum: aureolus-a-um, adj., golden malum: malum, -i, n., apple zonam: zona, -ae, f., girdle solvit: solvo, solvere, solvi, solutum, free up, untie ligatam: ligo, ligare, ligavi, ligatum, tie up, bind

2 The occasion of this poem, the first of the passer poems, is the poet’s fanciful jealousy of a pet sparrow. The sparrow has been fortunate to become the focus of the attention of Catullus’ girlfriend, Lesbia (Clodia). This occasion makes the poet eager to be with his beloved, to play with the sparrow and to receive the love and attention he craves.

Passer, deliciae meae puellae, quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere, cui primum digitum dare appetenti et acris solet incitare morsus, cum desiderio meo nitenti carum nescio quid lubet iocari, et solaciolum sui doloris, credo, ut tum gravis acquiescat ardor: tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem et tristis animi levare curas!

5

10

2B Some scholars have suggested that several lines are missing at the end of Poem 2. They believe that these missing lines would have formed a coherent connection with Poem 2b.

tam gratum est mihi quam ferunt puellae pernici aureolum fuisse malum, quod zonam soluit diu ligatam.

–5–

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1 2

5

6

7

8 9

lugete: lugeo, lugere, luxi, luctum, mourn, lament quantum: quantus-a-um, (interrogative adj.) how much; used here as a pronoun upon which the subsequent genitives depend. venustiorum: venustus-a-um, adj., beautiful, charming. Note that this form is the genitive plural of the comparative degree of venustus, which modifies hominum, a genitive of the whole or partitive genitive. plus: plus, pluris, adj., more illa: ille-illa-illud, (demonstrative pronoun/adjective) that; illa: nominative case, subject of the verb amabat, effectively an emphatic personal pronoun meaning she. oculis: oculus, -i, m., eye; oculis is an ablative of comparison introduced by plus. Note the figure of speech, chiasmus. mellitus: mellitus-a-um, adj., honey-sweet norat = noverat: syncopated pluperfect active form norat: nosco, noscere, novi, notum, know, be acquainted with ipsam: ipse-ipsa-ipsum, (intensive pronoun) -self; here ipsam is probably being used as a noun to stand for the words, “the lady herself, the lady in charge, the mistress”; essentially ipsam = dominam. gremio: gremium, -ii, n., lap circumsiliens: circumsilio, circumsilire, hop around

10 11

12 13

14

15

16 17 18

–6–

pipiabat: pipio, pipiare or pipire, pipiavi, pipiatum, chirp qui: (relative pronoun) refers to passer tenebricosum: tenebricosus-a-um, adj., dark, obscure, murky quemquam: quisquam-quidquam, (indefinite pronoun) anyone, anybody, any person sit: may it be, may it go (jussive subjunctive) male: male, adv., badly tenebrae: tenebrae, -arum, f., (plural) darkness (of the underworld) Orci: Orcus, -i, m., name of the god of the underworld, metonymy for the entire underworld devoratis: devoro, devorare, devoravi, devoratum, devour, destroy bella: bellus-a-um, adj., beautiful, nice. Note apostrophe, personification, and chiasmus in this line. mihi: (dative of separation) from me abstulistis: aufero, auferre, abstuli, ablatum, take away, steal miselle: misellus-a-um, adj., poor little (diminutive form of the adjective miser-misera-miserum) opera: opera, -ae, f., work, deed flendo: fleo, flere, flevi, fletum, cry turgiduli: turgidulus-a-um, adj., swollen rubent: rubeo, rubere, rubui, be red, “bloodshot”

3 The second sparrow poem paints a semi-serious picture of Catullus inviting his listeners to cry with him over the death of the little sparrow, a virtual mock funeral. The poem builds considerable pathos for the deceased sparrow, and offers a dramatic tonal contrast with Poem 2.

Lugete, O Veneres Cupidinesque, et quantum est hominum venustiorum: passer mortuus est meae puellae, passer, deliciae meae puellae, quem plus illa oculis suis amabat. nam mellitus erat suamque norat ipsam tam bene quam puella matrem, nec sese a gremio illius movebat, sed circumsiliens modo huc modo illuc ad solam dominam usque pipiabat; qui nunc it per iter tenebricosum illud, unde negant redire quemquam. at vobis male sit, malae tenebrae Orci, quae omnia bella devoratis: tam bellum mihi passerem abstulistis. O factum male! O miselle passer! tua nunc opera meae puellae flendo turgiduli rubent ocelli.

–7–

5

10

15

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

4

5

6

7 8

9

10

phaselus: phaselus, -i, m., ship (a Greek word); it denotes a bean-shaped craft of the type found in Egyptian tombs, perhaps suggestive of Charon’s boat, the boat for passage across the Styx river after death. ait: aio, (defective verb used mainly in present and imperfect) say Celerrimus is in the nominative case although it is an adjective in indirect statement in Latin and should be in the accusative case; this Greek usage makes the subject of the infinitive (fuisse) in indirect statement the same case as the subject of the main verb (ait); Catullus’ imitation of this Greek construction is an example of a Hellenism. It might also be argued that since phaselus is Greek, if it could speak it would speak Greek. ullius: ullus-a-um, adj., any natantis: nato, natare, natavi, natatum, swim, float trabis: trabs, -is, f., plank, beam nequisse: nequeo, nequire, nequii, nequitum, be unable praeterire: praetereo, praeterire, praeterii, praeteritum, pass by, surpass, go beyond palmulis: palmula, -ae, f., little oar, oar blade opus foret: opus esse, (idiom) there is need of foret = esset palmulis and linteo: both in the ablative case governed by opus foret linteo: linteus, -i, m., sail, cloth hoc, a demonstrative pronoun in the accusative case, neuter gender, object of the infinitive negare, referring to the speed boasted of in lines 1–5 minacis: minax, minacis, adj., threatening Hadriatici: Hadriaticum, -i, n., Adriatic Sea, one of five place names (lines 6–9), subjects of the infinitive negare in an indirect statement introduced by negat Cycladas: Cyclades, Cycladum, f., the Cyclades Islands; note the Grecism. Rhodum: Rhodus, -i, f., island of Rhodes Thraciam: Thracius-a-um, adj., of or belonging to Thrace Propontida (Greek accusative): Propontis, Propontidis, f., the Propontis, the Sea of Marmora, separating the Black Sea from the Aegean; the Hellespont leads from the Aegean into the Sea of Marmora and the Bosphorus from the Sea of Marmora into the Black Sea, Ponticum Sinum. Here post, the adverb meaning “afterwards,” and antea, the adverb meaning “before,” are used in sharp contrast like the stem and stern of the phaselus which they surround.

11

comata: comatus-a-um, adj., long-haired, leafy Cytorio: Cytorius-a-um, adj., pertaining to Mount Cytorus on the south side of the Black Sea 12 loquente: loquor, loqui, locutus sum, speak sibilum: sibilus, -i, m., hissing edidit: edo, edere, edidi, editum, bring forth 13 Amastri: Amastris, -is, f., Amastris, a city near Mount Cytorus; this is the vocative form. Cytore: Cytorus, -i, m., Mount Cytorus buxifer: buxifer-buxifera-buxiferum, adj., producing boxwood trees 15 ultima: ultimus-a-um, adj., last, final, farthest. The phrase ultima ex origine conveys the notion of the English phrase “at birth.” 16 cacumine: cacumen, -inis, n., extreme end of a thing, point, tip, peak 17 imbuisse: imbuo, imbuere, imbui, imbutum, wet, soak, saturate 18 impotentia: impotens, impotentis, adj., powerless to control, wild, furious, violent freta: fretum, -i, n., strait, sound, channel 19 erum: erus, -i, m., heir, master of the house (in respect to servants), owner 20 vocaret: subjunctive in indirect question as is incidisset in line 21 aura: aura, aurae, f., breeze Iuppiter: metonymy for ventus 21 secundus: secundus-a-um, adj., favorable in the sense that the wind follows behind the ship incidisset: incido, incidere, incidi, incasum, fall upon, alight upon pedem: pes, pedis, m., foot; here, the foot of the sail 22 litoralibus: litoralis-litorale, adj., belonging to the shore 23 sibi, probably a dative of agent, found regularly in Greek with a perfect passive participle; so here with the perfect passive infinitive facta esse, a Grecism perhaps? Sibi is considered by some to be a dative of advantage, “on the ship’s own behalf.” 24 Here, novissimo may mean the last sea to be reached and not the farthest from this point. Thus it could be a reference to the Adriatic or to the Black Sea. limpidum: limpidus-a-um, adj., clear, bright, transparent lacum: lacus, -us, m., lake, pond 25 fuere = fuerunt recondita: reconditus-a-um, adj., hidden, concealed 26 senet: seneo, senere, senui, be old, age 27 Castor and Pollux were twin sons of Zeus who became protectors and patrons of sailors.

–8–

4 This poem is often read in conjunction with 31 and 46. The three seem informed by the same experience of journey. Here the poet empowers a vessel with speech. Friends (hospites) are invited to gaze upon an old ship, a phaselus, which has just carried its master, presumably Catullus, on a journey from Bithynia to Lake Garda, near his home at Sirmio, see the map on p. xii. In reflecting on this recent journey, Catullus imaginatively sees the ship in its early stages as forest on the slopes of Mt. Cytorus near the city of Amastris, on the southern coast of the Black Sea. The catalog of place names traces the journey back to its starting place. The allegorical aspects of the poem must be considered. In what ways does the poet make the voyage of the ship reflect human experience? This meter, found only in Poems 4 and 29 of the Catullan corpus, is the iambic senarius (also called iambic trimeter), in which there are six iambs. Three meters or metra represent three groups of two iambs.

Phaselus ille, quem videtis, hospites, ait fuisse navium celerrimus, neque ullius natantis impetum trabis nequisse praeterire, sive palmulis opus foret volare sive linteo. et hoc negat minacis Hadriatici negare litus insulasve Cycladas Rhodumque nobilem horridamque Thraciam Propontida trucemve Ponticum sinum, ubi iste post phaselus antea fuit comata silva; nam Cytorio in iugo loquente saepe sibilum edidit coma. Amastri Pontica et Cytore buxifer, tibi haec fuisse et esse cognitissima ait phaselus: ultima ex origine tuo stetisse dicit in cacumine, tuo imbuisse palmulas in aequore, et inde tot per impotentia freta erum tulisse, laeva sive dextera vocaret aura, sive utrumque Iuppiter simul secundus incidisset in pedem; neque ulla vota litoralibus deis sibi esse facta, cum veniret a mari novissimo hunc ad usque limpidum lacum. sed haec prius fuere: nunc recondita senet quiete seque dedicat tibi, gemelle Castor et gemelle Castoris.

–9–

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15

20

25

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

4

5

vivamus: vivo, vivere, vixi, victum, live. Lesbia is in the vocative case. In deriving this name from the island of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea, Catullus associates his girlfriend with the poet Sappho, who lived on this island. The name Lesbia may gloss the real name of his love, Clodia, the sister of Clodius, a rather sinister figure, and the focus of so much anxiety in the consulship of Cicero. amemus: amo, amare, amavi, amatum, love, make love rumores: rumor, rumoris, m., gossip, rumor senum: senex, senis, m., old man severiorum: severus-a-um, adj., strict, austere aestimemus: aestimo, aestimare, aestimavi, aestimatum, evaluate, rate assis: as, assis, m., a penny, a copper coin. Assis is in the genitive case, the genitive of price or value dependent upon aestimemus. soles: sol, solis, m., sun occidere: occido, occidere, occidi, occasum, set, fall down redire: redeo, redire, redivi or redii, reditum, return, rise. Note the chiasmus in the line. semel: semel, adv., once brevis: brevis-breve, adj., brief, short lux: lux, lucis, f., light

6

7

9 10 11

12

– 10 –

nox: nox, noctis, f., night, darkness dormienda: dormio, dormire, dormivi or dormii, dormitum, sleep; dormienda is a gerundive. da: do, dare, dedi, datum, give mi = mihi basis: basium, basii, n., kiss; basium appears for the first time in Roman literature in Catullus. Later authors such as Martial use the word frequently. Its origin is obscure; perhaps it was a dialectical word whose use was elevated by Catullus’ poems; possibly it was native to Catullus’ home in northern Italy. deinde: deinde, adv., then usque: adv., continuously, without a break fecerimus: facio, facere, feci, factum, (future perfect form) make, do conturbabimus: conturbo, conturbare, conturbavi, conturbatum, confuse, disturb, upset sciamus: scio, scire, scivi, scitum, know quis = aliquis: (the indefinite pronoun) someone, anybody malus: malus-a-um, adj., bad, evil invidere: invideo, invidere, invidi, invisum, cast an evil eye upon

5 This emotionally charged poem reflects the passion for which the poet is famous and seems to come from very intense, and probably very early, moments in his relationship with Clodia. The poem is written in the hendecasyllabic meter.

Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus, rumoresque senum severiorum omnes unius aestimemus assis! soles occidere et redire possunt: nobis cum semel occidit brevis lux, nox est perpetua una dormienda. da mi basia mille, deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum, deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum. dein, cum milia multa fecerimus, conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus, aut ne quis malus invidere possit, cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.

– 11 –

5

10

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

4

quaeris: quaero, quaerere, quaesivi, quaesitum, seek, ask quot: quot, (interrogative adverb) how many basiationes: basiatio, basiationis, f., a kissing Tuae modifies basiationes and probably is best taken as “your kissings (of me).” Sint is subjunctive in indirect question. satis superque: advs., enough and more than enough quam: quam, adv., as Libyssae: Libyssus-a-um, adj., Libyan harenae: harena, harenae, f., sand, grain of sand lasarpiciferis: lasarpicifer-lasarpicifera-lasarpiciferum, adj., bearing or producing asafoetida; this plant was imported by Rome from Cyrene, and used for medicinal purposes, particularly during the time of Caesar. It was also represented on the official coinage of Cyrene. iacet: iaceo, iacere, iacui, lie, recline Cyrenis: Cyrenae, Cyrenarum, f., Cyrene, the capital of Libya, was founded according to legend in the seventh century bc by Batt us, who was later buried and worshipped at a shrine in the center of the city. In the third century bc, Callimachus, a famous poet imitated by Catullus, was born in Cyrene. Callimachus claimed lineage from Batt us, and Catullus refers to him as Battiades (65.16 and 116.2). This poem essentially alludes to Callimachus’ poetry, which was well known in Catullus’ time.

5

6

7 8 9

10 11

12

– 12 –

oraclum: orac(u)lum, orac(u)ll, n., oracle; this may refer to the temple of Ammon, the Egyptian god equivalent to Zeus and Jupiter, known to have been the site of an oracle situated somewhere in the Libyan desert. aestuosi: aestuosus-a-um, adj., very hot, sultry veteris: vetus, veteris, adj., old sacrum: sacer-sacra-sacrum, adj., sacred, holy, revered sepulcrum: sepulcrum, sepulcri, n., tomb, burial ground sidera: sidus, sideris, n., star tacet: taceo, tacere, tacui, tacitum, be silent, still furtivos: furtivus-a-um, adj., stolen, secret, hidden Te is best taken as the direct object of the infinitive basiare, and basia multa would be adverbial accusatives with basiare. Note the chiasmus in the line. vesano: vesanus-a-um, adj., not of sound mind, insane pernumerare: pernumero, pernumerare, pernumeravi, pernumeratum, count up curiosi: curiosus-a-um, adj., inquisitive; its substantive meaning is “busybodies.” fascinare: fascino, fascinare, fascinavi, fascinatum, cast an evil eye upon, jinx, bewitch

7 This poem reflects a time of great happiness in the relationship between Lesbia and Catullus; its tone and theme closely relate to Poem 5. The exotic place references in this poem belong to a poetic typology, perhaps originating in the Alexandrian poets. They lend an air of mystique and intrigue to what is already romantic. The poem is written in the hendecasyllabic meter.

Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque. quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum; aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox, furtivos hominum vident amores: tam te basia multa basiare vesano satis et super Catullo est, quae nec pernumerare curiosi possint nec mala fascinare lingua.

Profile of Catullus.

– 13 –

5

10

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3 4 5 6 7 9

desinas: desino, desinere, desii, desitum, cease, stop ineptire: ineptio, ineptire, make a fool of oneself perisse: pereo, perire, perii, peritum, perish, die perditum: perdo, perdere, perdidi, perditum, destroy, ruin, lose Ducas is a jussive subjunctive from duco. fulsere = fulserunt: fulgeo, fulgere, fulsi, shine candidi: candidus-a-um, adj., bright ventitabas: ventito, ventitare, ventitavi, ventitatum, keep on going, keep following Nobis is dative of agent with amata. iocosa: iocosus-a-um, adj., joking, playful fiebant: fio, fieri, factus sum, happen, take place Observe the litotes in this line. illa: neuter plural or nominative singular? The impersonality of the third person nominative might lend a slight nuance to the rift between the lovers. inpotens: inpotens, inpotentis, adj., uncontrolled, powerless noli: nolo, nolle, nolui, not wish; the imperative followed by an infinitive means “don’t.”

10 11

13

15

18

19

– 14 –

sectare: sector, sectari, sectatum, run, chase, follow, run after; sectare is a form of the imperative. obstinata: obstinatus-a-um, adj., resolute, determined, fixed perfer: perfero, perferre, pertuli, perlatum, carry through, endure, put up with obdura: obduro, obdurare, obduravi, obduratum, persist, stick it out requiret: requiro, requirere, requisivi, requisitum, seek again, look after invitam: invitus-a-um, adj., unwilling scelesta: scelestus-a-um, wretched, unfortunate vae: (interjection which governs the accusative or dative) alas, woe! labella: labellum, -i, n., little lip mordebis: mordeo, mordere, momordi, morsum, bite destinatus: destinatus-a-um, adj., fixed, determined in mind

8 The despair which pervades this poem suggests that its occasion must have been a catastrophic break-up between Lesbia and Catullus. Note the courage which the poet displays in composing the poem and balance that with the despair he exposes. The meter is limping iambics (choliambics or scazons).

Miser Catulle, desinas ineptire, et quod vides perisse perditum ducas. fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles, cum ventitabas quo puella ducebat amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla. ibi illa multa cum iocosa fiebant, quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat, fulsere vere candidi tibi soles. nunc iam illa non volt: tu quoque inpote<ns noli>, nec quae fugit sectare, nec miser vive, sed obstinata mente perfer, obdura. vale, puella. iam Catullus obdurat, nec te requiret nec rogabit invitam. at tu dolebis, cum rogaberis nulla. scelesta, vae te! quae tibi manet vita? quis nunc te adibit? cui videberis bella? quem nunc amabis? cuius esse diceris? quem basiabis? cui labella mordebis? at tu, Catulle, destinatus obdura.

– 15 –

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 2 3

4

5 6 8

10 11

12

13 14 15

16 17

otiosum: otiosus-a-um, adj., at leisure scortillum: scortum, -i, n., prostitute, harlot; this is the diminutive form. Catullus’ ongoing fondness for diminutive forms signals his affection or playfulness. repente: repente, adv., suddenly, at that instant sane: sane, adv., naturally, (with negatives) really, at all illepidum: illepidus-a-um, adj., inelegant invenustum: invenustus-a-um, adj., unattractive, homely. Note how the litotes of this line suggest the poet’s unspoken interest in and tolerance of the scortillum. incidere = inciderunt: incido, incidere, incidi, incasum, fall upon, happen sermones: sermo, sermonis, m., conversation Esset is subjunctive in indirect question. quonam: quisnam-quaenam-quidnam, (interrogative adjective) what, modifying aere aere: aes, aeris, n., bronze, (by metonymy) profit profuisset: prosum, prodesse, profui, benefit, be of profit to (with dative) praetoribus: praetor, praetoris, m., governor cohorti: cohors, cohortis, m., the staff, retinue quisquam: quisquam-quaequam-quidquam, (indefinite pronoun) anyone, someone unctius: unctus-a-um, adj., greasy, “slick.” The reference is to becoming wealthier and more self-indulgent as a result of participation in the tour of duty in the province of Bithynia. praesertim: praesertim, adv., particularly, especially quibus: the relative pronoun used as a dative of possession irrumator: irrumator, irrumatoris, m., a deviate, pervert; this is a very uncomplimentary reference to Gaius Memmius, the man who married Sulla’s daughter Fausta and to whom Lucretius dedicated his great hexameter poem De Rerum Natura in 55 bc. faceret pili: non facere pili, an idiom meaning to care nothing about; pilus, -i, m., hair inquiunt: inquam, (defective verb) say natum: nascor, nasci, natus sum, be born, develop, transpire; the word seems to mean “the local product.” comparasti = comparavisti: comparo, comparare, comparavi, comparatum, procure, obtain, purchase lecticam: lectica, -ae, f., litter, essentially a couch which is to be carried like a man-moved taxi unum: used here in the sense of “uniquely” beatiorem: beatus-a-um, adj., happy, lucky

18 19 20

21 22

23

24

25

26

27

28 29 30

31 32 33

34

– 16 –

maligne: malignus-a-um, adj., stingy, malicious incidisset: incido, incidere, incidi, incasum, fall upon, come unexpectedly upon rectos: rectus-a-um, adj., right, straight-backed; the word may refer to the youth and strength of the carriers; it may also play on the poetic context. mi = mihi: dative of possession fractum: frango, frangere, fregi, fractum, break pedem: pes, pedis, m., leg; here leg of a couch, cot grabati: grabatus, -i, m., a cot, a small couch collo: collum, -i, n., neck collocare: colloco, collocare, collocavi, collocatum, place, put in order decuit: decet, decere, decuit, it is becoming, it is suitable, it does seem proper cinaediorem: cinaedus-a-um, adj., shameless, crude quaeso: quaeso, quaesere, quaesivi, quaesitum, seek, seek to obtain, “I beg” or “please” mi: vocative masculine singular of meus-a-um, adj., my. Notice the effect of repetition. paulum: paulum, adv., a little while commoda: commodo, commodare, commodavi, commodatum, lend, give, bestow Serapim: Serapis, Serapis, m., the Egyptian god of healing, whose worship is first seen in Italy about the end of the second century bc; there were attempts to suppress the cult in 58 bc. deferri: deferro, deferre, detuli, delatum, bring down, carry down mane: maneo, manere, mansi, mansum, remain, wait modo: modo, adv., just, now, only recently ratio: ratio, -ionis, f., reason sodalis: sodalis, -is, m., comrade, companion Gaius Cinna: a poet addressed in Poem 95, who had perhaps accompanied Catullus to Bithynia; notice the word order in this line. paravit = comparavit verum: verum, adv., truly utrum: utrum, adv., whether utor: utor, uti, usus sum, use pararim = paraverim = comparaverim insulsa: insulsus-a-um, adj., tasteless, insipid molesta: molestus-a-um, adj., troublesome, annoying vivis: vivo, vivere, vixi, victum, live; here in the sense of “you are” licet: licet, licere, licuit, it is permitted neglegentem: neglegens, neglegentis, adj., careless, neglectful, relaxed

10 This poem is occasioned by the accidental meeting of Catullus and his friend Varus in the Roman Forum. This Varus is probably Quintilius Varus, born in Cremona, who was known to Horace and Virgil. Quintilius Varus died in 24 bc and was the subject of a poem written by Horace and dedicated to Vergil (Odes 1.24). The poem contains references to Catullus’ return trip from Bithynia in late 57 or 56 bc, where he had been with the governor Gaius Memmius. The poet injects dialogue into his poem; he behaves like a fool, and does not hesitate to communicate such an impression directly to the reader. Set between two very intense poems, this poem shows the sensitive and learned (doctus) poet at ease in less than poetic settings. The poem is written in hendecasyllabic meter.

Varus me meus ad suos amores visum duxerat e foro otiosum, scortillum, ut mihi tum repente visum est, non sane illepidum neque invenustum. huc ut venimus, incidere nobis sermones varii, in quibus, quid esset iam Bithynia, quo modo se haberet, et quonam mihi profuisset aere. respondi id quod erat, nihil neque ipsis nec praetoribus esse nec cohorti, cur quisquam caput unctius referret, praesertim quibus esset irrumator praetor, nec faceret pili cohortem. ‘at certe tamen,’ inquiunt ‘quod illic natum dicitur esse, comparasti ad lecticam homines.’ ego, ut puellae unum me facerem beatiorem, ‘non’ inquam ‘mihi tam fuit maligne, ut, provincia quod mala incidisset, non possem octo homines parare rectos.’ at mi nullus erat nec hic neque illic, fractum qui veteris pedem grabati in collo sibi collocare posset. hic illa, ut decuit cinaediorem, ‘quaeso,’ inquit ‘mihi, mi Catulle, paulum istos commoda: nam volo ad Serapim deferri.’ ‘mane,’ inquii puellae, ‘istud quod modo dixeram me habere, fugit me ratio: meus sodalis— Cinna est Gaius,—is sibi paravit. verum, utrum illius an mei, quid ad me? utor tam bene quam mihi pararim. sed tu insulsa male et molesta vivis, per quam non licet esse neglegentem.’ – 17 –

5

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15

20

25

30

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 2

3

4 5

6

7 8 9 13

penetrabit: penetro, penetrare, penetravi, penetratum, enter, get to, penetrate Indos suggests the Roman Far East. litus: litus, litoris, n., shore ut: when followed by the indicative mood, it means “where” or “as.” resonante: resono, resonare, resonavi, resound, echo Eoa: Eous-a-um, adj., eastern tunditur: tundo, tundere, tutudi, tunsum, beat, pound, hammer Hyrcanos: Hyrcani, -orum, m., people living on the shores of the Caspian Sea Arabasve: Arabs, Arabis, adj. used as a substantive, an Arab molles: mollis-molle, adj., soft, gentle Sagas: Sagae, -arum, m., Scythians sagitt iferosve: sagitt ifer-sagitt ifera-sagitt iferum, adj., arrow bearing Parthos: Parthi, -orum, m., Parthians, people living in Parthia, a land northeast of Syria, bounded by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers septemgeminus: septemgeminus-a-um, adj., sevenfold, here perhaps “seven-throated” Nilus: Nilus, -i, m., Nile river gradietur: gradior, gradi, gressus sum, go, journey omnia haec: object of temptare in line 14 quaecumque: quicumque-quaecumque-quodcumque, whatever voluntas: voluntas, voluntatis, f., wish, will

14 17

caelitum: caeles, caelitis, m./f., heaven-dweller, god vivat: vivo, vivere, vixi, victum, live valeat: valeo, valere, valui, be strong, be healthy moechis: moechus, -i, m., adulterer 18 complexa: complector, complecti, complexus sum, embrace trecentos: trecenti-ae-a, adj., m., three hundred 19 vere: vere, adv., truly identidem: identidem, adv., continually, again and again 20 ilia: ilia, ilium, n. (plural), the groin rumpens: rumpo, rumpere, rupi, ruptum, break, burst 21 respectet: respecto, respectare, respectavi, respectatum, look back upon 22 velut: velut, adv., just as prati: pratum, -i, n., meadow 23 ultimi: ultimus-a-um, adj., ultimate, at the edge of flos: flos, floris, m., flower praetereunte: praetereo, praeterire, praeterivi, praeteritum, to go past 24 tactus: tango, tangere, tetigi, tactum, touch aratro: aratrum, -i, n., plow

– 18 –

11 This poem is addressed to Catullus’ friends Furius and Aurelius, and asks them to speak on Catullus’ behalf to Lesbia. The biting message is motivated by the frustrated love of its speaker. The first sixteen lines constitute one sentence, a dramatic contrast to the taut impact of lines 17–20 and the touching final image in lines 21–24. The meter is Sapphic.

Furi et Aureli, comites Catulli, sive in extremos penetrabit Indos, litus ut longe resonante Eoa tunditur unda, sive in Hyrcanos Arabasve molles, seu Sagas sagittiferosve Parthos, sive quae septemgeminus colorat aequora Nilus, sive trans altas gradietur Alpes, Caesaris visens monimenta magni, Gallicum Rhenum, horribile aequor ultimosque Britannos, omnia haec, quaecumque feret voluntas caelitum, temptare simul parati, pauca nuntiate meae puellae non bona dicta. cum suis vivat valeatque moechis, quos simul complexa tenet trecentos, nullum amans vere, sed identidem omnium ilia rumpens; nec meum respectet, ut ante, amorem, qui illius culpa cecidit velut prati ultimi flos, praetereunte postquam tactus aratro est.

– 19 –

5

10

15

20

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 2

3 4 5

7 8

belle: belle, adv., neatly, nicely, well uteris: utor, uti, usus sum, use (with ablative) ioco: iocus, -i, m., jest, joke lintea: linteum, lintei, n., linen cloth, napkin Neglegentiorum recalls Poem 10, line 34. salsum: salsus-a-um, adj., salty, witt y inepte: ineptus-a-um, adj., foolish quamvis: quamvis, adv., however; the word intensifies the adjective which it modifies and has the sense of “as much as can be.” sordida: sordidus-a-um, adj., in poor taste, crude invenusta: invenustus-a-um, adj., uncharming; the antithesis of anything tastefully done furta: furtum, -i, n., theft talento: talentum, -i, n., a talent, a sum of money leporum: lepor, leporis, m., pleasantness, charm, wit

9 11 12 13 14

15 16

– 20 –

differtus: differtus-a-um, adj., full of (with genitive) facetiarum: facetiae, -arum, f., clever things exspecta: exspecto, exspectare, exspectavi, exspectatum, expect, wait for aestimatione: aestimatio, aestimationis, f., esteem, value mnemosynum: mnemosynum, -i, n., memento, reminder sudaria: sudarium, -ii, n., a handkerchief, a napkin Saetaba: Saetabus-a-um, adj., Saetaban, belonging to Saetabis, a town in Spain Hiberis: Hiberi, -orum, m., the Spanish people; (by metonymy) Spain muneri: munus, muneris, n., gift; used as a dative of purpose amem: amo, amare, amavi, amatum, love; subjunctive with necesse est

12 Addressed to Marrucinus Asinius, the brother of Gaius Asinius Pollio, builder of Rome’s first library, this humorous poem uses a trivial situation to occasion a carefully veiled statement which affirms Catullus’ fondness for what is really valuable. The gift of the napkin reminds Catullus of the true friendship behind that gift. That friendship is something precious. The meter is hendecasyllabic.

Marrucine Asini, manu sinistra non belle uteris: in ioco atque vino tollis lintea neglegentiorum. hoc salsum esse putas? fugit te, inepte: quamvis sordida res et invenusta est. non credis mihi? crede Pollioni fratri, qui tua furta vel talento mutari velit: est enim leporum differtus puer ac facetiarum. quare aut hendecasyllabos trecentos exspecta, aut mihi linteum remitte, quod me non movet aestimatione, verum est mnemosynum mei sodalis. nam sudaria Saetaba ex Hiberis miserunt mihi muneri Fabullus et Veranius: haec amem necesse est ut Veraniolum meum et Fabullum.

– 21 –

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10

15

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1 2

cenabis: ceno, cenare, cenavi, cenatum, dine paucis diebus: within a few days; ablative of time within which favent: faveo, favere, favi, fautum, favor, promote 3 att uleris: affero, afferre, att uli, allatum, bring, carry 5 sale: sal, salis, f., salt, (figurative) wit cachinnis: cachinnus, -i, m., loud laughter 6/7 Note repetition of att uleris and cenabis. 8 plenus: plenus-a-um, adj., full sacculus: sacculus, -i, m., little bag, purse, wallet, knapsack aranearum: aranea, araneae, f., spider’s web

9 10

11 12 13 14

meros: merus-a-um, adj., pure, unmixed; normally used of wine (see Poem 27, line 7) suavius: suavis-suave, adj., pleasant, charming, agreeable elegantiusve: elegans, elegantis, adj., elegant, charming, pleasing, rewarding unguentum: unguentum, -i, n., ointment, perfume donarunt = donaverunt olfacies: olfacio, olfacere, olfeci, olfactum, to smell nasum: nasus, -i, m., nose

Mosaic of an unswept floor, found on the Aventine in Rome.

– 22 –

13 Addressed to his friend Fabullus, who has perhaps just returned from travel in Spain, this poem presents the poet’s mock-heroic invitation to dine with him. Such a theme was a standard poetic device found in Alexandrian poetry. Perhaps evoking such associations here, Catullus carefully repeats his invitation after making certain clear warnings. In contrast to the returning, well-heeled world traveler, the poet, as always, has a cobweb-filled wallet, so he says. The dining will satisfy only a mutual appetite for friendship, whetted by the intoxicating and erotic scent of perfume, a gift from Lesbia to Catullus, a reminder of the greatest love of his life. The chance to be together and to share is a kind of wealth, surely worth Fabullus’ bringing the food, jokes, companions, the “stuff” of dinner. The poem is written in hendecasyllabic meter.

Cenabis bene, mi Fabulle, apud me paucis, si tibi di favent, diebus, si tecum attuleris bonam atque magnam cenam, non sine candida puella et vino et sale et omnibus cachinnis. haec si, inquam, attuleris, venuste noster, cenabis bene; nam tui Catulli plenus sacculus est aranearum. sed contra accipies meros amores seu quid suavius elegantiusve est: nam unguentum dabo, quod meae puellae donarunt Veneres Cupidinesque, quod tu cum olfacies, deos rogabis, totum ut te faciant, Fabulle, nasum.

Floor-plan of a triclinium.

– 23 –

5

10

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1 2 3

4 5

6

7

8

9

10 11

12 13 14

Ni=si non, if not, unless oculis meis, ablative of comparison with plus munere: munus, muneris, n., gift; the gift is the libellus (ablative of cause) odissem: odi, odisse, hate; in form the pluperfect subjunctive active; odi is a defective verb and can be found only in perfect system forms; this is equivalent here to the imperfect subjunctive in a contrary to fact condition. odio: odium, odii, n., hatred; note the polyptoton with odissem Vatiniano: Vatinianus-a-um, adj., pertaining to Publius Vatinius (Poem 53 line 2), associated with Julius Caesar and prosecuted in 54 bc by Calvus; hence Calvus would be hated by Vatinius. sum locutus: loquor, loqui, locutus sum, speak, say cur: cur, conj., why; in this line equivalent to ut introducing a result clause male: adv., badly, very much, excessively perderes: perdo, perdere, perdidi, perditum, lose utterly, destroy poetis, ablative with the sense of “with” isti, modifies clienti; note the chiasmus in this line. dent, jussive subjunctive clienti: cliens, clientis, m., client tantum: tantus-a-um, adj., so much, so great; accusative neuter object of the verb; here in the sense of “such a mass” impiorum: impius-a-um, adj., unworthy, (as a substantive) “wrongdoers” or “scoundrels” (genitive of the whole) quod si, but if ut: ut, conj., as (followed by the indicative mood) suspicor: suspicor, suspicari, suspicatus sum, suspect, suppose, conjecture novum…repertum…munus (line 9) are all in the accusative case, objects of the verb dat. Note the hendiadys with novum and repertum. repertum: reperio, reperire, repperi, repertum, discover; here “devised” (for the Saturnalia) Sulla is not known but is characterized here by the word litterator, which denotes a person more concerned with the mechanics of language learning than with any profound aspects of literature; the litterator is regarded by Fordyce (136) as “an elementary schoolmaster.” Note the use of alliteration in this line. dispereunt: dispereo, disperire, disperii, to go to ruin, be undone, perish; the form is an example of the historical present tense. sacrum: sacer, sacra, sacrum, adj., sacred, holy; here in the sense of accursed scilicet: scilicet, adv., for sure, of course misti=misisti (syncope)

continuo: continuus-a-um, adj., following, probably modifies die, but may be an adverb which has the meaning of “on the spot.” periret, subjunctive in a purpose clause. 15 Saturnalibus: Saturnalia, Saturnaliorum, n., festival of the Saturnalia beginning on 17 December, named for the god Saturnus equivalent to the Greek Titan Kronos; this was a festival where what should not be was accepted as what can be, a feast of reversal, reinforced by gift exchanges among friends, family, and others; Saturnalibus is in apposition with die (line 14); optimo is in apposition to Saturnalibus. 16 The word hoc refers to Calvus’ prank of giving such a bad book of poetry to Catullus. salse: salsus-a-um, adj., witt y, sharp, acute; salse is the vocative form directed to Calvus. abibit: abeo, abire, abii, come out, come off; here “be allowed to pass” for you (tibi) 17 luxerit: luceo, lucere, luxi, be light, be clear, shine; the verb form is future perfect indicative active, but is best translated, “if there will be light at dawn tomorrow.” librariorum: librarius-a-um, adj., pertaining to books, (as a substantive) transcriber of books 18 scrinia; scrinium, scrinii, n., a cylindrical box or case for letters or scrolls; scrinia implies (with librariorum) a booksellers shop. Caesios, Aquinos: plural forms of proper names intended to typify the bad poets whose writings make up the libellus 19 Suffenum: Suffenus, -i, m., Suffenus, a poet disliked by Catullus (Poem 22) colligam: colligo, colligere, collegi, collectum, gather, collect venena: venenum, -i, n., poison 20 suppliciis: supplicium, supplicii, n., a bowing down, petition, punishment, “instruments of torture”; the retribution which Catullus has in mind is the collection of bad poems which he will assemble as a return gift, characterized as venena and supplicia. remunerabor: remuneror, remunerari, remuneratus sum, repay, reward 21 Note the asyndeton with the imperatives in this line reflecting the intensity of the poet’s anger. 22 pedem: pes, pedis, m., foot; the pes is associated with a metrical foot and serves here as a punning reference to the meter, i.e. the poems themselves that Catullus despises. Catullus effectively refers both literally to the departure on foot of the pessimi poetae and figuratively to their bad step (pedem) into the world of poetry. 23 saecli=saeculi: saeculum, -i, n., age, era incommoda: incommodum, incommodi, n., trouble, loss, misfortune; incommoda is in apposition with the vocative pessimi poetae.

– 24 –

14A On the occasion of the feast of Saturnalia, Gaius Licinius Calvus (see poem 50, 53, 96), poet and close friend of Catullus, has sent him a gift for his reading pleasure. However, Catullus’ reaction to his receipt of the libellus shows extreme displeasure with its contents, since, most likely in keeping with the spirit of the occasion, the poems of the libellus are in fact of very poor quality, not at all on the level of the poetry of Catullus or Calvus. The meter is hendecasyllabic.

Ni te plus oculis meis amarem, iucundissime Calve, munere isto odissem te odio Vatiniano: nam quid feci ego quidve sum locutus, cur me tot male perderes poetis? isti di mala multa dent clienti, qui tantum tibi misit impiorum. quod si, ut suspicor, hoc novum ac repertum munus dat tibi Sulla litterator, non est mi male, sed bene ac beate, quod non dispereunt tui labores. di magni, horribilem et sacrum libellum, quem tu scilicet ad tuum Catullum misti, continuo ut die periret Saturnalibus, optimo dierum! non non hoc tibi, salse, sic abibit: nam, si luxerit, ad librariorum curram scrinia, Caesios, Aquinos, Suffenum, omnia colligam venena, ac te his suppliciis remunerabor. vos hinc interea valete abite illuc, unde malum pedem attulistis, saecli incommoda, pessimi poetae.

– 25 –

5

10

15

20

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3 5

6

7

8

probe: probe, adv., well, properly, correctly nosti = novisti: nosco, noscere, novi, notum, get to know venustus: venustus-a-um, adj., beautiful, charming, attractive dicax: dicax, dicacis, adj., witt y, sharp, sarcastic urbanus: urbanus-a-um, adj., of the city, of the town, sophisticated, “city slicker” versus: versus, -us, m., line of writing fit: fio, fieri, factus sum, prove to be, happen palimpseston (Greek accusative): palimpsestum, -i, n., an erased and reused manuscript relata: refero, referre, rett uli, relatum, transfer, carry c(h)artae: charta, -ae, f., sheet of papyrus, paper umbilici: umbilicus, -i, m., ornamental knobs at the end of the cylinder on which books were rolled lora: lorum, lori, n., strip of leather rubra: ruber-rubra-rubrum, adj., red, ruddy membranae: membrana, -ae, f., skin, parchment, possibly a sack or sleeve for the manuscript derecta = directa: dirigo, dirigere, direxi, directum, make straight, level plumbo: plumbum, -i, n., lead, ruler for drawing lines so that each line of the manuscript would be perfectly parallel

9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

20

21

– 26 –

bellus: bellus-a-um, adj., cute, fine, lovely caprimulgus: caprimulgus, -i, m., a milker of goats fossor: fossor, fossoris, m., digger, lout, clown rursus: rursus, adv., again, on the contrary abhorret: abhorreo, abhorrere, abhorrui, shrink back from, be inconsistent with, differ from scurra: scurra, -ae, m., jester, comedian, man-abouttown scitius: scitus-a-um, adj., knowing, shrewd, witt y infaceto: infacetus-a-um, adj., dull, not witt y rure: rus, ruris, n., the country, fields att igit: att ingo, att ingere, att igi, att actum, touch, come into contact with, undertake aeque: aeque, adv., equally gaudet: gaudeo, gaudere, gavisus sum, rejoice at, find joy in nimirum: nimirum, adv., without doubt, surely, clearly idem: idem (used as an adv.), in the same way, likewise fallimur: fallo, fallere, fefelli, falsum, to deceive, cheat att ributus: att ribuo, att ribuere, att ribui, att ributum, allot, bestow error: error, erroris, m., wandering, wavering, flaw manticae: mantica, -ae, f., knapsack

22 Suffenus is a bad poet according to Catullus because he is more concerned with the way the exterior of his works appears than with their contents. This is very different from the expectation which personal contact with Suffenus would arouse. In speech he is sharp-witted, intelligent and charming; in writing he is crude, unwitty and dull. But he has written a great deal and is only happy in the pursuit of writing. Catullus softens the sting of his critique by saying that it is easy to see the faults of others because they are in a sack in front of us and our own rest in a backpack whose position frustrates our view. The poem is written in limping iambics (choliambics or scazons).

Suffenus iste, Vare, quem probe nosti, homo est venustus et dicax et urbanus, idemque longe plurimos facit versus. puto esse ego illi milia aut decem aut plura perscripta, nec sic ut fit in palimpseston relata: cartae regiae, novi libri, novi umbilici, lora rubra membranae, derecta plumbo et pumice omnia aequata. haec cum legas tu, bellus ille et urbanus Suffenus unus caprimulgus aut fossor rursus videtur: tantum abhorret ac mutat. hoc quid putemus esse? qui modo scurra aut si quid hac re scitius videbatur, idem infaceto est infacetior rure, simul poemata attigit, neque idem umquam aeque est beatus ac poema cum scribit: tam gaudet in se tamque se ipse miratur. nimirum idem omnes fallimur, neque est quisquam quem non in aliqua re videre Suffenum possis. suus cuique attributus est error; sed non videmus manticae quod in tergo est.

– 27 –

5

10

15

20

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

immemor: immemor, immemoris, adj., unmindful; “heedless of obligation” unanimis: unanimus-a-um, adj., of one mind, faithful false: falsus-a-um, adj., false, disloyal (governs the dative case here) sodalibus: sodalis, -is, m., friend, comrade iam: iam, adv., now, in the surprised sense of “just now” miseret: misereo, miserere, miserui, take pity on, move someone to have pity for or on (with genitive case); this impersonal verb takes a direct object and a genitive; here “have you no pity at all for…” amiculi: the diminutive form of amicus reveals the special affection of the poet. prodere: prodo, prodere, prodidi, proditum, betray fallere: fallo, fallere, fefelli, falsum, deceive

8 9 10

11

12

4

fallacum: fallax, fallacis, adj., deceitful, deceptive

5

quae, refering to the sum of all the things referenced or implied by lines 1–4, “all these things” neglegis: here in the sense of “ignore” or “make light of” faciant, subjunctive in indirect question; homines is nominative plural. tute, intensive form of tu iubebas: iubeo, iubere, iussi, iussum, order, compel tradere: trado, tradere, tradidi, traditum, hand over, entrust inique: iniquus-a-um, adj., unfair, unjust

6 7

2

6 7 8 9

ocelle: ocellus, -i, m., eye, here “jewel” liquentibus: liquens, liquentis, adj., liquid, fluid, clear stagnis: stagnum, -i, n., standing or still water liquisse: linquo, linquere, liqui, leave, abandon solutis: solvo, solvere, solvi, solutum, release, set free peregrino: peregrinus-a-um, adj., foreign larem: lar, laris, m., household god, (by metonymy) hearth, dwelling, home

10

12 13 14

– 28 –

amorem, not sexual but emotional forent=essent retrahis: retraho, retrahere, retraxi, retractum, draw back irrita: irritus-a-um, adj., worthless, unsettled, null and void nebulas: nebula, -ae, f., cloud aereus-a-um, adj., copper or bronze colored; some texts read aerius-a-um here: airy, loft y sinis: sino, sinere, sivi, situm, permit, allow oblitus es: obliviscor, oblivisci, oblitus sum, forget at: at, conj., yet di=dei meminerunt: memini, meminisse, remember quae, refering to Fides, the cult goddess of Good Faith, and in the nominative case, subject of faciet paeniteat: paenitet, paenitere, paenituit, (impersonal verb) it pains; the form is in the subjunctive mood in a clause of result introduced by faciet, and takes an accusative of the person affected (te) and a genitive to express the thing causing the affliction (facti). A literal translation would be “who will bring it about so that it pains you shortly of your deed.”

acquiescimus: acquiesco, acquiescere, acquievi, acquietum, become physically quiet, repose, rest lecto: lectus, -i, m., bed ero: erus, -i, m., master of the house (in respect to servants), owner Lydiae: Lydius-a-um, adj., Lydian, Etruscan lacus: lacus, -us, m., lake, pond cachinnorum: cachinnus, -i, m., loud laugh, a jeering; used by some authors to suggest the noise of clashing waves

30 In addressing a certain Alfenus, perhaps the Varus of poems 10 and 22, Catullus poses four rhetorical questions (lines 1-6) and then offers possible responses (line 7–12). The vocabulary of despair and depression characterizes the poet’s collapsed relationship with Alfenus. This is the only poem of the Catullan corpus in the greater Asclepiadean meter.

Alfene immemor atque unanimis false sodalibus, iam te nil miseret, dure, tui dulcis amiculi? iam me prodere, iam non dubitas fallere, perfide? nec facta impia fallacum hominum caelicolis placent. quae tu neglegis, ac me miserum deseris in malis; eheu quid faciant, dic, homines cuive habeant fidem? certe tute iubebas animam tradere, inique, <me> inducens in amorem, quasi tuta omnia mi forent. idem nunc retrahis te ac tua dicta omnia factaque ventos irrita ferre ac nebulas aereas sinis. si tu oblitus es, at di meminerunt, meminit Fides, quae te ut paeniteat postmodo facti faciet tui.

5

10

31 This poem expresses the poet’s joy upon return to his native Sirmio after the celebrated trip to Bithynia completed in 56 bc. The poem lends itself to associations with Poems 4 and 46. The meter is limping iambics (choliambics or scazons).

Paene insularum, Sirmio, insularumque ocelle, quascumque in liquentibus stagnis marique vasto fert uterque Neptunus, quam te libenter quamque laetus inviso, vix mi ipse credens Thuniam atque Bithunos liquisse campos et videre te in tuto. O quid solutis est beatius curis, cum mens onus reponit, ac peregrino labore fessi venimus larem ad nostrum, desideratoque acquiescimus lecto? hoc est quod unum est pro laboribus tantis. salve, O venusta Sirmio, atque ero gaude gaudente, vosque, O Lydiae lacus undae, ridete quidquid est domi cachinnorum. – 29 –

5

10

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1 2

4 5 7

8 10

12

tenero: tener-tenera-tenerum, adj., gentle velim: present subjunctive from volo, velle, volui, wish, want papyre: papyrus, -i, m./f., papyrus Lariumque: Larius-a-um, adj., of or belonging to Lake Como cogitationes: cogitatio, cogitationis, f., reflection sapiet: sapio, sapere, sapivi, have a sense of, have a taste of, have knowledge of, be wise vorabit: voro, vorare, voravi, voratum, swallow, devour quamvis: quamvis, conj., although milies: milies, adv., a thousand, innumerable times ambas: ambo-ae-o, adj., both iniciens: inicio, inicere, inieci, iniectum, throw on, cast on morari: moror, morari, moratus sum, delay deperit: depereo, deperire, deperii, be desperately in love with impotente: impotens, impotentis, adj., uncontrollable

13

14

15 16

17 18

legit: lego, legere, legi, lectum, read incohatam: incohatus-a-um, adj., begun (not finished) Dindymi dominam: Dindymus is a mountain in Phrygia and was the center of worship for the mother goddess Cybele. misellae: misellus-a-um, adj., poor little edunt: edo, edere, edi, esum, consume medullam: medulla, -ae, f., marrow ignosco: ignosco, ignoscere, ignovi, ignotum, pardon, forgive, excuse, have sympathy for Sapphica: Sapphicus-a-um, adj., of or belonging to Sappho, the great lyric poet from the island of Lesbos doctior: doctus-a-um, adj., learned venuste: venuste, adv., charmingly incohata: incoho, incohare, incohavi, incohatum, begin Caecilio: dative of agent Magna Mater is the title of Caecilius’ new poem.

Marble head of a young man found in the ‘House of the Citharist’ in Pompeii. Line drawing by Malachy Egan. – 30 –

35 This hendecasyllabic poem invites Caecilius, an otherwise unknown writer-friend of Catullus, to leave his home town of Como in northern Italy and visit Catullus in Verona. The poem becomes a metrical letter; it is one of the few pieces which can be dated, since the settlement of New Como was established by Julius Caesar in 59 bc.

Poetae tenero, meo sodali, velim Caecilio, papyre, dicas Veronam veniat, Novi relinquens Comi moenia Lariumque litus. nam quasdam volo cogitationes amici accipiat sui meique. quare, si sapiet, viam vorabit, quamvis candida milies puella euntem revocet, manusque collo ambas iniciens roget morari. quae nunc, si mihi vera nuntiantur, illum deperit impotente amore. nam quo tempore legit incohatam Dindymi dominam, ex eo misellae ignes interiorem edunt medullam. ignosco tibi, Sapphica puella musa doctior; est enim venuste Magna Caecilio incohata Mater.

– 31 –

5

10

15

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

4

5

6 7 8

9 10

Annales: annalis, -is, m., yearly record, annal cacata: caco, cacare, cacavi, cacatum, defile, defecate carta: carta, -ae, f., paper solvite: solvo, solvere, solvi, solutum, dissolve, break up, free, release votum: votum, -i, n., solemn vow vovit: voveo, vovere, vovi, votum, vow restitutus: restituo, restituere, restitui, restitutum, restore desissemque: desino, desinere, desii, desitum, give up, abandon, stop from truces: trux, trucis, adj., savage, grim, fierce vibrare: vibro, vibrare, vibravi, vibratum, brandish, shake, flick electissima: electus-a-um, adj., select, picked tardipedi: tardipes, tardipedis, adj., slow-footed, limping infelicibus: infelix, infelicis, adj., unlucky ustulanda: ustulo, ustulare, ustulavi, ustulatum, burn a little, scorch lignis: lignum, -i, n., wood, firewood Pessima must be nominative case to fit the meter. iocose: iocose, adv., humorously lepide: lepide, adv., charmingly

11 12

13

14 15

16 19

– 32 –

caeruleo: caeruleus-a-um, adj., blue creata: creo, creare, creavi, creatum, create, beget Idalium was a city on Cyprus, center for the worship of Venus. Uriosque: Urii may refer to Uria, a city in the southern part of Apulia between Brundisium and Tarentum. Ancona was a town near Picenum, modern Osculi Piceno, on Italy’s Adriatic coast. Cnidus was the famed point on the southwest coast of Asia Minor where Praxiteles’ great statue of Aphrodite was displayed. harundinosam: harundinosus-a-um, adj., overgrown with reeds Amathunta ... Golgos: Amathus and Golgi were two towns located on Cyprus. Durrachium was the landing port in Illyria for ships which departed from Brundisium, and hence was a very heavily used seaport. face: imperative form of facio (here instead of the more usual fac). pleni: plenus-a-um, adj., full of (with genitive) inficetiarum: inficetiae, -arum, f., coarse jokes

36 This poem conveys the impression that Lesbia has made a vow to Venus and Cupid that if Catullus would return to her and would end his sarcastic writing, she would offer up in sacrifice the best poems of the worst poet. The implication is that to Lesbia this meant that she would sacrifice selected verses of Catullus. But to Catullus, this means the poetry of that most awful poet Volusius. The meter is hendecasyllabic.

Annales Volusi, cacata carta, votum solvite pro mea puella. nam sanctae Veneri Cupidinique vovit, si sibi restitutus essem desissemque truces vibrare iambos, electissima pessimi poetae scripta tardipedi deo daturam infelicibus ustulanda lignis. et hoc pessima se puella vidit iocose lepide vovere divis. nunc o caeruleo creata ponto, quae sanctum Idalium Uriosque apertos quaeque Ancona Cnidumque harundinosam colis quaeque Amathunta quaeque Golgos quaeque Durrachium Hadriae tabernam, acceptum face redditumque votum, si non illepidum neque invenustum est. at vos interea venite in ignem, pleni ruris et inficetiarum annales Volusi, cacata carta.

– 33 –

5

10

15

20

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

4

1

2 3

4

quaenam: quinam-quaenam-quodnam, inter. adj., what (a strong interrogative) miselle: misellus-a-um, adj., wretched, miserable, pathetic (diminuative form of miser-miseramiserum) Ravide is vocative and must be pronounced as Raude, two syllables not three; this may be deliberate by Catullus to mock Ravidus. iambos: iambus, -i, m., iambic poetry; refers to Catullus’ hostile invectives aimed at those who displease him. quis, equivalent to an interrogative adjective modifying deus advocatus: advoco, advocare, advocavi, advocatum, invoke vecordem: vecors, vecordis, adj., senseless, mad, insane rixam: rixa, rixae, f., brawl, quarrel

Salve: salveo, salvere, salui, be healthy; the imperative form means “hail” or “hello.” naso: nasus, -i, m., nose bello: bellus-a-um, adj., prett y, attractive digitis: digitus, -i, m., finger ore: os, oris, n., mouth sicco: siccus-a-um, adj., dry sane: sane, adv., really, fully nec nimis: nec nimis, adv., not particularly

5

6 7

8

5 7

8

pervenias: pervenio, pervenire, perveni, perventum, reach, come to; pervenias is subjunctive mood in a purpose clause introduced by the understood verb fecisti. ora: os, oris, n., mouth, lips vulgi: vulgus, -i, n., crowd, people qualubet: qualubet=qualibet, adv., everywhere, where you will, in any way you please quandoquidem: quandoquidem, conj., since indeed, seeing that, since amores: Catullus here uses the plural form to refer to a lover; see also poems 10.1 and 45.1. The longa poena amounts to the continued existence of this poem; essentially, as in poem 14, the punishment is poetry, but in this instance the poem itself is the punishment.

decoctoris: decoctor, decoctoris, m., bankrupt While apparently using the “royal we,” Catullus may imply by his use of nostra that Lesbia, because she is so wonderfully beautiful, belongs to all those who appreciate beauty. saeclum: saeculum, -i, n., age infacetum: infacetus-a-um, adj., dull

Wall painting of a girl pouring perfume from ‘The Farnesina,’ a luxurious Roman house along the Tiber. Line drawing by Malachy Egan. – 34 –

40 Apparently the otherwise unknown Ravidus of this poem has dared to make a play for Catullus’ beloved Lesbia. This action has therefore drawn the fierce ire of Catullus, who directs a series of rhetorical questions at him (lines 1–6), capped with a promise of future suffering (lines 7–8). The meter is hendecasyllabic.

Quaenam te mala mens, miselle Ravide, agit praecipitem in meos iambos? quis deus tibi non bene advocatus vecordem parat excitare rixam? an ut pervenias in ora vulgi? quid vis? qualubet esse notus optas? eris, quandoquidem meos amores cum longa voluisti amare poena.

5

43 This hendecasyllabic poem expresses shock and dismay at any attempt to compare the matchless Lesbia with anybody, particularly the addressed though unnamed girlfriend of the man from Formio, Mamurra.

Salve, nec minimo puella naso nec bello pede nec nigris ocellis nec longis digitis nec ore sicco nec sane nimis elegante lingua, decoctoris amica Formiani. ten provincia narrat esse bellam? tecum Lesbia nostra comparatur? O saeclum insapiens et infacetum!

– 35 –

5

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2 3 4

5 6

7

8

9

funde: fundus, -i, m., a piece of land, a farm, an estate Sabine: Sabinus-a-um, adj., Sabine, of or belonging to the Sabines, a people who neighbored the Latins and who eventually merged with the original settlers of Romulus’ Rome; Catullus intends to contrast a rustic and unpretentious villa with its opposite, namely a sophisticated and aristocratic villa. Tiburs: Tiburs, Tiburtis, adj., of or belonging to Tibur (Tivoli), a town on the Anio river, northeast of Rome, considered a fashionable and aristocratic location for one’s country estate or villa autumant: autumo, autumare, autumavi, autumatum, affirm, assert laedere: laedo, laedere, laesi, laesum, to knock, hurt, strike quovis: quivis-quaevis-quodvis, (indefinite adjective) any, any you please, any at all pignore: pignus, pignoris, n., pledge, token quovis pignore contendere: (an idiom) to bet anything verius: verus-a-um, adj., true, real fui libenter: idiomatic for “I was delighted” suburbana: suburbanus-a-um, adj., situated near Rome expuli: expello, expellere, expuli, expulsum, drive out, drive away, eject tussim: tussis, tussis, f., cough immerenti: immerens, immerentis, adj., undeserving venter: venter, ventris, m., stomach (metonymy for greed or appetite) sumptuosas: sumptuosus-a-um, adj., very expensive, costly, lavish, extravagant appeto: appeto, appetere, appetivi, appetitum, strive after, try to get, grasp after, have an appetite for

10 11 12

13 14

15

16 17

18

19

– 36 –

conviva: conviva, -ae, m., guest, table companion petitorem: petitor, petitoris, m., candidate plenam: plenus-a-um, adj., full of (with genitive case) veneni: venenum, -i, n., poison pestilentiae: pestilentia, -ae, f., plague, sickness, unwholesome atmosphere legi: lego, legere, legi, lectum, read, pick, traverse gravedo: gravedo, gravedinis, f., cold, head cold quassavit: quasso, quassare, quassavi, quassatum, keep shaking or tossing sinum: sinus, -us, m., bay, curve, fold, lap fugi: fugio, fugere, fugi, fugitum, flee recuravi: recuro, recurare, recuravi, recuratum, restore, refresh, restore to health urtica: urtica, -ae, f., nettle (an herb); notice how this line uses two fundamentally different things, otio and urtica, instrumentally with the same verb; this figure of speech is zeugma. refectus: refectus-a-um, adj., refreshed ulta: ulciscor, ulcisci, ultus sum, avenge oneself on, punish peccatum: peccatum, -i, n., slip, fault, mistake deprecor: deprecor, deprecari, deprecatus sum, pray against nefaria: nefarius-a-um, adj., impious, abominable recepso: recipio, recipere, recepi, receptum, welcome into one’s house; this form is an archaic future perfect. quin: conjunction regularly used in a clause of doubt, introduced here by deprecor

44 Sestius, a friend of Catullus, has invited the poet to dinner. However, before he goes, Catullus must read a speech recently written by Sestius. The speech is so chilling from a literary point of view that Catullus contracts a cold and must return to his safe, sound but simple abode where he can recover. Like Poems 8, 22, and 31, the meter is limping iambic (choliambic or scazon).

O funde noster seu Sabine seu Tiburs (nam te esse Tiburtem autumant, quibus non est cordi Catullum laedere; at quibus cordi est, quovis Sabinum pignore esse contendunt), sed seu Sabine sive verius Tiburs, fui libenter in tua suburbana villa, malamque pectore expuli tussim, non immerenti quam mihi meus venter, dum sumptuosas appeto, dedit, cenas. nam, Sestianus dum volo esse conviva, orationem in Antium petitorem plenam veneni et pestilentiae legi. hic me gravedo frigida et frequens tussis quassavit usque, dum in tuum sinum fugi, et me recuravi otioque et urtica. quare refectus maximas tibi grates ago, meum quod non es ulta peccatum. nec deprecor iam, si nefaria scripta Sesti recepso, quin gravedinem et tussim non mi, sed ipsi Sestio ferat frigus, qui tunc vocat me, cum malum librum legi.

– 37 –

5

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20

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2 3 4 5

6 7

8 9

10

11 12

13

Acmen: Acme, -es, f., Acme, the name of a Greek woman; this is a Greek accusative form. Septimius: name of Acme’s lover gremio: gremium, -ii, n., lap perdite: perdite, adv., recklessly porro: porro, adv., further, on and on assidue: assidue, adv., continually pote = potest perire: pereo, perire, perii, peritum, be desperately in love tosta: torreo, torrere, torrui, tostum, roast, bake, burn caesio: caesius-a-um, gray-eyed, blue-eyed obvius: obvius-a-um, adj., meeting with (with dative) Amor is Cupid. sternuit: sternuo, sternuere, sternui, sneeze, sputter approbationem: approbatio, approbationis, f., approval leviter: leviter, adv., lightly, a little reflectens: reflecto, reflectere, reflexi, reflexum, bend back, turn back ebrios: ebrius-a-um, adj., drunken purpureo: purpureus-a-um, adj., deep red ore: os, oris, n., mouth suaviata: suavior, suaviari, suaviatus sum, kiss Septimille is the diminutive, vocative form of Septimius.

14

usque: usque, adv., continually serviamus: servio, servire, servivi, be a servant or slave to 16 mollibus: mollis-molle, adj., soft, gentle medullis: medulla, -ae, f., marrow 19 auspicio: auspicium, -ii, n., augury, the study of the flight of birds; for Romans the left side was the pars familiaris. Acme sits in Septimius’ lap and thus her right side meets with Septimius’ left side. Perhaps Cupid sneezes on both sides to seal the good fortune of each no matter what position they are in. This might explain the use of auspicio, a direct reference to the process of such determinings. profecti: proficiscor, proficisci, profectus sum, set out, advance, walk away 20 amant amantur: example of polyptoton and asyndeton 21 The chiasmus in this line gives the impression that Acme has Septimius wrapped up. 22 The references to Syrias Britanniasque may suggest the year 55 bc, when expeditions by Crassus and Caesar were being discussed. 23 Uno recalls unam of line 21. 24 delicias libidinesque: hendiadys libidinesque: libido, libidinis, f., longing, fancy, inclination 26 Venerem: the goddess Venus, (by metonymy) love auspicatiorem: auspicatus-a-um, adj., well-omened

– 38 –

45 This carefully constructed poem presents paired dialogue between a Greek woman, Acme, and her Roman lover, Septimius. From the opening contraposition of their names, the poem uses doublets and pairings throughout. The couple’s artificial and hyperbolic responses create an exchange, which the reader/listener is asked to evaluate by the final rhetorical question, “Has anybody ever seen a more auspicious love?” The reader/ listener is tempted to say, “Of course, we have! It’s you and Lesbia.” The meter is hendecasyllabic.

Acmen Septimius suos amores tenens in gremio ‘mea’ inquit ‘Acme, ni te perdite amo atque amare porro omnes sum assidue paratus annos, quantum qui pote plurimum perire, solus in Libya Indiaque tosta caesio veniam obvius leoni.’ hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante dextra sternuit approbationem. at Acme leviter caput reflectens et dulcis pueri ebrios ocellos illo purpureo ore suaviata, ‘sic,’ inquit ‘mea vita Septimille, huic uni domino usque serviamus, ut multo mihi maior acriorque ignis mollibus ardet in medullis.’ hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante dextra sternuit approbationem. nunc ab auspicio bono profecti mutuis animis amant amantur. unam Septimius misellus Acmen mavult quam Syrias Britanniasque: uno in Septimio fidelis Acme facit delicias libidinesque. quis ullos homines beatiores vidit, quis Venerem auspicatiorem?

– 39 –

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15

20

25

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2 3

4 5

1

ver: ver, veris, n., spring-time egelidos: egelidus-a-um, adj., chilly, chill, mild tepores: tepor, teporis, m., gentle warmth, lukewarmness aequinoctialis: aequinoctialis-aequinoctiale, adj., time of equal day and night, equinoctial iucundis: iucundus-a-um, adj., pleasant, agreeable Zephyri: Zephyrus, -i, m., west wind silescit: silesco, silescere, be silent, grow quiet aureis: aura, -ae, f., wind, breeze; aureis = auris Phrygii campi = Bithyni campi (Poem 31, line 5) Nicaeaeque: Nicaea, -ae, f., Nicaea, capital city of Bithynia uber: uber, uberis, adj., fruitful aestuosae: aestuosus-a-um, adj., billowy, sultry

7

disertissime: disertus-a-um, adj., articulate, eloquent nepotum: nepos, nepotis, m., descendant, grandchild

2 fuere = fuerunt 6/7 tanto ... quanto: by as much as ... so much

8 9 11

praetrepidans: praetrepidans, praetrepidantis, adj., excited, eager, very nervous, trembling with anticipation avet: aveo, avere, wish, want, desire strongly vagari: vagor, vagari, vagatus sum, wander vigescunt: vigesco, vigescere, vigui, gain strength, become lively, become vigorous coetus: coetus, -us, m., meeting, crowd varie: varie, adv., differently

Bust of Cicero, second century ad.

– 40 –

46 Most probably this poem celebrates Catullus’ personal anticipation in the spring of 56 bc of departure from Bithynia for home via famed places along the return route. The meter is hendecasyllabic.

Iam ver egelidos refert tepores, iam caeli furor aequinoctialis iucundis Zephyri silescit aureis. linquantur Phrygii, Catulle, campi Nicaeaeque ager uber aestuosae: ad claras Asiae volemus urbes. iam mens praetrepidans avet vagari, iam laeti studio pedes vigescunt. O dulces comitum valete coetus, longe quos simul a domo profectos diversae varie viae reportant.

5

10

49 This puzzling hendecasyllabic poem, addressed to Cicero, can be either sarcastic or flattering. Could the poet be grateful to Cicero for omitting reference to his name in the Pro Caelio, a speech delivered in 56 bc, which defamed Clodia (Lesbia) at one point? But, how could Catullus praise the one orator who destroyed his lover’s reputation? Since the poet holds himself and his work in high esteem, by as much as he is the “worst” of poets, so is Cicero the “best” lawyer (patronus), a subtle denunciation of the orator by the poet.

Disertissime Romuli nepotum, quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli, quotque post aliis erunt in annis, gratias tibi maximas Catullus agit pessimus omnium poeta, tanto pessimus omnium poeta, quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

– 41 –

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1 2 3

4

5

6

hesterno: hesternus-a-um, adj., yesterday otiosi: otiosus-a-um, adj., at leisure, relaxing lusimus: ludo, ludere, lusi, lusum, play tabellis: tabella, -ae, f., board, writing tablet convenerat: convenio, convenire, conveni, conventum, be fitting or proper; (impersonal usage) it is agreed delicatos: delicatus-a-um, adj., cute, fancy, racy versiculos: versiculus, -i, m., small verse, bits of verse uterque: uterque-utraque-utrumque, (indefinite adjective/pronoun) each one of two, both nostrum: of us (genitive plural of the first personal pronoun) ludebat: ludo, ludere, lusi, lusum, play numero: numerus, -i, m., meter modo: modo, adv., just, now, only recently reddens: reddo, reddere, reddidi, redditum, return, give back mutua: mutuus-a-um, adj., mutual; understood is dicta.

7 8

10 11 12 15 16 19 20 21

illinc: illinc, adv., from there lepore: lepor, -oris, m., pleasantness, charm, wit incensus: incensus-a-um, adj., inflamed, burned up, set on fire facetiisque: facetiae, -arum, f., clever talk, humor tegeret: tego, tegere, texi, tectum, cover, protect indomitus: indomitus-a-um, adj., untamed, wild versarer: verso, versare, versavi, versatum, turn lectulo: lectulus, -i, m., small couch, cot iucunde: iucundus-a-um, adj., pleasing, delightful poema: poema, poematis, n., poem (a Greek noun) despuas: despuo, despuere, despui, desputum, spit upon, show contempt for Nemesis is the goddess of vengeance. vemens = vehemens: vehemens, vehementis, adj., violent, impetuous, vehement laedere: laedo, laedere, laesi, laesum, offend, hurt caveto: second person singular future imperative

Roman orator, from Costumes of the Greeks and Romans by Thomas Hope. – 42 –

50 Licinius Calvus, friend of Catullus, was an orator and poet. Here Catullus and his friend exchanged witty barbs to such an extent that Catullus is apparently moved very much by his talented friend. The mock serious tone of this hendecasyllabic poem presages a second appearance of Calvus in Poem 53.

Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi multum lusimus in meis tabellis, ut convenerat esse delicatos: scribens versiculos uterque nostrum ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc, reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum. atque illinc abii tuo lepore incensus, Licini, facetiisque, ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos, sed toto indomitus furore lecto versarer, cupiens videre lucem, ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem. at defessa labore membra postquam semimortua lectulo iacebant, hoc, iucunde, tibi poema feci, ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem. nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras, oramus, cave despuas, ocelle, ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te. est vemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.

– 43 –

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 3

5 6 7 9 10

1

2

3

adversus: adversus-a-um, adj., opposite, facing identidem: identidem, adv., again and again, constantly dulce: dulce, adv., sweetly ridentem: rideo, ridere, risi, risum, smile mihi: dative of separation nam simul: for as soon as aspexi: aspicio, aspicere, aspexi, aspectum, catch sight of, spot, look closely at, observe torpet: torpeo, torpere, torpui, be numb, be stiff tenuis: tenuis-tenue, adj., tender demanat: demano, demanare, demanavi, flow down sonitu: sonitus, -us, m., sound suopte: suopte, adj., form of suus = suo + pte; an emphatic ablative

11

Num: num is a particle which expects a negative response. leaena: leaena, -ae, f., lioness Libystinis: Libystinus-a-um, adj., African Scylla is the Homeric sea monster whose seaweedgirdled waist conceals six barking dogs, but whose upper body is female. The language of lines 1–3 is very similar to that of 64 lines 154– 156. latrans: latro, latrare, latravi, latratum, bark infi ma: infi mus-a-um, adj., lowest inguinum: inguen, inguinis, n., groin taetra: taeter-taetra-taetrum, adj., repulsive, offensive

4

13

14

5

– 44 –

tintinant: tintino, tintinare, tintinavi, ring, tingle aures: auris, auris, f., ear gemina: geminus-a-um, adj., twin, both; this adjective is in the ablative case. teguntur: tego, tegere, texi, tectum, cover, cloak otium: otium, otii, n., free time, ease, leisure molestum: molestus-a-um, adj., troublesome, irksome exsultas: exsulto, exsultare, exsultavi, exsultatum, revel in, boast about gestis: gestio, gestire, gestivi, gestitum, throw oneself about, be cheerful about, long for

supplicis: supplex, supplicis, adj., (substantive) a supplicant novissimo: novissimus-a-um, adj., newest, last, most recent casu: casus, -us, m., event, misfortune, crisis contemptam: contemptus-a-um, adj., despised, despicable haberes, with the sense of “regard” a:a, inter., an interjection expressing various feelings such as regret, distress, pity nimis: nimis, adv., too much, excessively fero: ferus-a-um, adj., hard, fierce, wild corde: cor, cordis, n. heart; a nimis fero corde: “ah, (you) with a heart much too savage”

51 Using a poem by Sappho as a model, Catullus has translated the original Greek into Latin but has also liberally used figures of speech throughout his version. The poem is inspired by the poet’s sense of awe upon seeing, even imagining, the stunning and spellbinding presence of his beautiful Lesbia. The meter is Sapphic as in Poem 11.

Ille mi par esse deo videtur, ille, si fas est, superare divos, qui sedens adversus identidem te spectat et audit dulce ridentem, misero quod omnis eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te, Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi ************* lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus flamma demanat, sonitu suopte tintinant aures, gemina teguntur lumina nocte. otium, Catulle, tibi molestum est: otio exsultas nimiumque gestis: otium et reges prius et beatas perdidit urbes.

5

10

15

60 Lacking an addressee, this single sentence poem poses a weighty rhetorical question aimed at the unknown person who has shown an appalling lack of concern for the poet by ignoring the special desperation of the moment and the poet’s crying need for attention. The meter is limping iambic (choliambic).

Num te leaena montibus Libystinis aut Scylla latrans infima inguinum parte tam mente dura procreavit ac taetra, ut supplicis vocem in novissimo casu contemptam haberes, a nimis fero corde?

– 45 –

5

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 50 priscis: priscus-a-um, adj., ancient, venerable (transferred epithet) variata: vario, variare, variavi, variatum, vary; here in the sense of “adorned with” 51 heroum: heros, herois, m., hero 52 fluentisono: fluentisonus-a-um, adj., resounding with waves Diae: Dia, -ae, f., Dia is the name of an island north of Crete; some claim it was the ancient name of the modern island of Naxos. 53 Thesea: Theseus, Athenian hero; Thesea is a Greek accusative. cedentem: cedo, cedere, cessi, cessum, depart, withdraw tuetur: tueor, tueri, tuitus sum, watch, see, look at 54 Ariadna: Ariadna, -ae, f., daughter of Minos, King of Crete 56 utpote: utpote, adv., as is possible, seeing that, in as much as 58 pellit: pello, pellere, pepuli, pulsum, beat, strike, push vada: vadum, -i, n., sea, water, shoal 59 irrita: irritus-a-um, adj., invalid, worthless, null and void ventosae: ventosus-a-um, adj., windy, fickle, inconstant 60 alga: alga, -ae, f., sea-weed Minois: Minois, Minoidis, f., daughter of King Minos of Crete (Ariadne) 61 saxea: saxeus-a-um, adj., rocky ut: ut, adv., as, just as effigies: effigies, -ei, f., statue, image bacchantis: bacchor, bacchari, bacchatus sum, to rave like a Bacchant (a wild devotee of the god of wine and frenzy, Bacchus) eheu: eheu, interj., alas 62 fluctuat: fluctuo, fluctuare, fluctuavi, fluctuatum, move in waves, waver, vacillate, toss 63 flavo: flavus-a-um, adj., yellow, golden subtilem: subtilis, -e, adj., finely woven, dainty, delicate vertice: vertex, -icis, m. top, head; here in the sense of “hair” (note the metonymy) mitram: mitra, -ae, f., head-dress, bonnet, ceremonial cap or diadem

64 contecta: contego, contegere, contexi, contectum, cover, hide, conceal; the perfect passive participle governs pectus (accusative of respect), as vincta governs papillas (line 65). velatum: velo, velare, velavi, velatum, clothe, veil, conceal amictu: amictus, -us, m., dress, clothing, garment 65 tereti: teres, teretis, adj., elegant, shapely strophio: strophium, strophii, n., breast-band lactentis: lactens, -entis, adj., milky, milk-white vincta: vincio, vincire, vinxi, vinctum, bind papillas: papilla, -ae, f., breast 66 omnia, accusative case, object of the verb adludebant (line 67) 67 adludebant: adludo, adludere, adlusi, adlusum, play, play with 68 fluitantis: fluito, fluitare, fluitavi, fluitatum, flow, float 69 vicem: the accusative of a defective noun for “change” that in the singular occurs in the genitive and ablative forms only; the accusative form usually is adverbial. Here vicem has the meaning of “for” and governs the two genitives in the preceding line. 70 perdita: perditus-a-um, adj., desperate, abandoned 71 a: ah! (interjection) externavit=exsternavit: exsterno, exsternare, exsternavi, exsternatum, terrify, make mad 72 spinosas: spinosos-a-um, adj., thorny, difficult Erycina: Erycinus-a-um, adj., of or pertaining to Mt. Eryx in Sicily, sacred to Venus, an epithet for Venus serens: sero, serere, sevi, satum, sow 73 tempestate: tempestas, tempestatis, f., time, the weather, storm; a very general reference to the time of Theseus’ legendary escapade to Crete 74 egressus: egredior, egredi, egressus sum, go out, put to sea Piraei: Piraeus, -i, m., Piraeus, the port of Athens 75 att igit: att ingo, att ingere, att igi, att actum, touch, arrive at Gortynia: Gortynius-a-um, adj., Gortynian, from town of Gortyna on Crete templa is metonymy for the famous Cretan palace of King Minos.

– 46 –

64 Lines 50–75 Catullus’ most ambitious undertaking, Poem 64 takes the form of an epyllion, or small-scale epic, dealing with the myth of the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Its 408 lines, however, are structured as a “tale within a tale” (ecphrasis) as the story of the wedding is interrupted by an inner tale on the myth of Ariadne and Theseus (lines 50–264, from which this excerpt is taken). The link between the two tales is a marriage couch on view at the wedding: it is adorned with a coverlet on which Ariadne is shown abandoned by Theseus on the deserted island of Dia (perhaps the ancient name of Naxos). The plight of Ariadne is masterfully depicted by Catullus in a style that breaks sharply with his normal “lyric” mode but maintains the emotional quality for which the poet is famous. The meter is dactylic hexameter.

haec vestis priscis hominum variata figuris heroum mira virtutes indicat arte. namque fluentisono prospectans litore Diae, Thesea cedentem celeri cum classe tuetur indomitos in corde gerens Ariadna furores, necdum etiam sese quae visit visere credit, utpote fallaci quae tum primum excita somno desertam in sola miseram se cernat harena. immemor at iuvenis fugiens pellit vada remis, irrita ventosae linquens promissa procellae. quem procul ex alga maestis Minois ocellis, saxea ut effigies bacchantis prospicit, eheu, prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis, non flavo retinens subtilem vertice mitram, non contecta levi velatum pectus amictu, non tereti strophio lactentis vincta papillas, omnia quae toto delapsa e corpore passim ipsius ante pedes fluctus salis adludebant. sed neque tum mitrae neque tum fluitantis amictus illa vicem curans toto ex te pectore, Theseu, toto animo, tota pendebat perdita mente. a misera, assiduis quam luctibus externavit spinosas Erycina serens in pectore curas, illa tempestate, ferox quo tempore Theseus egressus curvis e litoribus Piraei attigit iniusti regis Gortynia templa.

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50

55

60

65

70

75

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 76

77

78 79

80

82 83

84 86

87 88 89

90 91 93

94

perhibent: perhibeo, perhibere, perhibui, perhibitum, assert, call, say coactam, modifying Cecropiam (line 79) Androgeoneae: Androgeoneus-a-um, adj., of or pertaining to Androgeus, a son of King Minos, who was murdered by Aegeus, King of Athens, because of the former’s constant wrestling victories in Athenian games; Minos besieged Athens and forced Aegeus, father of Theseus, to send annually fourteen Athenian youths (7 boys and 7 girls) to Crete, where they became fodder for the half-bull, half-man cannibal, the Minotaur. This arrangement prevented war between Athens and Crete. exsolvere: exsolvo, exsolvere, exsolvi, exsolutum, pay, exact electos: eligo, eligere, elegi, electum, choose, pick decus: decus, decoris, n., glory, “the flower” Cecropiam: Cecropius-a-um, adj., Athenian, from King Cecrops of Athens; Cecropiam is used as a substantive here, meaning Athens. dapem: daps, dapis, f., religious feast, a sacrificial meal quis=quibus angusta: angustus-a-um, narrow vexarentur: vexo, vexare, vexavi, vexatum, trouble, harass, toss violently Cretam: Creta, -ae, f., Crete; here meaning “to Crete” without any preposition funera: funus, funeris, n., burial, corpse; funera… nec funera gives the sense of living corpses, that is, the living youths are sent to their deaths on Crete. Note the oxymoron. nitens: nitor, niti, nisus sum, press onward auris: aura, -ae, f., wind, breeze, air simul ac: simul ac, conj., as soon as lumine: lumen, luminis, n., light; here in the sense of “eye” suavis: suavis, -e, adj., sweet, delightful castus: castus-a-um, adj., pure, chaste, innocent alebat: alo, alere, alui, altum, rear, raise Eurotae: Eurotas, -ae, m., the Eurotas was a river in southern Greece. progignunt: progigno, progignere, progenui, progenitum, beget, produce myrtos: myrtus, -i, f., myrtle verna: vernus-a-um, adj., of spring flagrantia: flagrans, flagrantis, adj., burning, glowing, blazing funditus: funditus, adv., utterly, completely exarsit: exardesco, exardescere, exarsi, exarsum, blaze out, kindle, take fire medullis: medulla, -ae, f., marrow, bone marrow misere: misere, adv., wretchedly

96

97 98

99 100

103 104

105

106

107

108

109

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exagitans: exagito, exagitare, exagitavi, exagitatum, incite, disturb, excite immiti: immitis, -e, adj., harsh, rude, inexorable Golgos: Golgi, -orum, m., Golgi, a site on Cyprus, an island much associated with Venus Idalium: Idalium, Idalii, n., Idalium, a town on Cyprus also associated with Venus frondosum: frondosus-a-um, adj., rich in leaves iactastis=iactavistis: iacto, iactare, iactavi, iactatum, throw, toss flavo: flavus-a-um, adj., golden, yellow, blonde suspirantem: suspiro, suspirare, suspiravi, suspiratum, take a deep breath, heave a sigh languenti: languens, -entis, adj., faint, weak quanto: with magis (ablative of measure of difference) fulgore: fulgor, fulgoris, m., glitter, gleam, flash, brightness; ablative of comparison with magis expalluit: expallesco, expallescere, expallui, expallitum, turn pale munuscula: munusculum, -i, n., small present succepit=suscepit: suscipio, suscipere, suscepi, susceptum, take up, undertake, pledge labello: labellum, -i, n., lip velut: velut, adv., just as; here it introduces a simile. quatientem: quatio, quatere, quassi, quassum, shake Tauro: Taurus, Tauri, m., Taurus, a mountain range in southern Asia Minor quercum: quercus, -us, f., oak conigeram: coniger, conigera, conigerum, adj., cone-bearing sudanti: sudo, sudare, sudavi, sudatum, sweat, perspire cortice: cortex, corticis, m./f., bark pinum: pinus, -i, f., pine indomitus: indomitus-a-um, adj., wild turbo: turbo, turbinis, m., a whirlwind, tornado contorquens: contorqueo, contorquere, contorsi, contortum, twist, turn flamine: flamen, flaminis, n., gale, wind robur: robur, roboris, n., oak; here in the sense of “the tree trunk” eruit: eruo, eruere, erui, erutum, uproot radicitus: radicitus, adv., by the roots, utterly exturbata: exturbo, exturbare, exturbavi, exturbatum, force out, knock out prona: pronus-a-um, adj., leaning forward, headlong, downwards quaeviscumque: quiviscumque, quaeviscumque, quodviscumque, adj., any whatsoever; this indefinite adjective modifies the neuter substantive obvia. obvia: obvius-a-um, adj., in the way, so as to meet, meeting; here “whatever is in the way”

64 Lines 76–109 nam perhibent olim crudeli peste coactam Androgeoneae poenas exsolvere caedis electos iuvenes simul et decus innuptarum Cecropiam solitam esse dapem dare Minotauro. quis angusta malis cum moenia vexarentur, ipse suum Theseus pro caris corpus Athenis proicere optavit potius quam talia Cretam funera Cecropiae nec funera portarentur. atque ita nave levi nitens ac lenibus auris magnanimum ad Minoa venit sedesque superbas. hunc simul ac cupido conspexit lumine virgo regia, quam suavis expirans castus odores lectulus in molli complexu matris alebat, quales Eurotae progignunt flumina myrtos aurave distinctos educit verna colores, non prius ex illo flagrantia declinavit lumina, quam cuncto concepit corpore flammam funditus atque imis exarsit tota medullis. heu misere exagitans immiti corde furores sancte puer, curis hominum qui gaudia misces, quaeque regis Golgos quaeque Idalium frondosum, qualibus incensam iactastis mente puellam fluctibus in flavo saepe hospite suspirantem! quantos illa tulit languenti corde timores! quanto saepe magis fulgore expalluit auri, cum saevum cupiens contra contendere monstrum aut mortem appeteret Theseus aut praemia laudis! non ingrata tamen frustra munuscula divis promittens tacito succepit vota labello. nam velut in summo quatientem bracchia Tauro quercum aut conigeram sudanti cortice pinum indomitus turbo contorquens flamine robur, eruit (illa procul radicitus exturbata prona cadit, late quaevis cumque obvia frangens),

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80

85

90

95

100

105

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 110 domito: domo, domare, domui, domitum, tame, conquer, break, subdue 111 vanis: vanus-a-um, adj. safe, unhurt 112 sospes: sospes, sospitis, adj., safe, unhurt reflexit: reflecto, reflectere, reflexi, reflexum, turn back, turn about 113 errabunda: errabundus-a-um, adj., wandering regens: rego, regere, rexi, rectum, direct, guide, steer vestigia: vestigium, vestigii, n., footstep fi lo: fi lum, -i, n., thread, string 114 labyrintheis: labyrintheus-a-um, adj., labyrinthine, twisted, contorted flexibus: flexus, -us, m., winding 115 frustraretur: frustror, frustrari, frustratus sum, trick, deceive inobservabilis: inobservabilis, -e, adj., unnoticed, untraceable error: error, erroris, m., maze, wandering 116 ego=the poet carmine: carmen, -inis. n., song; here “storyline.” Lines 116–123 bring the reader back to Ariadne on the shore (line 70). 117 commemorem: commemoro, commemorare, commemoravi, commemoratum, relate, recall 119 misera, foreshadowing the future misery of Ariadne gnata=nata: nata, -ae, f., daughter deperdita: deperdo, deperdere, deperdidi, deperditum, ruin, destroy laetabatur: laetor, laetari, laetatus sum, rejoice, take delight; here “used to take delight” 120 praeoptarit=praeoptaverit: praeopto, praeoptare, praeoptavi, praeoptatum, prefer 121 ratis: ratis, -is, f., boat 122 devinctam: devincio, devincire, devinxi, devinctum, bind; as in line 64, the perfect participle here virtually takes lumina as its object, although lumina is best understood as an accusative of respect. 123 coniunx=Theseus 124 perhibent: perhibeo, perhibere, perhibui, perhibitum, assert, call 125 clarisonas: clarisonus-a-um, adj., clear sounding, loud and clear fudisse: fundo, fundere, fudi, fusum, pour, shed, utter 126 praeruptos: praeruptus-a-um, adj., sheer, steep tristem: tristis, -e, adj., sad, mournful conscendere: the poet changes tense from perfect (fudisse) to present, thus giving us a more immediate mental image of Ariadne; he will return to the perfect tense in line 130 (dixisse). 127 aciem: acies, -ei, f., gaze, sight aestus: aestus, -us, m., tide, surge of the sea 128 tremuli: tremulus-a-um, adj., rippling, trembling

129 mollia: mollis, -e, adj., fine, soft, gentle tegmina: tegmen, tegminis, n., covering surae: sura, -ae, f., calf (of the leg) 130 querellis: querella, -ae, f., lamentation, complaint 131 frigidulos: frigidulus-a-um, adj., chilly udo: udus-a-um, adj., wet singultus: singultus, -us, m., sob, gasp cientem: cieo, ciere, civi, citum, call forth, invoke 132 sicine: sicine, adv., thus?, so?, is this how? 133 perfide: note the anaphora. 135 devota: devotus-a-um, adj., accursed periuria: periurium, periurii, n., perjury, lie; here “lies.” 137 consilium: consilium, consilii, n., decision, plan praesto: praesto, adv., at hand, ready 138 immite: immitis, -e, adj., severe, inexorable nostri=poetic plural miserescere: miseresco, miserescere, feel pity for (with the genitive) 139 blanda: blandus-a-um, adj., smooth, charming 140 non haec: note the anaphora and the double antithesis with line 139. miserae: dative to agree with mihi instead of the expected accusative with iubebas 142 aerii: aerius-a-um, adj., loft y discerpunt: discerpo, discerpere, discerpsi, discerptum, disperse, tear apart irrita: irritus-a-um, adj., unsettled, invalid; here “null and void” 145 quis=quibus (dative of reference) praegestit: praegestio, praegestire, be very eager, desire apisci: apiscor, apisci, aptus sum, obtain, get 146 iurare: iuro, iurare, iuravi, iuratum, swear parcunt: parco, parcere, peperci, parsum, refrain from, spare 147 satiata: satio, satiare, satiavi, satiatum, satisfy, fill libido: libido, libidinis, f., desire, passion 148 metuere=metuerunt; the syncopated perfect form seems oddly placed so soon after metuunt and so close to curant; if the manuscript reading is correct, the perfect tense here denotes a lasting result and should be translated as if it was a present tense form. Some editors, however, print meminere here: “they remember not at all their words.” 150 potius: potius, adv., rather, more germanum: germanus, -i, m., brother (the Minotaur) crevi: cerno, cernere, crevi, cretum, decide 151 supremo in tempore: “in (your) time of greatest need” dessem=deessem: desum, deesse, defui, fail (with the dative case)

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64 Lines 110–151 sic domito saevum prostravit corpore Theseus nequiquam vanis iactantem cornua ventis. inde pedem sospes multa cum laude reflexit errabunda regens tenui vestigia filo, ne labyrintheis e flexibus egredientem tecti frustraretur inobservabilis error. sed quid ego a primo digressus carmine plura commemorem, ut linquens genitoris filia vultum, ut consanguineae complexum, ut denique matris, quae misera in gnata deperdita laeta, omnibus his Thesei dulcem praeoptarit amorem: aut ut vecta rati spumosa ad litora Diae, aut ut eam devinctam lumina somno liquerit immemori discedens pectore coniunx? saepe illam perhibent ardenti corde furentem clarisonas imo fudisse e pectore voces, ac tum praeruptos tristem conscendere montes, unde aciem pelagi vastos protenderet aestus, tum tremuli salis adversas procurrere in undas mollia nudatae tollentem tegmina surae, atque haec extremis maestam dixisse querellis, frigidulos udo singultus ore cientem: “sicine me patriis avectam, perfide, ab aris, perfide, deserto liquisti in litore, Theseu? sicine discedens neglecto numine divum, immemor a! devota domum periuria portas? nullane res potuit crudelis flectere mentis consilium? tibi nulla fuit clementia praesto, immite ut nostri vellet miserescere pectus? at non haec quondam blanda promissa dedisti voce mihi; non haec miserae sperare iubebas, sed conubia laeta, sed optatos hymenaeos, quae cuncta aerii discerpunt irrita venti. nunc iam nulla viro iuranti femina credat, nulla viri speret sermones esse fideles; quis dum aliquid cupiens animus praegestit apisci, nil metuunt iurare, nihil promittere parcunt: sed simul ac cupidae mentis satiata libido est, dicta nihil metuere, nihil periuria curant. certe ego te in medio versantem turbine leti eripui, et potius germanum amittere crevi, quam tibi fallaci supremo in tempore dessem. – 51 –

110

115

120

125

130

135

140

145

150

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 152 dilaceranda: dilacero, dilacerare, dilaceravi, dilaceratum, tear to pieces feris: ferus, -i, m., beast alitibusque: ales, alitis, f., bird 153 iniacta=iniecta: inicio, inicere, inieci, iniectum, throw on tumulabor: tumulo, tumulare, tumulavi, tumulatum, bury 154 quaenam: quinam-quaenam-quodnam, inter. pro./ adj., who then?, who in the world?, what? leaena: leaena, -ae, f., lioness 155 conceptum: concipio, concipere, concepi, conceptum, conceive exspuit: exspuo, exspuere, exspui, exsputum, spit out 156 Syrtis: Syrtis, -is, f., the Syrtis, a sandbank located on the Gulf of Sidra in North Africa, an exotic location dangerous and hostile to all ships Scylla: Scylla, -ae, f., Scylla, a monster found in the Straits of Messina, across from the location occupied by Charybdis Charybdis: Charybdis, -is, f., Charybdis, a monster in the Straits of Messina, often depicted as a whirlpool; note the tricolon in this line. 159 praecepta: praeceptum, -i, n., order, command 160 att amen: att amen, conj., even so, nevertheless 161 famularer: famulor, famulari, famulatus sum, serve; subjunctive in a relative clause of purpose 162 permulcens: permulceo, permulcere, permulsi, permulsum, rub, soothe liquidis: liquidus- a-um, adj., pure, clean vestigia: vestigium, vestigii, n., footprint; “foot” by metonymy lymphis: lympha, -ae, f., water 163 consternens: consterno, consternere, constravi, constratum, cover cubile: cubile, -is, n., bed, couch, resting place 164 conquerar: conqueror, conqueri, conquestus sum, complain, bewail auris: aura, -ae, f., wind, air, breeze 165 externata=exsternata: exsterno, exsternare, exsternavi, exsternatum, terrify greatly malo: malum, -i, n., evil, woe, misfortune auctae: augeo, augere, auxi, auctum, increase, enlarge, bless (endow) with 166 missas: mitto, mittere, misi, missum, send; here in the sense of “uttered” queunt: queo, quire, quivi, quitum, be able, can 167 ille=Theseus prope: prope, adv., near versatur: verso, versare, versavi, versatum, turn; here in the sense of “be situated.” Note the chiasmus in this line.

169 insultans: insulto, insultare, insultavi, insultatum, exult 170 fors: fors, fortis, f., chance, luck invidit: invideo, invidere, invidi, invisum, begrudge questibus: questus, -us, m., complaint, lament auris=aures: auris, -is, f., ear 172 Cnosia=Gnosia: Gnosius-a-um, adj., of or belonging to Knossos, Cretan Cecropiae: Cecropius-a-um, adj., Athenian (also line 79) tetigissent: tango, tangere, tetigi, tactum, touch, reach 173 indomito: indomitus-a-um, adj., wild, untamed stipendia: stipendium, stipendii, n., tribute tauro: taurus, -i, m., bull; here the Minotaur 174 religasset=religavisset: religo, religare, religavi, religatum, moor, tie up navita=nauta: nauta, -ae, m., sailor funem: funis, -is, m., rope 176 requiesset=requievisset: requiesco, requiescere, requievi, requietum, take rest, rest, find rest 177 perdita: perditus-a-um, adj., lost, desperate, hopeless, abandoned nitor: nitor, niti, nisus sum, depend on 178 Idaeos: Idaeus-a-um, adj., pertaining to the Ida mountain range on Crete 179 discernens: discerno, discernere, discrevi, discretum, separate truculentum: truculentus-a-um, adj., wild, grim 181 respersum: respergo, respergere, respersi, respersum, stain 182 consoler: consolor, consolari, consolatus sum, console, comfort, cheer memet=me 183 lentos: lentus-a-um, adj., tough, pliable incurvans: incurvo, incurvare, incurvavi, incurvatum, bend 184 colitur: colo, colere, colui, cultum, inhabit sola, here meaning “forsaken” 185 patet: pateo, patere, patui, be open, lie open, stand open egressus: egressus, -us, m., departure cingentibus: cingo, cingere, cinxi, cinctum, surround, enclose; cingentibus undis is an ablative absolute. 186 ratio: ratio, rationis, f. way, method, procedure, reason, cause 187 ostentant: ostento, ostentare, ostentavi, ostentatum, present to view, show, exhibit, hold out

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64 Lines 152–187 pro quo dilaceranda feris dabor alitibusque praeda, neque iniacta tumulabor mortua terra. quaenam te genuit sola sub rupe leaena? quod mare conceptum spumantibus exspuit undis, quae Syrtis, quae Scylla rapax, quae vasta Charybdis, talia qui reddis pro dulci praemia vita? si tibi non cordi fuerant conubia nostra, saeva quod horrebas prisci praecepta parentis, attamen in vestras potuisti ducere sedes, quae tibi iucundo famularer serva labore, candida permulcens liquidis vestigia lymphis, pupureave tuum consternens veste cubile. sed quid ego ignaris nequiquam conquerar auris, externata malo, quae nullis sensibus auctae nec missas audire queunt nec reddere voces? ille autem prope iam mediis versatur in undis, nec quisquam apparet vacua mortalis in alga. sic nimis insultans extremo tempore saeva fors etiam nostris invidit questibus auris. Iuppiter omnipotens, utinam ne tempore primo Cnosia Cecropiae tetigissent litora puppes, indomito nec dira ferens stipendia tauro perfidus in Creta religasset navita funem, nec malus hic celans dulci crudelia forma consilia in nostris requiesset sedibus hospes! nam quo me referam? quali spe perdita nitor? Idaeosne petam montes? at gurgite lato discernens ponti truculentum dividit aequor. an patris auxilium sperem? quemne ipsa reliqui, respersum iuvenem fraterna caede secuta? coniugis an fido consoler memet amore? quine fugit lentos incurvans gurgite remos? praeterea nullo colitur sola insula tecto, nec patet egressus pelagi cingentibus undis. nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: omnia muta, omnia sunt deserta, ostentant omnia letum.

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155

160

165

170

175

180

185

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 188 languescent: languesco, languescere, langui, weaken, grow faint 189 Note the example of tmesis in prius separated from quam in line 190. secedent: secedo, secedere, secessi, secessum, withdraw, retire 190 prodita: prodo, prodere, prodidi, proditum, give up, surrender, abandon, betray multam: multa, -ae, f., penalty 191 comprecer: comprecor, comprecari, comprecatus sum, implore, supplicate 192 multantes: multo, multare, multavi, multatum, punish vindice: vindex, vindicis, m./f., protector, deliverer, avenger; (here used adjectivally) “avenging” 193 Eumenides: Eumenides, Eumenidum, f., the Furies, the avenging goddesses with snakes in their hair quibus, dative of possession anguino: anguinus-a-um, adj., snaky redimita: redimio, redimire, redimii, redimitum, crown, encircle capillo: capillus, -i, m., hair 194 expirantis=exspirantes: exspiro, exspirare, exspiravi, exspiratum, breathe out, rush out praeportat: praeporto, praeportare, praeportavi, praeportatum, manifest, carry before 195 adventate: advento, adventare, adventavi, adventatum, come in haste, advance 196 medullis: medulla, -ae, f., marrow; here in the sense of “heart” 197 inops: inops, inopis, adj., without resources, helpless 198 quoniam: quoniam, conj., since now, whereas 199 pati: patior, pati, passus sum, allow, permit vanescere: vanesco, vanescere, vanescui, come to nothing, disappear, pass away 201 funestet: funesto, funestare, funestavi, funestatum, desecrate, stain with blood 203 anxia: anxius-a-um, adj., troubled 204 annuit=adnuit: adnuo, adnuere, adnui, adnutum, assent, promise rector: rector, rectoris, m., master; here Zeus/Jupiter 205 contremuerunt: contremo, contremere, contremui, tremble, quake 207 caligine: caligo, caliginis, f., mist, fog 208 consitus: consero, conserere, consevi, consitum, cover, plant, sow

209 mandata: mandatum, -i, n., command 210 sustollens: sustollo, sustollere, raise, lift up 211 Erectheum=Erec(h)theus-a-um, adj., Athenian, from the name Erechtheus, a legendary King of Athens 212 classi=classe moenia divae refers to the walls of Athens as divae means Athena. 213 gnatum=natum: natus-a-um, adj., born; here used substantively as “son” Aegeus: Aegeus, -i, m., Aegeus, father of Theseus, King of Athens 214 complexum: complector, complecti, complexus sum, embrace, clasp 215 unice: unicus-a-um, adj., one and only 217 nuper: nuper, adv., recently fi ne: here a feminine noun senectae: senecta, -ae, f., old age 218 quandoquidem: quandoquidem, conj., since indeed, seeing that, since fervida: fervidus-a-um, adj., fiery 219 languida: languidus-a-um, adj., feeble, faint 220 saturata: saturo, saturare, saturavi, saturatum, fill, satisfy 222 sinam: sino, sinere, sivi, situm, let, allow secundae: secundus-a-um, adj., favorable, good 223 expromam: expromo, expromere, exprompsi, expromptum, state, disclose, bring out querellas: querella, -ae, f., complaint 224 canitiem: canities, -ei, f., grey hair infuso: infundo, infundere, infudi, infusum, pour on foedans: foedo, foedare, foedavi, foedatum, befoul, mar, sully 225 infecta: inficio, inficere, infeci, infectum, dye, discolor vago: vagus-a-um, adj., wandering suspendam: suspendo, suspendere, suspendi, suspensum, hang lintea: linteum, -i, n., sail malo: malus, -i, m., mast 226 luctus: luctus, -us, m., mourning, lamentation 227 carbasus: carbasus, -i, f., sail obscurata: obscuro, obscurare, obscuravi, obscuratum, darken ferrugine: ferrugo, ferruginis, f., rust, dark color dicet: dico, -are, -avi, -atum, dedicate, consecrate Hibera: Hiberus-a-um, adj., Spanish

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64 Lines 188–227 non tamen ante mihi languescent lumina morte, nec prius a fesso secedent corpore sensus, quam iustam a divis exposcam prodita multam caelestumque fidem postrema comprecer hora. “quare facta virum multantes vindice poena, Eumenides, quibus anguino redimita capillo frons expirantis praeportat pectoris iras, huc huc adventate, meas audite querellas, quas ego, vae misera, extremis proferre medullis cogor inops, ardens, amenti caeca furore. quae quoniam verae nascuntur pectore ab imo, vos nolite pati nostrum vanescere luctum, sed quali solam Theseus me mente reliquit, tali mente, deae, funestet seque suosque.” has postquam maesto profudit pectore voces, supplicium saevis exposcens anxia factis, annuit invicto caelestum numine rector; quo motu tellus atque horrida contremuerunt aequora concussitque micantia sidera mundus. ipse autem caeca mentem caligine Theseus consitus oblito dimisit pectore cuncta, quae mandata prius constanti mente tenebat, dulcia nec maesto sustollens signa parenti sospitem Erectheum se ostendit visere portum. namque ferunt olim, classi cum moenia divae linquentem gnatum ventis concrederet Aegeus, talia complexum iuveni mandata dedisse: “gnate mihi longa iucundior unice vita, gnate, ego quem in dubios cogor dimittere casus, reddite in extrema nuper mihi fine senectae, quandoquidem fortuna mea ac tua fervida virtus eripit invito mihi te, cui languida nondum lumina sunt gnati cara saturata figura, non ego te gaudens laetanti pectore mittam, nec te ferre sinam fortunae signa secundae, sed primum multas expromam mente querellas, canitiem terra atque infuso pulvere foedans, inde infecta vago suspendam lintea malo, nostros ut luctus nostraeque incendia mentis carbasus obscurata dicet ferrugine Hibera.

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190

195

200

205

210

215

220

225

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 228 concesserit: concedo, concedere, concessi, concessum, allow, grant Itoni: Itonus, -i, m./f., Itonus, a town in Greece sacred to Athena, goddess of Athens incola Itoni=Athena 230 respergas: respergo, respergere, respersi, respersum, sprinkle, stain 231 facito: facio, facere, feci, factum, make, do (future imperative form) condita: condo, condere, condidi, conditum, preserve, store, write 232 vigeant: vigeo, vigere, vigui, thrive, live on mandata: mandatum, -i, n., command oblitteret: oblittero, oblitterare, oblitteravi, oblitteratum, erase aetas: aetas, aetatis, f., time 233 invisent: inviso, invisere, invisi, invisum, look upon, see collis: collis, -is, m., hill 234 funestam: funestus-a-um, adj., sorrowful antennae: antenna, -ae, f., the yardarm of a ship 235 intorti: intortus-a-um, adj., twisted sustollant: sustollo, sustollere, raise rudentes: rudens, rudentis, m., rope, (in the plural) rigging 236 quam primum: quam primum, adv., as soon as possible cernens: cerno, cernere, crevi, cretum, see 237 agnoscam: agnosco, agnoscere, agnovi, agnitum, know once more reducem: redux, reducis, adj., brought back, returned aetas=tempus here prospera: prosperus-a-um, adj., fortunate, favorable, successful sistet: sisto, sistere, stiti, statum, present, produce 239 ceu: ceu, adv., just as 240 aereum: aereus-a-um, adj., of copper or bronze; some read aerius-a-um here: loft y

241 242

243 244 245 246

247 249

250 251

252

253

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nivei: niveus-a-um, adj., snowy liquere=liquerunt: linquo, linquere, liqui, leave, quit cacumen: cacumen, cacuminis, n., summit prospectum: prospectus, -us, m., sight, view anxia: anxius-a-um, adj., troubled assiduos=adsiduos: adsiduus-a-um, adj., incessant absumens: absumo, absumere, absumpsi, absumptum, exhaust, consume fletus: fletus, -us, m., weeping, tears; note the alliteration and metonymy in this line. cum primum: cum primum, adv., as soon as veli: velum, -i, n., sail praecipitem: praeceps, praecipitis, adj., headfirst immiti: immitis, -e, adj., severe, inexorable funesta: funestus-a-um, adj., deadly, fatal, in mourning; take with tecta. paterna: paternus-a-um, adj., paternal; take with morte. Minoidi: Minois, Minoidis, f., daughter of Minos (Ariadne), a Greek dative here prospectans: prospecto, prospectare, prospectavi, prospectatum, look out, view carinam: carina, -ae, f., ship multiplices: multiplex, multiplicis, adj., manifold, various florens: florens, florentis, adj., blooming, shining, bright, youthful volitabat: volito, volitare, volitavi, volitatum, fly about, flutter, move quickly Iacchus: Iacchus, -i, m., Bacchus thiaso: thiasus, -i, m., a band of dancers Satyrorum: Satyrus, -i, m., a Satyr, a forest god associated with Bacchus and having goat’s feet Nysigenis: Nysigena, -ae, m., born on Mount Nysa (birthplace of Bacchus); here used adjectivally Silenis: Silenus, -i, m., Sileni, a class of wood-spirits associated with Bacchus tuo: take with amore as “love for you.”

64 Lines 228–253 quod tibi si sancti concesserit incola Itoni, quae nostrum genus ac sedes defendere Erecthei annuit, ut tauri respergas sanguine dextram, tum vero facito ut memori tibi condita corde haec vigeant mandata, nec ulla oblitteret aetas; ut simul ac nostros invisent lumina collis, funestam antennae deponant undique vestem, candidaque intorti sustollant vela rudentes, quam primum cernens ut laeta gaudia mente agnoscam, cum te reducem aetas prospera sistet.” haec mandata prius constanti mente tenentem Thesea ceu pulsae ventorum flamine nubes aereum nivei montis liquere cacumen. at pater, ut summa prospectum ex arce petebat, anxia in assiduos absumens lumina fletus, cum primum infecti conspexit lintea veli, praecipitem sese scopulorum e vertice iecit, amissum credens immiti Thesea fato. sic funesta domus ingressus tecta paterna morte ferox Theseus, qualem Minoidi luctum obtulerat mente immemori, talem ipse recepit. quae tum prospectans cedentem maesta carinam multiplices animo volvebat saucia curas. at parte ex alia florens volitabat Iacchus cum thiaso Satyrorum et Nysigenis Silenis, te quaerens, Ariadna, tuoque incensus amore.

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230

235

240

245

250

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8 9 10 11 12

13

assiduo: assiduus-a-um, adj., continually present, constant confectum: conficio, conficere, confeci, confectum, complete; the past participle here means “exhausted.” sevocat: sevoco, sevocare, sevocavi, sevocatum, separate, call away doctis…virginibus: referring to the Muses Hortale=Hortalus, Quintus Hortensius Hortalus (114–50 bc), who has apparently asked Catullus for his translation of Callimachus’ poem The Lock of Berenice (Poem 66) expromere: expromo, expromere, exprompsi, expromptum, show forth, display, bring forth fetus: fetus, fetus, m., offspring; fetus here represents poetry that Catullus can produce at this sad moment in his life, as he explains parenthetically in lines 4–14. mens animi: “the mind of my soul,” an archaic expression for “mind” fluctuat: fluctuo, flutuare, fluctuavi, fluctuatum, flow in waves, toss ipsa=mens Lethaeo gurgite refers to the Lethe, the river of forgetfulness in Hades, thus representing death. pallidulum: pallidulus-a-um, adj., rather dim, pale manans: mano, manare, manavi, manatum, flow alluit=adluit: adluo, adluere, adlui, flow near to, wash over Rhoeteo: Rhoeteus-a-um, adj., of the promontory of Rhoeteum, near Troy subter: subter, preposition (with ablative), below, underneath, close to Note the chiasmus, found in lines 5–7. obterit: obtero, obterere, obtrivi, obtritum, crush, trample This line is missing in manuscripts of the Catullan corpus. vita, ablative of comparison posthac: posthac, adv., in the future, hereafter tua, modifying morte; every subsequent poem in the Catullan corpus is in the elegiac distich, a meter which conveys sorrow (maesta. . .carmina) most effectively for Catullus. qualia: qualis, -e, adj., just as, just like (understand carmina) concinit: concino, concinere, concinui, sound, sing

14

Daulias: Daulias, Dauliadis, adj., of or pertaining to Daulis; here “the Daulian woman”; Daulis was a territory of central Greece ruled by Tereus, husband of Procne and father of her son Itys (here Itylus); Procne kills Itys to punish Tereus for his rape of her sister Philomela; Tereus pursues the sisters, whom the gods metamorphose; Procne becomes a nightingale and Philomela a swallow. This account follows Ovid’s version of the myth although there are earlier versions which reverse the roles of Procne and Philomela. 15 maeroribus: maeror, maeroris, m., sadness, mourning 16 expressa: exprimo, exprimere, expressi, expressum, translate Batt iadae: a reference to the Hellenistic poet Callimachus of Cyrene with whom Catullus has associated himself (compare Poems 7 line 6 and 116 line 2); Batt us was the legendary founder of Cyrene, and “Battiades” would mean “inhabitant of Cyrene.” 17 vagis: vagus-a-um, adj., wandering, rambling, fickle 18 putes: puto, putare, putavi, putatus, think; subjunctive in a negative clause of purpose animo, ablative of separation 19 ut: ut, conj., as (followed by the indicative mood), introduces a simile here. sponsi: sponsus, -i, m., lover, bridegroom furtivo: furtivus-a-um, adj., stolen, secret malum: malum, -i, n., apple 20 gremio: gremium, gremii, n., lap 21 quod=malum oblitae: oblitus-a-um, adj., forgetful 22 prosilit: prosilio, prosilire, prosilui, jump up excutitur: excutio, excutere, excussi, excussum, shake out 23 illud=malum decursu: decursus, -us, m., descent, fall; note the dominance of spondees in this line, which reflects the girl’s sad dismay at the fall of the apple: her secret is out. 24 conscius: conscius-a-um, adj., knowing, guilty rubor: rubor, ruboris, n., blush

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65 Addressed to Hortalus, the rival of Cicero, this poem serves as an introduction to Poem 66, the translation of Callimachus’ Lock of Berenice, which Hortalus had requested from Catullus. Catullus explains how the recent death of his brother has severely affected him, ultimately comparing his forgetfulness to the quick embarrassment of a girl who is startled by the sudden appearance of her mother and, as she stands up, an apple, sent to her by her lover, rolls from her lap onto the floor; she blushes as does Catullus. The meter is elegiac distich, the meter of the rest of the corpus, Poems 66–116.

Etsi me assiduo confectum cura dolore sevocat a doctis, Hortale, virginibus, nec potis est dulcis Musarum expromere fetus mens animi (tantis fluctuat ipsa malis: namque mei nuper Lethaeo gurgite fratris pallidulum manans alluit unda pedem, Troia Rhoeteo quem subter litore tellus ereptum nostris obterit ex oculis— -----------------------------------------------------------numquam ego te, vita frater amabilior, aspiciam posthac? at certe semper amabo, semper maesta tua carmina morte canam, qualia sub densis ramorum concinit umbris Daulias absumpti fata gemens Ityli): sed tamen in tantis maeroribus, Hortale, mitto haec expressa tibi carmina Battiadae, ne tua dicta vagis nequiquam credita ventis effluxisse meo forte putes animo, ut missum sponsi furtivo munere malum procurrit casto virginis e gremio, quod miserae oblitae molli sub veste locatum, dum adventu matris prosilit, excutitur; atque illud prono praeceps agitur decursu, huic manat tristi conscius ore rubor.

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5

10

15

20

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3 4 5 6

8

9 10 11

12

13

14 15

quod: “the fact that” fortuna casuque, an example of hendiadys oppressus: opprimo, opprimere, oppressi, oppressum, crush conscriptum: conscribo, conscribere, conscripsi, conscriptum, write epistolium: epistolium, epistolii, n., short letter (a diminutive form associated with epistula) naufragum: naufragus, -i, m., a shipwrecked man eiectum: eicio, eicere, eieci, eiectum, run aground sublevem: sublevo, sublevare, sublevavi, sublevatum, lift up requiescere: requiesco, requiescere, requievi, requietum, rest, repose desertum: desertus-a-um, adj., abandoned, left alone caelibe=caelibi: caelebs, caelibis, adj., unmarried, single perpetitur: perpetior, perpeti, perpessus sum, endure, permit, allow oblectant: oblecto, oblectare, oblectavi, oblectatum, delight, please pervigilat: pervigilo, pervigilare, pervigilavi, pervigilatum, stay awake all night quoniam: quoniam, conj., since; functions as a subordinate conjunction hinc: hinc, adv., from here; meaning “from Catullus” in this context incommode: incommodus-a-um, adj., troublesome, (substantively) troubles, misfortunes Manli=Manlius; whether this is also the Allius of 68b is contentious. odisse, literally denoting hate, but here, more appropriately, having the sense of “see no use in” or “have no use for” (Fordyce 345) or “have no concern for” or simply “dislike” hospitis: hospes, hospitis, m., guest, host officium: officium, officii, n., duty, obligation accipe: accipio, accipere, accepi, acceptum, receive, hear quis=quibus, modifies fluctibus merser: merso, mersare, mersavi, mersatum, dip, immerse, overwhelm amplius: amplius, adv., any longer petas, subjunctive in a negative clause of purpose pura: purus-a-um, adj., pure; here “white”; the pure white toga virilis was assumed at the age of 16 years and replaced the purple bordered toga praetexta; vestis is equivalent to toga here.

16

17

18 19 21

22

23

24 25

27

28 29

30

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aetas: aetas, aetatis, f., life florida: floridus-a-um, adj., blooming, beautiful; aetas florida means “flower of my youth.” ver: ver, veris, n., spring ageret: ago, agere, egi, actum, drive, do; here “pass” multa satis lusi: these words can mean either that the poet has conducted (lusi) enough (satis) numerous affairs (multa) or has had his fill (satis) of composing many poems (multa) in a light hearted way (lusi). dea=Venus nostri=mei amaritiem: amarities, -ei, f., bitterness studium: this refers to Catullus’ enthusiasm or pursuit. fregisti: frango, frangere, fregi, fractum, break commoda: commodum, -i, n., advantage; here “everything good” una: una, adv., together sepulta: sepelio, sepelire, sepelivi, sepultum, bury domus: domus, -us, f., house, home Note the numerous references in lines 19–23 to Catullus’ brother; these dramatically convey the pervasive depth of the poet’s personal suffering at the loss of his beloved frater. alebat: alo, alere, alui, altum, foster, support, nourish interitu: interitus, -us, m., fall, overthrow, destruction, death (ablative of cause) fugavi: fugo, fugare, fugavi, fugatum, cause to flee, drive off, put to flight quod: “the fact that” Veronae: Verona, -ae, f., the city of Verona where Catullus has a family home distinct from his personal residence in Rome; the locative case here means “at Verona.” turpe: turpis, -e, adj., base, bad, shameful quod: “because” nota: nota, notae, f., stamp, type, quality tepefactet: tepefacto, tepefactare, tepefactavi, tepefactatum, warm, make warm, be in the habit of warming; “must make warm,” but the text here is corrupt. cubili: cubile, -is, n., resting place, bed id: id sums up all that has gone before.

68 Lines 1–30 Many scholars feel that this poem is really two poems, 68a (lines 1–40) and 68b (lines 41–160); 68b is omitted from the AP* syllabus. It has been suggested that 68a should be seen as an introduction to 68b. However, lines 1–40 do form a coherent structural whole, and can stand legitimately by themselves as a single, self-contained poem. Lines 1–14 function as an introduction; lines 15–26 relate Catullus’ reaction to his brother’s death as a basis for lines 27–40, which constitute a formal apology to Manlius for Catullus’ failure to deliver promised or awaited poems. As was the case in Poem 65, the death of his brother has had a terrible effect on the poet. The meter is elegiac distich.

Quod mihi fortuna casuque oppressus acerbo conscriptum hoc lacrimis mittis epistolium, naufragum ut eiectum spumantibus aequoris undis sublevem et a mortis limine restituam, quem neque sancta Venus molli requiescere somno desertum in lecto caelibe perpetitur, nec veterum dulci scriptorum carmine Musae oblectant, cum mens anxia pervigilat; id gratum est mihi, me quoniam tibi dicis amicum, muneraque 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 nostri, quae dulcem curis miscet amaritiem; sed totum hoc studium luctu fraterna mihi mors abstulit. 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 fugavi haec studia atque omnes delicias animi. quare, quod scribes Veronae turpe Catullo esse, quod hic quisquis de meliore nota frigida deserto tepefactet membra cubili, id, Manli, non est turpe, magis miserum est.

5

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15

20

25

30

*AP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 31

ignosces: ignosco, ignoscere, ignovi, ignotum, pardon ademit: adimo, adimere, ademi, ademptum, remove, take away 32 nequeo: nequeo, nequire, nequivi, nequitum, be unable 33 scriptorum: scriptum, -i, n., writing, book 34 hoc fit: Catullus offers a reason for his lack of books in Verona. 35 carpitur: carpo, carpere, carpsi, carptum, pick, pluck, enjoy, snatch; here in the sense of “is past” or “is spent” 36 huc: huc means “here in Verona”. capsula: capsula, -ae, f., small cylindrical box for carrying a scroll 37 quod cum ita sit: here in the sense of “since this is the way it is”

nolim, volitive subjunctive introducing a substantive clause (statuas) with ut understood statuas: statuo, statuere, statui, statutum, determine, conclude, judge 38 ingenuo: ingenuus-a-um, adj., open, noble, generous 39 utriusque: uterque-utraque-utrumque, adj., each, both; referring perhaps to Manlius’ desire for both the poems authored by Catullus and the translations he has made of earlier Greek poets posta est=posita est: pono, ponere, posui, positum, make, serve, lay down 40 ultro: ultro, adv., willingly deferrem: defero, deferre, detuli, delatum, offer, confer siqua=si qua

1

6

2

3

4

5

admirari: admiror, admirari, admiratus sum, wonder, be surprised at supposuisse=supponere: suppono, supponere, supposui, suppositum, put under femur: femur, femoris, n., thigh rarae: rarus-a-um, adj., scarce, rare, uncommon labefactes: labefacto, labefactare, labefactavi, labefactatum, weaken perluciduli: perlucidulus-a-um, adj., transparent deliciis: deliciae, -arum, f., delight, charm; here in the sense of “luxuries” laedit: laedo, laedere, laesi, laesum, hurt fabula: fabula, -ae, f., story, rumor

7 8

9 10

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alarum: ala, alae, f., wing, arm, arm-pit trux: trux, trucis, adj., savage, wild caper: caper, capri, m., goat valde: valde, adv., very, intensely quicum=quacum, referring to bestia cubet: cubo, cubare, cubui, cubitum, recline, lie down; here “would recline” interfice: interficio, interficere, interfeci, interfectum, kill, destroy fugiunt, present indicative active form instead of the present subjunctive active form which the indirect question would demand; this is done to add vividness to the poet’s final comment.

68 Lines 31–40 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 maligna id facere aut animo non satis ingenuo, quod tibi non utriusque petenti copia posta est: ultro ego deferrem, copia siqua foret.

35

40

69 According to this poem, which marks the beginning of the short elegiac poems that will make up the rest of the Catullan corpus, Rufus, probably Caelius Rufus, lover of Lesbia and client of the Roman orator Marcus Tullius Cicero, suffers from severe body odor. Catullus suggests that this problem is the reason why women wish to avoid him. The meter is elegiac distich.

Noli admirari, quare tibi femina nulla, Rufe, velit tenerum supposuisse femur, non si illam rarae labefactes munere vestis aut perluciduli deliciis lapidis. laedit te quaedam mala fabula, qua tibi fertur valle sub alarum trux habitare caper. hunc metuunt omnes, neque mirum: nam mala valde est bestia, nec quicum bella puella cubet. quare aut crudelem nasorum interfice pestem, aut admirari desine cur fugiunt.

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

1 2 3

4

5

nubere: nubo, nubere, nupsi, nuptum, marry, be wedded (with dative) malle: malo, malle, malui, prefer quam: quam, adv., than

nosse = novisse = (cog)novisse prae (prep. + acc.): before dilexi: diligo, diligere, dilexi, dilectum, love, esteem highly tantum: tantum, adv., merely, only ut: ut, adv., as vulgus: vulgus, -i, n., common crowd, masses amicam: amica, -ae, f., lover, ladyfriend, mistress gnatos = natos: nascor, nasci, natus sum, be born; here “children,” “sons” generos: gener, generi, m., a son-in-law quare: quare, adv., wherefore

3

4

6 7

8

– 64 –

cupido: cupidus-a-um, adj., desiring amanti: amans, amantis, adj., loving; here an appositive, “lover” oportet: oportet, oportere, oportuit, it is necessary

etsi: etsi, conj., even if, although impensius: impensus-a-um, adj., vehement, great, strong uror: uro, urere, ussi, ustum, burn vilior: vilis-vile, adj., vile, cheap levior: levis-leve, adj., light, slight, trivial qui, in the sense of “how” potis: potis-pote, adj., able, capable inquis: inquam, inquis, inquit, inquiunt, (defective verb) say bene velle: bene volo, bene velle, bene volui, respect, wish well

70 Catullus expresses frustration over the difference between what Lesbia says and what she does. This poem recalls similar sentiments expressed by the Greek poet Callimachus in his Epigram 25. Note that each poem henceforward is composed in the elegiac meter, which is regularly formed by one dactylic hexameter line and one dactylic pentameter line.

Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere malle quam mihi, non si se Iuppiter ipse petat. dicit: sed mulier cupido quod dicit amanti, in vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.

72 This poem gives a specific example of the complaint voiced in Poem 70. The deepening levels of alienation within Catullus’ relationship with Lesbia are unfolded as his anger is more vigorously demonstrated.

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 talis cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

– 65 –

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2 3

4

9

10

11

12 14

siqua = si qua: the qua modifies voluptas recordanti: recordor, recordari, recordatus sum, recall benefacta: benefactum, -i, n., good deed; this recalls the theme of Poem 73. voluptas: voluptas, voluptatis, f., pleasure homini: dative of possession violasse = violavisse: violo, violare, violavi, violatum, harm, injure, violate foedere: foedus, foederis, n., pact, agreement abusum: abutor, abuti, abusus sum, use, abuse (with ablative) fallendos: fallo, fallere, fefelli, falsum, deceive, trick The line recalls Poem 73. Here omnia is the subject of the verb perierunt; sunt is understood with credita. perierunt: pereo, perire, perii, peritum, perish, die amplius: amplius, adv., any further excrucies: excrucio, excruciare, excruciavi, excruciatum, torture, torment quin: (an interrogative particle) why not? offi rmas: offi rmo, offi rmare, offi rmavi, offi rmatum, be determined, steel oneself istinc: istinc, adv., from there, from where you are dis = deis invitis: invitus-a-um, adj., unwilling, opposed verum: verum, adv., in fact, truly lubet = libet: it pleases

15

salus: salus, salutis, f., safety pervincendum: pervinco, pervincere, pervici, pervictum, defeat completely, surpass 17 misereri: misereo, miserere, miserui, miseritum, feel sorry for; the verb, as in this instance, is also found in deponent form. quibus = aliquibus 18 tulistis: fero, ferre, tuli, latum, bring, carry opem: ops, opis, f., help, aid 19 aspicite: aspicio, aspicere, aspexi, aspectum, look at, notice puriter: puriter, adv., cleanly, chastely, purely 20 pestem: pestis, -is, f., disease, plague perniciemque: pernicies, perniciei, f., ruin, destruction mihi, dative of separation 21 subrepens: subrepo, subrepere, subrepsi, subreptum, creep up to, steal upon ut: ut, adv., as torpor: torpor, torporis, m., numbness, grogginess 24 pudica: pudicus-a-um, adj., chaste, pure 25 valere: valeo, valere, valui, be strong, be healthy taetrum: taeter-taetra-taetrum, adj., foul morbum: morbus, -i, m., sickness, disease 26 The logic of this final plea recalls the thinking behind the opening lines of Poem 73.

– 66 –

76 This dramatic and poignant soliloquy shows the emotional struggle which Catullus undergoes as he tries to steel himself against continued association with Lesbia. The extreme urgency for a full break elevates this moment to one of life or death for the poet. There are many connections between Poems 76 and 73.

Siqua recordanti benefacta priora voluptas est homini, cum se cogitat esse pium, nec sanctam violasse fidem, nec foedere nullo divum 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 possunt aut facere, haec a te dictaque factaque sunt. omnia quae ingratae perierunt credita menti. quare iam te cur amplius excrucies? quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reducis, et dis invitis desinis esse miser? difficile est longum subito deponere amorem, difficile est, verum hoc qua lubet 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 umquam extremam iam ipsa in morte tulistis opem, me miserum aspicite et, si vitam puriter egi, eripite hanc pestem perniciemque mihi, quae mihi subrepens imos ut torpor in artus expulit ex omni pectore laetitias. non iam illud quaero, contra me ut 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.

– 67 –

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1 2 3

1 2 3 5

6 7

Rufe: Caelius Rufus of Cicero’s Pro Caelio mihi, dative of agent with credite Note the contrast between lines 1 and 2. sicine: sic and -ne; sic, adv., thus; -ne showing a question: “is this the way?” subrepsti: syncopated form of subrepsisti from subrepo, subrepere, subrepsi, subreptum, creep up to, steal upon

Chommoda: commodum, -i, n., opportunity, advantage insidias: insidiae, -arum, f. (plural), traps, ambush mirifice: mirifice, adv., wonderfully liber. liber-libera-liberum, adj., freeborn; implying servile lineage elsewhere in the family on the father’s side avunculus: avunculus, -i, m., maternal uncle avus: avus, -i, m., grandfather avia: avia, -ae, f., grandmother requierant = requieverant: requiesco, requiescere, requievi, requietum, rest, repose

4 5

8

9 11

– 68 –

intestina: intestinus-a-um, adj., internal, personal; used substantively the word means “in ner organs.” perurens: peruro, perurere, perussi, perustum, burn up Note the anaphora throughout this line and the poem in general. venenum: venenum, -i, n., poison

audibant = audiebant leniter: leniter, adv., softly leviter: leviter, adv., lightly postilla: postilla, adv., afterwards metuebant: metuo, metuere, metui, fear Ionios: Ionius-a-um, adj., Ionian, relating to the western coast of Greece illuc: illuc, adv., there, to that place isset: eo, ire, ii/ivi, itum, go, come

77 This poem was probably addressed to Caelius Rufus, Clodia’s new lover. The hostile sentiments which it expresses were likely occasioned when Caelius replaced Catullus in Lesbia’s (Clodia’s) affection.

Rufe mihi frustra ac nequiquam credite amice (frustra? immo magno cum pretio atque malo), sicine subrepsti mi, atque intestina perurens ei misero eripuisti omnia nostra bona? eripuisti, heu heu nostrae crudele venenum vitae, heu heu nostrae pestis amicitiae.

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84 This humorous poem plays on the speech affectations of a certain Arrius, who insists on inserting the sound “h” in words that are not supposed to be aspirated. Catullus suggests that Arrius in fact has no speech problem, but instead is affecting an accent in a desperate attempt to sound sophisticated. He has not, however, succeeded in hiding his rather humble origins. Arrius may be Quintus Arrius, orator and friend of Crassus who went east in 55 bc. The poem is a surprising contrast to its neighbors, which deal so dramatically with the changing emotional landscape of Catullus’ and Lesbia’s affair.

Chommoda dicebat, si quando commoda vellet dicere, et insidias Arrius hinsidias, et tum mirifice sperabat se esse locutum, cum quantum poterat dixerat hinsidias. credo, sic mater, sic liber avunculus eius, sic maternus avus dixerat atque avia. hoc misso in Syriam requierant omnibus aures: audibant eadem haec leniter et leviter, nec sibi postilla metuebant talia verba, cum subito affertur nuntius horribilis, Ionios fluctus, postquam illuc Arrius isset, iam non Ionios esse sed Hionios.

– 69 –

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

1

2

1/2 2 3 4

odi: odi, odisse, osus, (defective verb) hate quare: quare, adv., for what reason, why fortasse: fortasse, adv., perhaps

2

Quintia: proper name of an otherwise unknown Roman lady formosa: formosus-a-um, adj., shapely, beautiful candida: candidus-a-um, adj., white, bright, fair, dazzling, gleaming longa: longus-a-um, adj., tall recta: rectus-a-um, adj., straight, well built singula: singuli-ae-a, adj., one at a time, individually, one by one confiteor: confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum, confess, admit

requiris: requiro, requirere, requisivi, requisitum, seek, ask, ask for excrucior: excrucio, excruciare, excruciavi, excruciatum, torment greatly, torture

3 4

venustas: venustas, venustatis, f., beauty, charm mica: mica, micae, f., crumb, morsel, grain salis: sal, salis, m., salt, elegance, spice, wit 5/6 cum ... tum: “not only ... but also” 6 surripuit: surripio, surripere, surripui, surreptum, snatch secretly from, pilfer from. The elisions at the beginning of this line are iconic in that they present an audio-visual picture of many becoming one, essentially the sense which the poet attempts to convey here.

tantum ... quantum: as much ... as vere: vere, adv., truly foedere: foedus, foederis, n., pact, agreement, bond amore tuo: in (my) love of/for you; the possessive adjective tuo is better translated here as if it were a personal pronoun in the genitive or dative case.

– 70 –

parte: pars, partis, f., part, share reperta: reperio, reperire, repperi, repertum, find, discover, get, procure, realize

85 The themes of Poems 70, 72, 75, and 76 are compressed into this famous epigram. The extreme emotional torture which the poet is enduring is iconically represented by the elisions which create a balanced tonal contrast throughout. The opening question of line 1 is abruptly answered by the emotional declaration of line 2.

Odi et amo. quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.

86 The beauty and uniqueness of Lesbia emerge in this poem’s curt dismissal of any attempt to compare her with an apparently attractive woman such as Quintia.

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 surripuit Veneres.

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87 This poem, another assertion by the poet of his fidelity to Lesbia, verbally echoes Poems 70 and 76. Nulla in line 1 recalls nulli of Poem 70, line 1; mulier in line 1 recalls mulier of Poem 70, lines 1 and 3. Foedere in line 3 recalls foedere of Poem 76, line 3.

Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatam vere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea est. nulla fides ullo fuit umquam foedere tanta, quanta in amore tuo ex parte reperta mea est.

– 71 –

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1 2

3

1 2

3

4 5

1

2

mutis: mutus-a-um, adj., mute, non-speaking sepulcris: sepulcrum, -i, n., tomb accidere: accido, accidere, accidi, fall, happen, befall, develop Calve: the same Calvus addressed in Poem 50 desiderio: desiderium, -i, n., longing renovamus: renovo, renovare, renovavi, renovatum, renew, reawaken, revive

vectus: veho, vehere, vexi, vectum, carry, transport advenio: the use of the present tense adds poignancy and immediacy to this line, although imperfect subjunctives follow in secondary sequence. inferias: inferiae, -arum, f. (plural), rites or sacrifices in honor of the dead postremo: postremus-a-um, adj., final, last donarem: dono, donare, donavi, donatum, present, grant, bestow nequiquam: nequiquam, adv., pointlessly, in vain cinerem: cinis, cineris, m./f., cinder, ash quandoquidem: quandoquidem, conj., in as much as mihi, dative of separation

iucundum: iucundus-a-um, adj., pleasant proponis: propono, proponere, proposui, propositum, promise fore = futurum esse

4

flemus: fleo, flere, flevi, fletum, cry, weep over, mourn for 5/6 The contrast rests upon dolori and amore. Simply expressed, the sorrow created by this untimely death is more than outweighed by the love which has characterized the relationship between Quintilia and Calvus.

6

7

8 9

4 5

tete: intensive form of te abstulit: aufero, auferre, abstuli, ablatum, snatch away, steal, rob indigne: indigne, adv., undeservedly adempte: adimo, adimere, ademi, ademptum, withdraw, take away prisco: priscus-a-um, adj., ancient, pristine, beginning more: mos, moris, m., practice, custom parentum: parens, parentis, m./f., parent tradita: trado, tradere, tradidi, traditum, hand down manantia: mano, manare, manavi, be wet, be soaked fletu: fletus, -us, m., crying, tears

sincere: sincere, adv., honestly, sincerely tota ... vita: a rare ablative expressing duration of time

Fresco of A. Paquius Proculus and his wife, from Pompeii, first century ad. Line drawing by Malachy Egan – 72 –

96 This is a touching composition in which Catullus tries to console his friend Calvus over the unexpected death of Calvus’ wife, Quintilia.

Si quicquam mutis gratum acceptumve sepulcris accidere a nostro, Calve, dolore potest, quo desiderio veteres renovamus amores atque olim missas flemus amicitias, certe non tanto mors immatura dolori est Quintiliae, quantum gaudet amore tuo.

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101 Perhaps while in Bithynia in 57 bc, Catullus visited the site of his brother’s tomb. This poem, one of Catullus’ most famous, is tenderly written and conveys the depth of the poet’s feelings for his deceased brother.

Multas per gentes et multa per aequora vectus advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias, ut te postremo donarem munere mortis et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem. quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum, heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi, nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias, accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu, atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

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109 The sadness of this poem recalls the tone of Poems 70 and 72. Here Catullus is apparently reflecting upon just how short of expectation his relationship with Lesbia has turned out.

Iucundum, mea vita, mihi proponis amorem hunc nostrum inter nos perpetuumque fore. di magni, facite ut vere promittere possit, atque id sincere dicat et ex animo, ut liceat nobis tota perducere vita aeternum hoc sanctae foedus amicitiae. – 73 –

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NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

4

venante: venor, venari, venatus sum, hunt requirens: requiro, requirere, requisivi, requisitum, search for, seek uti=ut, conj., how Batt iadae: see Poem 65 line 16; carmina… Batt iadae=poems of Callimachus qui=quibus, by which lenirem: lenio, lenire, lenivi, lenitum, appease, soothe; lenirem is subjunctive in a relative clause of purpose. nobis=mihi; here in the sense of “towards me” neu=neve, adv., nor, and not conarere=conareris: conor, conari, conatus sum, try, attempt; conarere is a syncopated imperfect subjunctive in a negative result clause; this line is entirely composed of spondees. tela: telum, -i, n., shaft, barb, sword infesta: infestus-a-um, adj., unsafe, hostile; note how mittere contrasts with mittere in line 2. in usque caput: “all the way to my head”

5 6

7

8

– 74 –

mihi, dative of agent with sumptum esse; “was undertaken by me” nostras=meas hic=in hac re, in this matter valuisse: valeo, valere, valui, valitum, prevail nos=me evitabimus=evitabo acta: ago, agere, egi, actum, put forth; here “launched” fi xus: figo, figere, fi xi, fictum, strike, pierce nostris, understand telis; nostris=meis, a reference to Catullus’ earlier poems, particularly 91, which attack Gellius dabis supplicium: in the sense of “pay the penalty”; the final “i” in dabis must be short to fit the meter.

116 This final poem in the corpus is addressed to Lucius Gellius Poplicola, a noted rival of Catullus for Lesbia’s affections. Associated with Clodius, the brother of Lesbia (Clodia), once prosecuted by Cicero, Gellius appears in several of Catullus’ earlier poems (74, 80, 88, 89, 90, and 91). He is presented as a very sordid character. Here Catullus references past attempts at reconciliation, but resolves in the end to remain effectively at war with him. The meter is elegiac distich.

Saepe tibi studioso animo venante requirens carmina uti possem mittere Battiadae, qui te lenirem nobis, neu conarere tela infesta meum mittere in usque caput, hunc video mihi nunc frustra sumptum esse laborem, Gelli, nec nostras hic valuisse preces. contra nos tela ista tua evitabimus acta: at fixus nostris tu dabis supplicium.

– 75 –

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TEXT ONLY OF THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT POEMS

1 Cui dono lepidum novum libellum arida modo pumice expolitum? Corneli, tibi: namque tu solebas meas esse aliquid putare nugas iam tum, cum ausus es unus Italorum omne aevum tribus explicare cartis doctis, Iuppiter, et laboriosis. quare habe tibi quidquid hoc libelli qualecumque; quod, patrona virgo, plus uno maneat perenne saeclo.

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2 Passer, deliciae meae puellae, quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere, cui primum digitum dare appetenti et acris solet incitare morsus, cum desiderio meo nitenti carum nescio quid lubet iocari, et solaciolum sui doloris, credo, ut tum gravis acquiescat ardor: tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem et tristis animi levare curas!

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2B tam gratum est mihi quam ferunt puellae pernici aureolum fuisse malum, quod zonam soluit diu ligatam.

3 Lugete, O Veneres Cupidinesque, et quantum est hominum venustiorum: passer mortuus est meae puellae, passer, deliciae meae puellae, quem plus illa oculis suis amabat. nam mellitus erat suamque norat ipsam tam bene quam puella matrem, nec sese a gremio illius movebat, sed circumsiliens modo huc modo illuc ad solam dominam usque pipiabat; qui nunc it per iter tenebricosum illud, unde negant redire quemquam. at vobis male sit, malae tenebrae Orci, quae omnia bella devoratis: tam bellum mihi passerem abstulistis. O factum male! O miselle passer! tua nunc opera meae puellae flendo turgiduli rubent ocelli.

– 78 –

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4 Phaselus ille, quem videtis, hospites, ait fuisse navium celerrimus, neque ullius natantis impetum trabis nequisse praeterire, sive palmulis opus foret volare sive linteo. et hoc negat minacis Hadriatici negare litus insulasve Cycladas Rhodumque nobilem horridamque Thraciam Propontida trucemve Ponticum sinum, ubi iste post phaselus antea fuit comata silva; nam Cytorio in iugo loquente saepe sibilum edidit coma. Amastri Pontica et Cytore buxifer, tibi haec fuisse et esse cognitissima ait phaselus: ultima ex origine tuo stetisse dicit in cacumine, tuo imbuisse palmulas in aequore, et inde tot per impotentia freta erum tulisse, laeva sive dextera vocaret aura, sive utrumque luppiter simul secundus incidisset in pedem; neque ulla vota litoralibus deis sibi esse facta, cum veniret a mari novissimo hunc ad usque limpidum lacum. sed haec prius fuere: nunc recondita senet quiete seque dedicat tibi, gemelle Castor et gemelle Castoris.

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5 Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus, rumoresque senum severiorum omnes unius aestimemus assis! soles occidere et redire possunt: nobis cum semel occidit brevis lux, nox est perpetua una dormienda. da mi basia mille, deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum, deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum. dein, cum milia multa fecerimus, conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus, aut ne quis malus invidere possit, cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.

– 79 –

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7 Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque. quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum; aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox, furtivos hominum vident amores: tam te basia multa basiare vesano satis et super Catullo est, quae nec pernumerare curiosi possint nec mala fascinare lingua.

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8 Miser Catulle, desinas ineptire, et quod vides perisse perditum ducas. fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles, cum ventitabas quo puella ducebat amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla. ibi illa multa cum iocosa fiebant, quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat, fulsere vere candidi tibi soles. nunc iam illa non volt: tu quoque inpote<ns noli>, nec quae fugit sectare, nec miser vive, sed obstinata mente perfer, obdura. vale, puella. iam Catullus obdurat, nec te requiret nec rogabit invitam. at tu dolebis, cum rogaberis nulla. scelesta, vae te! quae tibi manet vita? quis nunc te adibit? cui videberis bella? quem nunc amabis? cuius esse diceris? quem basiabis? cui labella mordebis? at tu, Catulle, destinatus obdura.

– 80 –

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10 Varus me meus ad suos amores visum duxerat e foro otiosum, scortillum, ut mihi tum repente visum est, non sane illepidum neque invenustum. huc ut venimus, incidere nobis sermones varii, in quibus, quid esset iam Bithynia, quo modo se haberet, et quonam mihi profuisset aere. respondi id quod erat, nihil neque ipsis nec praetoribus esse nec cohorti, cur quisquam caput unctius referret, praesertim quibus esset irrumator praetor, nec faceret pili cohortem. ‘at certe tamen,’ inquiunt ‘quod illic natum dicitur esse, comparasti ad lecticam homines.’ ego, ut puellae unum me facerem beatiorem, ‘non’ inquam ‘mihi tam fuit maligne, ut, provincia quod mala incidisset, non possem octo homines parare rectos.’ at mi nullus erat nec hic neque illic, fractum qui veteris pedem grabati in collo sibi collocare posset. hic illa, ut decuit cinaediorem, ‘quaeso,’ inquit ‘mihi, mi Catulle, paulum istos commoda: nam volo ad Serapim deferri.’ ‘mane,’ inquii puellae, ‘istud quod modo dixeram me habere, fugit me ratio: meus sodalis— Cinna est Gaius,—is sibi paravit. verum, utrum illius an mei, quid ad me? utor tam bene quam mihi pararim. sed tu insulsa male et molesta vivis, per quam non licet esse neglegentem.’

– 81 –

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11 Furi et Aureli, comites Catulli, sive in extremos penetrabit Indos, litus ut longe resonante Eoa tunditur unda, sive in Hyrcanos Arabasve molles, seu Sagas sagittiferosve Parthos, sive quae septemgeminus colorat aequora Nilus, sive trans altas gradietur Alpes, Caesaris visens monimenta magni, Gallicum Rhenum, horribile aequor ultimosque Britannos, omnia haec, quaecumque feret voluntas caelitum, temptare simul parati, pauca nuntiate meae puellae non bona dicta. cum suis vivat valeatque moechis, quos simul complexa tenet trecentos, nullum amans vere, sed identidem omnium ilia rumpens; nec meum respectet, ut ante, amorem, qui illius culpa cecidit velut prati ultimi flos, praetereunte postquam tactus aratro est.

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12 Marrucine Asini, manu sinistra non belle uteris: in ioco atque vino tollis lintea neglegentiorum. hoc salsum esse putas? fugit te, inepte: quamvis sordida res et invenusta est. non credis mihi? crede Pollioni fratri, qui tua furta vel talento mutari velit: est enim leporum differtus puer ac facetiarum. quare aut hendecasyllabos trecentos exspecta, aut mihi linteum remitte, quod me non movet aestimatione, verum est mnemosynum mei sodalis. nam sudaria Saetaba ex Hiberis miserunt mihi muneri Fabullus et Veranius: haec amem necesse est ut Veraniolum meum et Fabullum.

– 82 –

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13 Cenabis bene, mi Fabulle, apud me paucis, si tibi di favent, diebus, si tecum attuleris bonam atque magnam cenam, non sine candida puella et vino et sale et omnibus cachinnis. haec si, inquam, attuleris, venuste noster, cenabis bene; nam tui Catulli plenus sacculus est aranearum. sed contra accipies meros amores seu quid suavius elegantiusve est: nam unguentum dabo, quod meae puellae donarunt Veneres Cupidinesque, quod tu cum olfacies, deos rogabis, totum ut te faciant, Fabulle, nasum.

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14A Ni te plus oculis meis amarem, iucundissime Calve, munere isto odissem te odio Vatiniano: nam quid feci ego quidve sum locutus, cur me tot male perderes poetis? isti di mala multa dent clienti, qui tantum tibi misit impiorum. quod si, ut suspicor, hoc novum ac repertum munus dat tibi Sulla litterator, non est mi male, sed bene ac beate, quod non dispereunt tui labores. di magni, horribilem et sacrum libellum, quem tu scilicet ad tuum Catullum misti, continuo ut die periret Saturnalibus, optimo dierum! non non hoc tibi, salse, sic abibit: nam, si luxerit, ad librariorum curram scrinia, Caesios, Aquinos, Suffenum, omnia colligam venena, ac te his suppliciis remunerabor. vos hinc interea valete abite illuc, unde malum pedem attulistis, saecli incommoda, pessimi poetae.

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22 Suffenus iste, Vare, quem probe nosti, homo est venustus et dicax et urbanus, idemque longe plurimos facit versus. puto esse ego illi milia aut decem aut plura perscripta, nec sic ut fit in palimpseston relata: cartae regiae, novi libri, novi umbilici, lora rubra membranae, derecta plumbo et pumice omnia aequata. haec cum legas tu, bellus ille et urbanus Suffenus unus caprimulgus aut fossor rursus videtur: tantum abhorret ac mutat. hoc quid putemus esse? qui modo scurra aut si quid hac re scitius videbatur, idem infaceto est infacetior rure, simul poemata attigit, neque idem umquam aeque est beatus ac poema cum scribit: tam gaudet in se tamque se ipse miratur. nimirum idem omnes fallimur, neque est quisquam quem non in aliqua re videre Suffenum possis. suus cuique attributus est error; sed non videmus manticae quod in tergo est.

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30 Alfene immemor atque unanimis false sodalibus, iam te nil miseret, dure, tui dulcis amiculi? iam me prodere, iam non dubitas fallere, perfide? nec facta impia fallacum hominum caelicolis placent. quae tu neglegis, ac me miserum deseris in malis; eheu quid faciant, dic, homines cuive habeant fidem? certe tute iubebas animam tradere, inique, <me> inducens in amorem, quasi tuta omnia mi forent. idem nunc retrahis te ac tua dicta omnia factaque ventos irrita ferre ac nebulas aereas sinis. si tu oblitus es, at di meminerunt, meminit Fides, quae te ut paeniteat postmodo facti faciet tui.

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31 Paene insularum, Sirmio, insularumque ocelle, quascumque in liquentibus stagnis marique vasto fert uterque Neptunus, quam te libenter quamque laetus inviso, vix mi ipse credens Thuniam atque Bithunos liquisse campos et videre te in tuto. O quid solutis est beatius curis, cum mens onus reponit, ac peregrino labore fessi venimus larem ad nostrum, desideratoque acquiescimus lecto? hoc est quod unum est pro laboribus tantis. salve, O venusta Sirmio, atque ero gaude gaudente, vosque, O Lydiae lacus undae, ridete quidquid est domi cachinnorum. – 84 –

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35 Poetae tenero, meo sodali, velim Caecilio, papyre, dicas Veronam veniat, Novi relinquens Comi moenia Lariumque litus. nam quasdam volo cogitationes amici accipiat sui meique. quare, si sapiet, viam vorabit, quamvis candida milies puella euntem revocet, manusque collo ambas iniciens roget morari. quae nunc, si mihi vera nuntiantur, illum deperit impotente amore. nam quo tempore legit incohatam Dindymi dominam, ex eo misellae ignes interiorem edunt medullam. ignosco tibi, Sapphica puella musa doctior; est enim venuste Magna Caecilio incohata Mater.

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36 Annales Volusi, cacata carta, votum solvite pro mea puella. nam sanctae Veneri Cupidinique vovit, si sibi restitutus essem desissemque truces vibrare iambos, electissima pessimi poetae scripta tardipedi deo daturam infelicibus ustulanda lignis. et hoc pessima se puella vidit iocose lepide vovere divis. nunc o caeruleo creata ponto, quae sanctum Idalium Uriosque apertos quaeque Ancona Cnidumque harundinosam colis quaeque Amathunta quaeque Golgos quaeque Durrachium Hadriae tabernam, acceptum face redditumque votum, si non illepidum neque invenustum est. at vos interea venite in ignem, pleni ruris et inficetiarum annales Volusi, cacata carta.

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40 Quaenam te mala mens, miselle Ravide, agit praecipitem in meos iambos? quis deus tibi non bene advocatus vecordem parat excitare rixam? an ut pervenias in ora vulgi? quid vis? qualubet esse notus optas? eris, quandoquidem meos amores cum longa voluisti amare poena. – 85 –

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43 Salve, nec minimo puella naso nec bello pede nec nigris ocellis nec longis digitis nec ore sicco nec sane nimis elegante lingua, decoctoris amica Formiani. ten provincia narrat esse bellam? tecum Lesbia nostra comparatur? O saeclum insapiens et infacetum!

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44 O funde noster seu Sabine seu Tiburs (nam te esse Tiburtem autumant, quibus non est cordi Catullum laedere; at quibus cordi est, quovis Sabinum pignore esse contendunt), sed seu Sabine sive verius Tiburs, fui libenter in tua suburbana villa, malamque pectore expuli tussim, non immerenti quam mihi meus venter, dum sumptuosas appeto, dedit, cenas. nam, Sestianus dum volo esse conviva, orationem in Antium petitorem plenam veneni et pestilentiae legi. hic me gravedo frigida et frequens tussis quassavit usque, dum in tuum sinum fugi, et me recuravi otioque et urtica. quare refectus maximas tibi grates ago, meum quod non es ulta peccatum. nec deprecor iam, si nefaria scripta Sesti recepso, quin gravedinem et tussim non mi, sed ipsi Sestio ferat frigus, qui tunc vocat me, cum malum librum legi.

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45 Acmen Septimius suos amores tenens in gremio ‘mea’ inquit ‘Acme, ni te perdite amo atque amare porro omnes sum assidue paratus annos, quantum qui pote plurimum perire, solus in Libya Indiaque tosta caesio veniam obvius leoni.’ hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante dextra sternuit approbationem. at Acme leviter caput reflectens et dulcis pueri ebrios ocellos illo purpureo ore suaviata, ‘sic,’ inquit ‘mea vita Septimille, huic uni domino usque serviamus, ut multo mihi maior acriorque ignis mollibus ardet in medullis.’ hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante dextra sternuit approbationem. nunc ab auspicio bono profecti mutuis animis amant amantur. unam Septimius misellus Acmen mavult quam Syrias Britanniasque: uno in Septimio fidelis Acme facit delicias libidinesque. quis ullos homines beatiores vidit, quis Venerem auspicatiorem?

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46 Iam ver egelidos refert tepores, iam caeli furor aequinoctialis iucundis Zephyri silescit aureis. linquantur Phrygii, Catulle, campi Nicaeaeque ager uber aestuosae: ad claras Asiae volemus urbes. iam mens praetrepidans avet vagari, iam laeti studio pedes vigescunt. O dulces comitum valete coetus, longe quos simul a domo profectos diversae varie viae reportant.

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49 Disertissime Romuli nepotum, quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli, quotque post aliis erunt in annis, gratias tibi maximas Catullus agit pessimus omnium poeta, tanto pessimus omnium poeta, quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

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50 Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi multum lusimus in meis tabellis, ut convenerat esse delicatos: scribens versiculos uterque nostrum ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc, reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum. atque illinc abii tuo lepore incensus, Licini, facetiisque, ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos, sed toto indomitus furore lecto versarer, cupiens videre lucem, ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem. at defessa labore membra postquam semimortua lectulo iacebant, hoc, iucunde, tibi poema feci, ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem. nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras, oramus, cave despuas, ocelle, ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te. est vemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.

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51 Ille mi par esse deo videtur, ille, si fas est, superare divos, qui sedens adversus identidem te spectat et audit dulce ridentem, misero quod omnis eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te, Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi ************* lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus flamma demanat, sonitu suopte tintinant aures, gemina teguntur lumina nocte. otium, Catulle, tibi molestum est: otio exsultas nimiumque gestis: otium et reges prius et beatas perdidit urbes.

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60 Num te leaena montibus Libystinis aut Scylla latrans infima inguinum parte tam mente dura procreavit ac taetra, ut supplicis vocem in novissimo casu contemptam haberes, a nimis fero corde?

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64 Haec vestis priscis hominum variata figuris heroum mira virtutes indicat arte. namque fluentisono prospectans litore Diae, Thesea cedentem celeri cum classe tuetur indomitos in corde gerens Ariadna furores, necdum etiam sese quae visit visere credit, utpote fallaci quae tum primum excita somno desertam in sola miseram se cernat harena. immemor at iuvenis fugiens pellit vada remis, irrita ventosae linquens promissa procellae. Quem procul ex alga maestis Minois ocellis, saxea ut effigies bacchantis prospicit, eheu, prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis, non flavo retinens subtilem vertice mitram, non contecta levi velatum pectus amictu, non tereti strophio lactentis vincta papillas, omnia quae toto delapsa e corpore passim ipsius ante pedes fluctus salis adludebant. sed neque tum mitrae neque tum fluitantis amictus illa vicem curans toto ex te pectore, Theseu, toto animo, tota pendebat perdita mente. a misera, assiduis quam luctibus externavit spinosas Erycina serens in pectore curas, illa tempestate, ferox quo tempore Theseus egressus curvis e litoribus Piraei attigit iniusti regis Gortynia templa. Nam perhibent olim crudeli peste coactam Androgeoneae poenas exsolvere caedis electos iuvenes simul et decus innuptarum Cecropiam solitam esse dapem dare Minotauro. quis angusta malis cum moenia vexarentur, ipse suum Theseus pro caris corpus Athenis proicere optavit potius quam talia Cretam funera Cecropiae nec funera portarentur. atque ita nave levi nitens ac lenibus auris magnanimum ad Minoa venit sedesque superbas. hunc simul ac cupido conspexit lumine virgo regia, quam suavis expirans castus odores lectulus in molli complexu matris alebat, quales Eurotae progignunt flumina myrtos aurave distinctos educit verna colores, non prius ex illo flagrantia declinavit lumina, quam cuncto concepit corpore flammam funditus atque imis exarsit tota medullis. heu misere exagitans immiti corde furores sancte puer, curis hominum qui gaudia misces, quaeque regis Golgos quaeque Idalium frondosum, qualibus incensam iactastis mente puellam fluctibus in flavo saepe hospite suspirantem! quantos illa tulit languenti corde timores! quanto saepe magis fulgore expalluit auri, cum saevum cupiens contra contendere monstrum – 89 –

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aut mortem appeteret Theseus aut praemia laudis! non ingrata tamen frustra munuscula divis promittens tacito succepit vota labello. nam velut in summo quatientem bracchia Tauro quercum aut conigeram sudanti cortice pinum indomitus turbo contorquens flamine robur, eruit (illa procul radicitus exturbata prona cadit, late quaevis cumque obvia frangens), sic domito saevum prostravit corpore Theseus nequiquam vanis iactantem cornua ventis. inde pedem sospes multa cum laude reflexit errabunda regens tenui vestigia filo, ne labyrintheis e flexibus egredientem tecti frustraretur inobservabilis error. Sed quid ego a primo digressus carmine plura commemorem, ut linquens genitoris filia vultum, ut consanguineae complexum, ut denique matris, quae misera in gnata deperdita laeta, omnibus his Thesei dulcem praeoptarit amorem: aut ut vecta rati spumosa ad litora Diae, aut ut eam devinctam lumina somno liquerit immemori discedens pectore coniunx? saepe illam perhibent ardenti corde furentem clarisonas imo fudisse e pectore voces, ac tum praeruptos tristem conscendere montes, unde aciem pelagi vastos protenderet aestus, tum tremuli salis adversas procurrere in undas mollia nudatae tollentem tegmina surae, atque haec extremis maestam dixisse querellis, frigidulos udo singultus ore cientem: “Sicine me patriis avectam, perfide, ab aris, perfide, deserto liquisti in litore, Theseu? sicine discedens neglecto numine divum, immemor a! devota domum periuria portas? nullane res potuit crudelis flectere mentis consilium? tibi nulla fuit clementia praesto, immite ut nostri vellet miserescere pectus? at non haec quondam blanda promissa dedisti voce mihi; non haec miserae sperare iubebas, sed conubia laeta, sed optatos hymenaeos, quae cuncta aerii discerpunt irrita venti. nunc iam nulla viro iuranti femina credat, nulla viri speret sermones esse fideles; quis dum aliquid cupiens animus praegestit apisci, nil metuunt iurare, nihil promittere parcunt: sed simul ac cupidae mentis satiata libido est, dicta nihil metuere, nihil periuria curant. certe ego te in medio versantem turbine leti eripui, et potius germanum amittere crevi, quam tibi fallaci supremo in tempore dessem. pro quo dilaceranda feris dabor alitibusque praeda, neque iniacta tumulabor mortua terra. quaenam te genuit sola sub rupe leaena? – 90 –

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quod mare conceptum spumantibus exspuit undis, quae Syrtis, quae Scylla rapax, quae vasta Charybdis, talia qui reddis pro dulci praemia vita? si tibi non cordi fuerant conubia nostra, saeva quod horrebas prisci praecepta parentis, attamen in vestras potuisti ducere sedes, quae tibi iucundo famularer serva labore, candida permulcens liquidis vestigia lymphis, pupureave tuum consternens veste cubile. Sed quid ego ignaris nequiquam conquerar auris, externata malo, quae nullis sensibus auctae nec missas audire queunt nec reddere voces? ille autem prope iam mediis versatur in undis, nec quisquam apparet vacua mortalis in alga. sic nimis insultans extremo tempore saeva fors etiam nostris invidit questibus auris. Iuppiter omnipotens, utinam ne tempore primo Cnosia Cecropiae tetigissent litora puppes, indomito nec dira ferens stipendia tauro perfidus in Creta religasset navita funem, nec malus hic celans dulci crudelia forma consilia in nostris requiesset sedibus hospes! nam quo me referam? Quali spe perdita nitor? Idaeosne petam montes? At gurgite lato discernens ponti truculentum dividit aequor. an patris auxilium sperem? Quemne ipsa reliqui, respersum iuvenem fraterna caede secuta? coniugis an fido consoler memet amore? quine fugit lentos incurvans gurgite remos? praeterea nullo colitur sola insula tecto, nec patet egressus pelagi cingentibus undis. nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: omnia muta, omnia sunt deserta, ostentant omnia letum. non tamen ante mihi languescent lumina morte, nec prius a fesso secedent corpore sensus, quam iustam a divis exposcam prodita multam caelestumque fidem postrema comprecer hora. “Quare facta virum multantes vindice poena, Eumenides, quibus anguino redimita capillo frons expirantis praeportat pectoris iras, huc huc adventate, meas audite querellas, quas ego, vae misera, extremis proferre medullis cogor inops, ardens, amenti caeca furore. quae quoniam verae nascuntur pectore ab imo, vos nolite pati nostrum vanescere luctum, sed quali solam Theseus me mente reliquit, tali mente, deae, funestet seque suosque.” Has postquam maesto profudit pectore voces, supplicium saevis exposcens anxia factis, annuit invicto caelestum numine rector; quo motu tellus atque horrida contremuerunt aequora concussitque micantia sidera mundus. ipse autem caeca mentem caligine Theseus – 91 –

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consitus oblito dimisit pectore cuncta, quae mandata prius constanti mente tenebat, dulcia nec maesto sustollens signa parenti sospitem Erectheum se ostendit visere portum. Namque ferunt olim, classi cum moenia divae linquentem gnatum ventis concrederet Aegeus, talia complexum iuveni mandata dedisse: “Gnate mihi longa iucundior unice vita, gnate, ego quem in dubios cogor dimittere casus, reddite in extrema nuper mihi fine senectae, quandoquidem fortuna mea ac tua fervida virtus eripit invito mihi te, cui languida nondum lumina sunt gnati cara saturata figura, non ego te gaudens laetanti pectore mittam, nec te ferre sinam fortunae signa secundae, sed primum multas expromam mente querellas, canitiem terra atque infuso pulvere foedans, inde infecta vago suspendam lintea malo, nostros ut luctus nostraeque incendia mentis carbasus obscurata dicet ferrugine Hibera. quod tibi si sancti concesserit incola Itoni, quae nostrum genus ac sedes defendere Erecthei annuit, ut tauri respergas sanguine dextram, tum vero facito ut memori tibi condita corde haec vigeant mandata, nec ulla oblitteret aetas; ut simul ac nostros invisent lumina collis, funestam antennae deponant undique vestem, candidaque intorti sustollant vela rudentes, quam primum cernens ut laeta gaudia mente agnoscam, cum te reducem aetas prospera sistet.” Haec mandata prius constanti mente tenentem Thesea ceu pulsae ventorum flamine nubes aereum nivei montis liquere cacumen. at pater, ut summa prospectum ex arce petebat, anxia in assiduos absumens lumina fletus, cum primum infecti conspexit lintea veli, praecipitem sese scopulorum e vertice iecit, amissum credens immiti Thesea fato. sic funesta domus ingressus tecta paterna morte ferox Theseus, qualem Minoidi luctum obtulerat mente immemori, talem ipse recepit. quae tum prospectans cedentem maesta carinam multiplices animo volvebat saucia curas. At parte ex alia florens volitabat Iacchus cum thiaso Satyrorum et Nysigenis Silenis, te quaerens, Ariadna, tuoque incensus amore.

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65 Etsi me assiduo confectum cura dolore sevocat a doctis, Hortale, virginibus, nec potis est dulcis Musarum expromere fetus mens animi (tantis fluctuat ipsa malis: namque mei nuper Lethaeo gurgite fratris pallidulum manans alluit unda pedem, Troia Rhoeteo quem subter litore tellus ereptum nostris obterit ex oculis— -----------------------------------------------------------numquam ego te, vita frater amabilior, aspiciam posthac? at certe semper amabo, semper maesta tua carmina morte canam, qualia sub densis ramorum concinit umbris Daulias absumpti fata gemens Ityli): sed tamen in tantis maeroribus, Hortale, mitto haec expressa tibi carmina Battiadae, ne tua dicta vagis nequiquam credita ventis effluxisse meo forte putes animo, ut missum sponsi furtivo munere malum procurrit casto virginis e gremio, quod miserae oblitae molli sub veste locatum, dum adventu matris prosilit, excutitur; atque illud prono praeceps agitur decursu, huic manat tristi conscius ore rubor.

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68 Quod mihi fortuna casuque oppressus acerbo conscriptum hoc lacrimis mittis epistolium, naufragum ut eiectum spumantibus aequoris undis sublevem et a mortis limine restituam, quem neque sancta Venus molli requiescere somno desertum in lecto caelibe perpetitur, nec veterum dulci scriptorum carmine Musae oblectant, cum mens anxia pervigilat; id gratum est mihi, me quoniam tibi dicis amicum, muneraque 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 nostri, quae dulcem curis miscet amaritiem; sed totum hoc studium luctu fraterna mihi mors abstulit. 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 fugavi haec studia atque omnes delicias animi. quare, quod scribes Veronae turpe Catullo esse, quod hic quisquis de meliore nota frigida 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 maligna id facere aut animo non satis ingenuo, quod tibi non utriusque petenti copia posta est: ultro ego deferrem, copia siqua foret.

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69 Noli admirari, quare tibi femina nulla, Rufe, velit tenerum supposuisse femur, non si illam rarae labefactes munere vestis aut perluciduli deliciis lapidis. laedit te quaedam mala fabula, qua tibi fertur valle sub alarum trux habitare caper. hunc metuunt omnes, neque mirum: nam mala valde est bestia, nec quicum bella puella cubet. quare aut crudelem nasorum interfice pestem, aut admirari desine cur fugiunt.

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70 Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere malle quam mihi, non si se Iuppiter ipse petat. dicit: sed mulier cupido quod dicit amanti, in vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.

72 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 talis cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

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76 Siqua recordanti benefacta priora voluptas est homini, cum se cogitat esse pium, nec sanctam violasse fidem, nec foedere nullo divum 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 possunt aut facere, haec a te dictaque factaque sunt. omnia quae ingratae perierunt credita menti. quare iam te cur amplius excrucies? quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reducis, et dis invitis desinis esse miser? difficile est longum subito deponere amorem, difficile est, verum hoc qua lubet 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 umquam extremam iam ipsa in morte tulistis opem, me miserum aspicite et, si vitam puriter egi, eripite hanc pestem perniciemque mihi, quae mihi subrepens imos ut torpor in artus expulit ex omni pectore laetitias. non iam illud quaero, contra me ut 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.

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77 Rufe mihi frustra ac nequiquam credite amice (frustra? immo magno cum pretio atque malo), sicine subrepsti mi, atque intestina perurens ei misero eripuisti omnia nostra bona? eripuisti, heu heu nostrae crudele venenum vitae, heu heu nostrae pestis amicitiae.

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84 Chommoda dicebat, si quando commoda vellet dicere, et insidias Arrius hinsidias, et tum mirifice sperabat se esse locutum, cum quantum poterat dixerat hinsidias. credo, sic mater, sic liber avunculus eius, sic maternus avus dixerat atque avia. hoc misso in Syriam requierant omnibus aures: audibant eadem haec leniter et leviter, nec sibi postilla metuebant talia verba, cum subito affertur nuntius horribilis, Ionios fluctus, postquam illuc Arrius isset, iam non Ionios esse sed Hionios.

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85 Odi et amo. quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.

86 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 surripuit Veneres.

5

87 Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatam vere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea est. nulla fides ullo fuit umquam foedere tanta, quanta in amore tuo ex parte reperta mea est.

96 Si quicquam mutis gratum acceptumve sepulcris accidere a nostro, Calve, dolore potest, quo desiderio veteres renovamus amores atque olim missas flemus amicitias, certe non tanto mors immatura dolori est Quintiliae, quantum gaudet amore tuo.

5

101 Multas per gentes et multa per aequora vectus advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias, ut te postremo donarem munere mortis et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem. quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum, heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi, nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias, accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu, atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

5

10

109 Iucundum, mea vita, mihi proponis amorem hunc nostrum inter nos perpetuumque fore. di magni, facite ut vere promittere possit, atque id sincere dicat et ex animo, ut liceat nobis tota perducere vita aeternum hoc sanctae foedus amicitiae.

– 97 –

5

116 Saepe tibi studioso animo venante requirens carmina uti possem mittere Battiadae, qui te lenirem nobis, neu conarere tela infesta meum mittere in usque caput, hunc video mihi nunc frustra sumptum esse laborem, Gelli, nec nostras hic valuisse preces. contra nos tela ista tua evitabimus acta: at fixus nostris tu dabis supplicium.

– 98 –

5

APPENDIX I: ADDITIONAL POEMS WITH NOTES AND VOCABULARY

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 2 4

5 6

1

2

4

antistans: antisto, antistare, antistiti, (with the dative case) surpass, excel unanimos: unanimus-a-um, adj., of one mind, loving anum: anus, anus, f., old woman (an adjective here) nuntii beati: nominative case in exclamation visam: viso, visere, visi, visum, see, behold incolumem: incolumis-incolume, adj., unharmed, uninjured

8

9

minister: minister, ministri, m., servant, attendant vetuli: vetulus-a-um, adj., old Falerni: Falernus-a-um, adj., Falernian, from a region in northern Campania noted for its wine inger: ingero, ingerere, ingessi, ingestum, pour into; this form is an irregular singular imperative. calices: calix, calicis, m., cup, pot amariores: amarus-a-um, adj., bitter ebrioso: ebriosus-a-um, adj., drunken acino: acinus, -i, m., grape; the two elisions here and the polyptoton of ebrioso and ebriosioris are iconic in that they sound out the picture of excessive indulgence.

5 6

7

– 100 –

Hiberum = Hiberorum: Hiber, Hiberis, m., an Iberian or Spaniard; Hiberi, -orum, m., the Iberians or Spaniards; Hiberus-a-um, adj., Iberian, Spanish applicansque: applico, applicare, applicavi, applicatum, hold, embrace collum: collum, -i, n., neck iucundum: iucundus-a-um, adj., pleasing, pleasant suaviabor: suavior, suaviari, suaviatus sum, kiss

lubet = libet, libere, libuit/libitum est, it pleases lymphae: lympha, -ae, f., water pernicies: pernicies, -ei, f., ruin severos: severus-a-um, adj., harsh, conservative; used substantively to mean perhaps “partypoopers” migrate: migro, migrare, migravi, migratum, depart merus: merus-a-um, adj., pure, unmixed, i.e., not mixed with water Thyonianus: Thyonianus, -i, m., son of Thyone, i.e., Bacchus

9 Friendship is one of the main values in the life and writings of Catullus. Veranius is addressed in later poems also and seems to have been a very intimate friend of Catullus. The counterpositioning of exuberance expressed in this poem with depression expressed in Poem 8 may be deliberate. The contrast in the tone of the two poems could not be more pronounced. The poem is written in the hendecasyllabic meter.

Verani, omnibus e meis amicis antistans mihi milibus trecentis, venistine domum ad tuos penates fratresque unanimos anumque matrem? venisti. O mihi nuntii beati! visam te incolumem audiamque Hiberum narrantem loca, facta, nationes, ut mos est tuus, applicansque collum iucundum os oculosque suaviabor. O quantum est hominum beatiorum, quid me laetius est beatiusve?

5

10

27 This is a drinking song in hendecasyllabic meter.

Minister vetuli puer Falerni, inger mi calices amariores, ut lex Postumiae iubet magistrae ebrioso acino ebriosioris. at vos quo lubet hinc abite, lymphae, vini pernicies, et ad severos migrate. hic merus est Thyonianus.

– 101 –

5

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 2 5 6 7

8 9 11 12

13

14

integri: integer, integra, integrum, adj., chaste Latonia: daughter of Latona (Leto), i.e., Diana (Artemis) progenies: progenies, progeniei, f., offspring Deliam: Delius-a-um, adj., relating to Delos, the island where Apollo and Artemis were born to Leto, who had been impregnated by Zeus olivam: oliva, -ae, f., olive; the tree allegedly witnessed the birth of Apollo and Artemis. fores = esses saltuumque: saltus, saltus, m., forest reconditorum: reconditus-a-um, adj., hidden amniumque: amnis, amnis, m./f., river sonantum = sonantium: sono, sonare, sonui, sonitum, sound Lucina is the goddess of childbirth. The word is an epithet which associates the childbirth function of Diana (Artemis) with Juno. dolentibus: doleo, dolere, dolui, dolitum, grieve puerperis: puerpera, -ae, f., a woman in childbirth; dative of agent with the perfect participle passive, dicta

15

Trivia = Diana: the word is a conflation of tres and viae, “three roads,” and denotes the intersections where small shrines were frequently dedicated to Hecate, Diana’s alter ego, associating her with the underworld. notho: nothus-a-um, adj., not genuine, false, phoney, “pale” 16 Luna: Diana’s name when she is associated with the moon 17 menstruo: menstruus-a-um, adj., monthly 18 metiens: metior, metiri, mensus sum, measure, travel 19 rustica: rusticus-a-um, adj., rural, rustic 20 frugibus: frux, frugis, f., fruit, produce exples: expleo, explere, explevi, expletum, fill 23 antique: antique, adv., in ancient times solita es: soleo, solere, solitus sum, be accustomed 24 sospites: sospito, sospitare, sospitavi, sospitatum, preserve, protect ope: ops, opis, f., power, help

– 102 –

34 This formulaic hymn to Diana features six quatrains, performed by a chorus of boys and girls. Perhaps an imitation of a Greek prototype, the poem uses a meter in which the first three lines of each quatrain are glyconics and last line is a pherecratean.

Dianae sumus in fide puellae et pueri integri: puellaeque canamus. O Latonia, maximi magna progenies Iovis, quam mater prope Deliam deposivit olivam,

5

montium domina ut fores silvarumque virentium saltuumque reconditorum amniumque sonantum:

10

tu Lucina dolentibus Iuno dicta puerperis, tu potens Trivia et notho es dicta lumine Luna.

15

tu cursu, dea, menstruo metiens iter annuum, rustica agricolae bonis tecta frugibus exples.

20

sis quocumque tibi placet sancta nomine, Romulique, antique ut solita es, bona sospites ope gentem.

– 103 –

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

1

2

3 4 5 6 7

8

risi: rideo, ridere, risi, risum, laugh nescio: nescio, nescire, nescivi, nescitum, not to know, be ignorant of; with the indefinite pronoun quem: someone (or other) modo: modo, adv., just, now, only recently corona: corona, -ae, f., a circle of bystanders at a trial mirifice: mirifice, adv., wonderfully, exceedingly

Vesper: Vesper, Vesperis, m., evening-star consurgite: consurgo, consurgere, consurrexi, consurrectum, rise, stand up vix: vix, adv., scarcely, just now tandem: tandem, adv., finally lumina: lumen, luminis, n., eye, light tollit: tollo, tollere, sustuli, sublatum, raise, lift pinguis: pinguis-pingue, adj., rich, lavish, splendid linquere: linquo, linquere, liqui, leave, depart hymenaeus: hymenaeus, -i, m., wedding song Hymen: Hymen, Hymenis, m., god of marriage innuptae: innupta, -ae, f., unmarried girl, maiden contra: contra, adv., on the other side nimirum: nimirum, adv., no doubt, certainly, of course Oetaeos: Oetaeus-a-um, adj., Oetean, Herculean; of or belonging to the Oetean mountain range between Thessaly and Aetolia, where Hercules ascended the funeral pyre Noctifer: noctifer, noctiferi, m., night-star certest = certum est viden = videsne: this singular form should be translated as if it is plural. perniciter: perniciter, adv., nimbly, swiftly, quickly exsiluere: exsilio, exsilire, exsilui, spring out, bound forth

3 5

9

11 12

13 14 15

16 17

18

– 104 –

Vatiniana: Vatinianus-a-um, adj., of or belonging to a certain Vatinius, whose name became associated with disrepute after prosecutions by Cicero and Calvus Calvos = Calvus: prosecutor of Vatinius salaputium: salaputium, -ii, n., midget disertum: disertus-a-um, adj., eloquent, clever in speaking

non temere: non temere, adv., not lightly, not easily, not rashly canent: cano, canere, cecini, cantum, sing par est: (an idiom) it is proper aequales: aequalis, -is, m., comrade, friend palma: palma, -ae, f., palm of victory meditata: meditor, meditari, meditatus sum, think over, reflect upon, practice requirunt: requiro, requirere, requisivi, requisitum, look for, search for, hunt for, demand; the sense seems to be “they seek out the things that have been studied.” memorabile: memorabilis-memorabile, adj., capable of being learned or memorized, remarkable mirum: mirus-a-um, adj., surprising, amazing penitus: penitus, adv., internally, deep within alio ... alio: now here and now there divisimus: divido, dividere, divisi, divisum, divide, force apart aures: auris, -is, f., ear iure: ius, iuris, n., law, right; iure means “rightfully.” saltem: saltem, adv., at least, in any event convertite: converto, convertere, converti, conversum, turn back incipient: incipio, incipere, incepi, inceptum, begin decebit: decet, decere, decuit, it is fitting, proper, appropriate

53 This anecdote in hendecasyllabic meter compliments the eloquence of Catullus’ friend Licinius Calvus, who was noted for his prosecution of Vatinius. It is impossible to determine from the text whether Calvus’ speech of 58 or 54 bc is referenced. The clever wit of Catullus animates the poem.

Risi nescio quem modo e corona, qui, cum mirifice Vatiniana meus crimina Calvos explicasset, admirans ait haec manusque tollens, ‘di magni, salaputium disertum!’

5

62 Lines 1–19 This marriage poem, an epithalamium, is based in part upon earlier Hellenistic models. These wedding poems, written by Greek poets between the fourth and first centuries bc, were usually tied to a specific mythological wedding. This poem offers a generalized re-enactment of the song contest between a group of girls and boys, who, while at an idealized wedding feast in the house of the bride’s father, are now awaiting the arrival of the bride. The meter is dactylic hexameter.

Vesper adest, iuvenes, consurgite: Vesper Olympo exspectata diu vix tandem lumina tollit. surgere iam tempus, iam pinguis linquere mensas, iam veniet virgo, iam dicetur hymenaeus. Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee!

5

Cernitis, innuptae, iuvenes? consurgite contra; nimirum Oetaeos ostendit Noctifer ignes. sic certest; viden ut perniciter exsiluere? non temere exsiluere, canent quod vincere par est. Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee!

10

Non facilis nobis, aequales, palma parata est; aspicite, innuptae secum ut meditata requirunt. non frustra meditantur: habent memorabile quod sit; nec mirum, penitus quae tota mente laborant. nos alio mentes, alio divisimus aures; iure igitur vincemur: amat victoria curam. quare nunc animos saltem convertite vestros; dicere iam incipient, iam respondere decebit. Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee! – 105 –

15

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 20

21

23 24 26

27

28 29 30

33

34

Hespere = Vespere; Hesperus is the Greek name for the evening star. caelo: ablative of place where, with the preposition unexpressed natam: nata, -ae, f., daughter complexu: complexus, -us, m., embrace avellere: avello, avellere, avulsi, avulsum, tear away, remove, separate by violence ardenti: ardens, ardentis, adj., passionate castam: castus-a-um, adj., pure, chaste capta: ablative modifying urbe lucet: luceo, lucere, luxi, shine, shed light iucundior: iucundus-a-um, adj., pleasant, agreeable, delightful, pleasing desponsa: despondeo, despondere, despondi, desponsum, promise to give, pledge, betroth fi rmes: fi rmo, fi rmare, fi rmavi, fi rmatum, confirm, strengthen conubia: conubium, -ii, n., marriage pepigere = pepigerunt: pango, pangere, pepigi, pactum, promise in marriage iunxere = iunxerunt ardor: ardor, ardoris, m., zeal, eagerness felici ... hora, ablative of comparison optatius: optatus-a-um, adj., desirable, chosen, wished for adventu: adventus, -us, m., arrival vigilat: vigilo, vigilare, vigilavi, vigilatum, be on watch, on guard custodia: custodia, -ae, f., watching, protection, guard latent: lateo, latere, latui, hide fures: fur, furis, m., thief revertens: revertor, reverti, reversus sum, make one’s way back, return

35 comprendis = comprehendis: comprehendo, comprehendere, comprehendi, comprehensum, catch hold of, seize Eous: Eous, -i, m., morning-star 36 lubet = libet, libere, libuit/libitum est, it pleases, it is agreeable ficto: fictus-a-um, adj., phoney, made-up, not true, false carpere: carpo, carpere, carpsi, carptum, pluck, gather, wear away, chide, slander questu: questus, -us, m., complaint 39 saeptis: saepio, saepire, saepsi, saeptum, fence in, enclose nascitur: nascor, nasci, natus sum, be born hortis: hortus, -i, m., garden 40 convolsus: convello, convellere, convelli, convolsum, pull off, tear away, pluck aratro: aratrum, -i, n., plow 41 mulcent: mulceo, mulcere, mulsi, mulsum, soothe, appease, touch very lightly aurae: aura, -ae, f., breeze imber: imber, imbri, m., rain 43 tenui: tenuis-tenue, adj., fine, delicate, thin carptus: carpo, carpere, carpsi, carptum, pluck defloruit: defloresco, deflorescere, deflorui, shed blossoms, fade, droop ungui: unguis, -is, m., fingernail 44 optavere = optaverunt 46 amisit: amitto, amittere, amisi, amissum, lose polluto: polluo, polluere, pollui, pollutum, defile, soil, violate

– 106 –

62 Lines 20–48 Hespere, quis caelo fertur crudelior ignis? qui natam possis complexu avellere matris, complexu matris retinentem avellere natam, et iuveni ardenti castam donare puellam. quid faciunt hostes capta crudelius urbe? Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee! Hespere, quis caelo lucet iucundior ignis? qui desponsa tua firmes conubia flamma, quae pepigere viri, pepigerunt ante parentes, nec iunxere prius quam se tuus extulit ardor. quid datur a divis felici optatius hora? Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee! Hesperus e nobis, aequales, abstulit unam. ******************** ******************** namque tuo adventu vigilat custodia semper, nocte latent fures, quos idem saepe revertens, Hespere, mutato comprendis nomine Eous. at lubet innuptis ficto te carpere questu. quid tum, si carpunt, tacita quem mente requirunt? Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee! Ut flos in saeptis secretus nascitur hortis, ignotus pecori, nullo convolsus aratro, quem mulcent aurae, firmat sol, educat imber; multi illum pueri, multae optavere puellae: idem cum tenui carptus defloruit ungui, nulli illum pueri, nullae optavere puellae: sic virgo, dum intacta manet, dum cara suis est; cum castum amisit polluto corpore florem, nec pueris iucunda manet, nec cara puellis. Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee!

– 107 –

20

25

30

35

40

45

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 49

vidua: viduus-a-um, adj., barren, destitute, unmarried vitis: vitis, vitis, f., vine, branch arvo: arvum, -i, n., arable land, soil 50 mitem: mitis-mite, adj., ripe (sweet, juicy) uvam: uva, -ae, f., grape 51 tenerum: tener-tenera-tenerum, adj., delicate, tender prono: pronus-a-um, adj., bending, bent forward deflectens: deflecto, deflectere, deflexi, deflexum, deflect, bend aside, turn away, bend down pondere: pondus, ponderis, n., weight, burden 52 contingit: contingo, contingere, contigi, contactum, touch, come in contact with radice: radix, radicis, f., root flagellum: flagellum, -i, n., young vine shoot growing from the ground 53 coluere: colo, colere, colui, cultum, cultivate, till iuvenci: iuvencus, -i, m., bullock, young bull 54 ulmo: ulmus, -i, f., elm tree coniuncta: coniungo, coniungere, coniunxi, coniunctum, join together

1

2 3

4

desine: desino, desinere, desii, desitum, give up, abandon; velle and putare are complementary infinitives governed by desine. quicquam: accusative object of mereri mereri: mereor, mereri, meritus sum, treat well, deserve; to be taken with bene fieri: fio, fieri, factus sum, become, happen to be, be made Although ingratus means ungrateful, the meaning here seems to be unrecognized or unappreciated; the ingratitude is manifested by lack of recognition or appreciation. benigne: benigne, adv., kindly, gently prodest: prosum, prodesse, profui, be useful, be profitable taedet: taedet, taedere, taeduit/taesum est, it irks, it annoys, it wearies

marito: maritus, -i, m., husband inculta: incultus-a-um, adj., untilled, unfertilized senescit: senesco, senescere, senui, grow old, wither, become feeble 57 adepta est: adipiscor, adipisci, adeptus sum, obtain, get 58 invisa: invisus-a-um, adj., not wanted, a source of worry, being a burden, being distasteful 60 aequom = aequum: aequus-a-um, adj., fair, proper, balanced 61 parere: pareo, parere, parui, obey, yield to (with dative) 62 virginitas: virginitas, virginitatis, f., maidenhood, virginity 63 patrist = patri est 65 genero: gener, generi, m., son-in-law sua: reference to the parentum of line 62 iura: ius, iuris, n., law, right dote: dos, dotis, f., dowry 56

5

6

– 108 –

obestque: obsum, obesse, obfui, be opposed to, be against, harm magis: magis, adv., instead gravius: gravis-grave, adj., heavy, serious acerbius: acerbus-a-um, adj., bitter, harsh, sour urget: urgeo, urgere, ursi, press, push, force, anger The multiple elisions in this line provide an auditory and visual demonstration of the tightknit bond which once existed between Catullus and his friend. This is an example of the iconic use of language, whereby the poet’s chosen words essentially become a picture or enactment of a crucial idea being conveyed by the poem. The “pastness” of the relationship is also emphasized by the final word, habuit, a perfect tense form.

62 Lines 49–66 Ut vidua in nudo vitis quae nascitur arvo, numquam se extollit, numquam mitem educat uvam, sed tenerum prono deflectens pondere corpus iam iam contingit summum radice flagellum; hanc nulli agricolae, nulli coluere iuvenci: at si forte eadem est ulmo coniuncta marito, multi illam agricolae, multi coluere iuvenci: sic virgo, dum intacta manet, dum inculta senescit; cum par conubium maturo tempore adepta est, cara viro magis et minus est invisa parenti. Et tu ne pugna cum tali coniuge, virgo. non aequom est pugnare, pater cui tradidit ipse, ipse pater cum matre, quibus parere necesse est. virginitas non tota tua est, ex parte parentum est, tertia pars patrist, pars est data tertia matri, tertia sola tua est: noli pugnare duobus, qui genero sua iura simul cum dote dederunt. Hymen O Hymenaee, Hymen ades O Hymenaee!

50

55

58b

60

65

73 A further journey into relationships gone bad, the subject of Poems 70 and 72, this poem extends the poet’s awareness of injustice and inequity. He seems to say that no matter how much loyalty he displays, it will not engender goodness in another person.

Desine de quoquam quicquam bene velle mereri aut aliquem fieri posse putare pium. omnia sunt ingrata, nihil fecisse benigne <prodest,> immo etiam taedet obestque magis; ut mihi, quem nemo gravius nec acerbius urget quam modo qui me unum atque unicum amicum habuit.

– 109 –

5

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1 2 3

1

2 3

2 3

4

huc: huc, adv., to this place officio: officium, -ii, n., conscience, service, respect perdidit: perdo, perdere, perdidi, perditum, lose queat: queo, quire, quivi, be able

mi = mihi praesente viro: ablative absolute viro: Lesbia’s (Clodia’s) husband, Quintus Metellus Celer, who died in 59 bc. fatuo: fatuus-a-um, adj., stupid; here used substantively mule: mulus, -i, m., mule oblita: obliviscor, oblivisci, oblitus sum, forget (with the genitive case)

4

5 6

dispeream: dispereo, disperire, disperii, go to ruin completely, be undone quia: quia, conj., because totidem: totidem, adv., just as many; the sense here seems to be “because things are the same with me,” namely, “just as she keeps on talking about me and cannot keep quiet about me, so I cannot either stop talking or keep silent about my feelings for her.”

4

– 110 –

The words omnia si facias mean “if you were to do everything imaginable.” The implication is that if she were to do anything, no matter how terrible, he would still be unable to stop loving her.

taceret: taceo, tacere, tacui, tacitum, be quiet sana: sanus-a-um, adj., sane, rational; free from love gannit: gannio, gannire, snarl, growl obloquitur: obloquor, obloqui, oblocutus sum, speak, contradict, interrupt meminit: memini, meminisse, (defective verb) remember, think of uritur: uro, urere, ussi, ustum, burn, burn up loquitur: loquor, loqui, locutus sum, speak, talk

deprecor: deprecor, deprecari, deprecatus sum, cry out, pray for relief, curse illam: object of deprecor assidue: assidue, adv., constantly

75 This poem portrays the poet’s mind as so myopically preoccupied with Lesbia that he is unable to free himself from loving her whether she is bad or good.

Huc est mens deducta tua mea, Lesbia, culpa atque ita se officio perdidit ipsa suo, ut iam nec bene velle queat tibi, si optima fias, nec desistere amare, omnia si facias.

83 Perhaps datable to the beginning of their relationship, this poem portrays Catullus and Lesbia situated together in the company of her unsuspecting husband. Catullus expresses amazement at how blind Metellus can be.

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.

5

92 Reflecting the intensity of Poem 85 and using some of the vocabulary from Poem 83, this poem provides a window into the tortured soul of the poet.

Lesbia mi dicit semper male nec tacet umquam de me: Lesbia me dispeream nisi amat. quo signo? quia sunt totidem mea: deprecor illam assidue, verum dispeream nisi amo.

– 111 –

NOTES AND VOCABULARY 1

2

3

5

1 2

1

2

3

Zmyrna was the title of a narrative poem by Cinna which told of the union of Cinyras and Zmyrna (Myrrha), from which came Adonis. messem: messis, messis, f., harvest coepta: coepi, coepisse, coeptus, (defective verb) begin edita: edo, edere, edidi, editum, give out, put forth, publish quingenta = 500; Hortensius was the well respected orator who may also have attempted to write some poetry. cavas: cavus-a-um, adj., empty, hollow in the sense that the waves are deep-channeled

6

7

8

Antimacho: Antimachus was a writer whose books seem not to have been very well respected in antiquity.

monimenta = monumenta: monumentum, -i, n., memorial tumido: tumidus-a-um, adj., swollen, long-winded gaudeat: gaudeo, gaudere, gavisus sum, take delight in, take joy in (with dative)

cupido: cupidus-a-um, adj., longing, desirous optantique: opto, optare, optavi, optatum, desire, wish optigit = obtigit: obtingo, obtingere, obtigi, happen, occur insperanti: insperans, insperantis, adj., not expecting proprie: proprie, adv., properly, particularly †nobis quoque†: daggers like these indicate an unreadable manuscript and tentative editorial solution. carius: carus-a-um, adj., dear

Satrachi: Satrachus, -i, m., the Satrachus, a river in Cyprus, perhaps connected with the stories told in Cinna’s poem cana: canus-a-um, adj., aged, old, venerable pervolvent: pervolvo, pervolvere, pervolvi, pervolutum, keep reading through, keep turning over Paduam: Padua, -ae, f., the city of Padua where perhaps Volusius, the subject of Poem 36, lived and wrote morientur: morior, mori, mortuus sum, die laxas: laxus-a-um, adj., loose scombris: scomber, scombri, m., mackerel tunicas: tunica, -ae, f., covering

4 6

7

– 112 –

restituis: restituo, restituere, restitui, restitutum, restore lucem: accusative in an exclamation; “O day with a more gleaming mark!” nota: nota, -ae, f., mark, sign, note felicior. felix, felicis, adj., fortunate, lucky. Lines 7 and 8 have textual problems as indicated by the daggers before hac and optandus. The sense is best rendered if res is substituted for est, and, to modify it in the accusative plural, optandus becomes optandas.

95 This poem, like Poems 22, 35, and 36, deals with the writing of poetry. Its theme is best expressed by the saying: quality not quantity, or perhaps “multum non multa.”

Zmyrna mei Cinnae nonam post denique messem quam 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 ipsam et laxas scombris saepe dabunt tunicas.

5

95B These two lines were probably a part of Poem 95 but were separated from the body of that poem in the manuscript tradition.

Parva mei mihi sint cordi monimenta ... , at populus tumido gaudeat Antimacho.

107 Catullus expresses his unanticipated joy at an impending reconciliation with Lesbia. The frequent repetition of words throughout the poem may indicate the poet’s uncontrolled happiness.

Si quicquam cupido optantique obtigit umquam insperanti, 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 te nobis. O lucem candidiore nota! quis me uno vivit felicior, aut magis †hac est †optandus vita dicere quis poterit?

– 113 –

5

APPENDIX II: METERS Catullus uses mainly the hendecasyllabic meter, occasionally the Sapphic, the iambic senarius and the limping iambics. In the long poems, Poem 61 uses pherecrateans and glyconics; Poems 62 and 64 are in dactylic hexameter; Poem 63 is in the galliambic meter; all the remaining poems (65–116) are written in elegiac distich. The metrical patterns of the meters used in this book appear below. The AP* exam requires familiarity with the hendecasyllabic, Sapphic, dactylic hexameter, and the elegiac distich.

Hendecasyllabic The hendecasyllabic is a meter composed of eleven syllables and five poetic feet. The name derives from the Greek word hendeka (eleven), from hen (one) and deka (ten). The first two syllables of the line may be an iamb (a short syllable followed by a long syllable), or a spondee (two long syllables), or a trochee (long syllable followed by a short syllable). The second foot is a dactyl; the third and fourth feet are trochees. The fifth foot can be either a spondee or a trochee. The final syllable can be long or short (syllaba anceps). The line is scanned as follows: 1

2

3

4

5

_ _

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪

_ ∪

_ ∪

_ ∪ ∪ _

Iambic Senarius (Iambic Trimeter) This meter appears in Poems 4 and 29 and consists of six iambs. 1

2

3

4

5

6

∪ _

∪ _

∪ _

∪ _

∪ _

∪ _

*AP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

Limping Iambic In Poem 31 the meter is essentially iambic, but there are variations. For example, the first and fifth syllables may be long or short, making the first and third feet either spondees or iambs; the last foot will be either a spondee or trochee. Such departures from the pure iambic senarius as seen in Poem 4 are usually identified as “limping iambs,” “choliambics,” or “scazons.” 1

2

3

4

5

6

∪ _

∪ _

∪ _

∪ _

∪ _

_ ∪

_ _

_ _

_ _

Dactylic Hexameter The meter of classical epic is the dactylic hexameter. This consists of six poetic feet comprising a maximum of 17 syllables. The fifth foot is almost always a dactyl and the sixth foot has two syllables forming either a spondee or a trochee. The final syllable can be long or short and is regularly called the syllaba anceps, the two-headed (doubtful) syllable. Any one or all of the first four feet of the hexameter line can become spondees. This meter is used in Poem 64 included in the AP* syllabus. The normal scansion and the fully spondaic version appear below: 1

2

3

4

5

6

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪

_ _

_ _

_ _

_ _

_ ∪ ∪

_ _

Elegiac Distich (Couplet) A meter which uses the dactylic hexameter line followed by a dactylic pentameter line is known as the elegiac couplet or distich. Poems 65–116 within the AP* selections from Catullus follow this meter. The same variations which attended the hexameter line attend its use in this meter. The pentameter line, a line of five (not six) poetic feet, is really composed of two sections, each consisting of two and one half feet. The first part of the line can have two spondees followed by a long monosyllable. A caesura, the point where a breath is drawn by the reciter, is then inserted. The caesura is followed by two dactylic feet and a second monosyllable as is shown below. The two monosyllabic feet add up to one full foot, which, when added to the other feet, give five feet to the line.

Dactylic hexameter:

Dactylic pentameter:

1

2

3

4

5

6

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ _

1

2

1/2

4

5

1/2

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

∪

_ _

_ _

*AP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

– 116 –

Sapphic The Sapphic meter takes its name from the Greek poetry of Sappho who wrote in the sixth century bc on the island of Lesbos. Catullus imitates one of her poems in Poem 51 but uses the Sapphic meter in Poem 11 as well. The meter is one based on quatrains. The four lines observe a pattern which shows two variations. The first three lines have eleven syllables each. These syllables are grouped in two pairs of four syllables around the three syllables of a dactyl. The fourth syllable and the eleventh syllable may be long or short. The scansion of the line can be trochee, spondee or trochee, dactyl, trochee, trochee or spondee. The final line is called an Adonic and consists of the last two poetic feet of the dactylic hexameter, namely a dactyl followed by spondee or trochee, since the final syllable is a syllaba anceps. Lines 1–3:

1

2

3

4

5

_ ∪

_ ∪

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪

_ ∪

_ _ Line 4 (the Adonic):

_ _ 1

2

_ ∪ ∪

_ ∪ _ _

Glyconic and Pherecratean Poem 34 is composed of quatrains of three glyconic lines followed by one pherecratean line. The first two syllables can form a spondee, trochee, or iamb; a choriamb (long-short-short-long) and iamb follow to complete the line. A pherecratean is the same as a glyconic but there is one less syllable in the final foot. That final foot is monosyllabic, usually long but it can be short. Full scansion of these combinations are below: Glyconic:

Pherecratean:

_ _

_ ∪ ∪ _

∪ _

_ ∪

_ ∪ ∪ _

∪ _

∪ _

_ ∪ ∪ _

∪ _

_ _

_ ∪ ∪ _

∪

_ ∪

_ ∪ ∪ _

∪

∪ _

_ ∪ ∪ _

∪

– 117 –

APPENDIX III: FIGURES OF SPEECH Figures of speech must not be confused with parts of speech. The latter define the type of word being used, such as a noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, verb, participle, preposition, conjunction. Figures of speech are so called because their presence in a line of prose or poetry tends to shape the line by lending some subtlety of sound or sense which enhances the meaning of the line. The following list offers examples from the poems contained in this book. The student should be able to recognize and identify the figures, as well as offer an explanation of how the figures work in general and how the figures add to the meaning of the text or context in which they are found. Alliteration: a series of words which begin with the same letter; subdivisions include consonance and assonance: miserunt mihi muneri Fabullus (Cat. 12.15) Note not only miserunt and mihi, but also muneri. cum suis vivat valeatque moechis (Cat. 11.17) Vivat and valeat begin with the same letter. Anaphora: repetition of the same word: O factum male! O miselle passer! (Cat. 3.16) Note the repetition of “O.” da mi basia mille, deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum, deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum. (Cat. 5.7–9) In this example dein and deinde are repeated for emphasis. Anastrophe: placing the object of a preposition before rather than after that preposition’s occurrence in the line: oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi (Cat. 7.5) Oraclum is the object of inter but precedes it.

Antithesis: the side by side placement of words opposite in meaning; this may also be called contraposition: mutuis animis amant amantur (Cat. 45.20) The active and passive forms of the same verb are counterposed. Apostrophe: the direct address of a person, place or thing as present when absent: Corneli, tibi: namque tu solebas meas esse aliquid putare nugas (Cat. 1.3–4) Cornelius is addressed and personalized when he is clearly not present. Amastri Pontica et Cytore buxifer (Cat. 4.13) The city of Amastris and the mountain Cytorus are addressed. Assonance: repetition of similar vowel sounds, either medial or final: tam gaudet in se tamque se ipse miratur (Cat. 22.17) Observe the repetition of se and its appearance in the word ipse. Advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias (Cat 101.2) Note the repetition of -as. Asyndeton: the absence of connectives between words, clauses, phrases: quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere, cui primum digitum dare appetenti (Cat. 2.2–3) Notice that no connectives join the three relative clauses. sed obstinata mente perfer, obdura (Cat. 8.11) The two imperatives are not joined by a connective. Chiasmus: an arrangement of pairs of words which, when written as separate lines, form the pattern A B B A; when lines are drawn connecting these common elements, the Greek letter X (chi) is formed; hence the term chiasmus denotes that formation: a b b a et acris solet incitare morsus (Cat. 2.4) Acris modifies morsus, solet governs incitare. a b b a quem plus illa oculis suis amabat (Cat. 3.5) Illa is the subject of amabat; oculis and suis modify one another. a b b a Caesaris visens monimenta magni (Cat. 11.10) Caesaris is modified by magni; visens governs monimenta. Consonance: the repetition of the same consonantal sound medially or finally: lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus flamma demanat, sonitu suopte tintinant aures, gemina teguntur lumina nocte. (Cat. 51.9–12) Note the use of the “t” sound throughout these lines, especially the onomatopoetic sonitu ... tintinant. Ellipsis: the elimination of a word which is easily understood or derived from the context or from association with a nearby line: ... meus sodalis— Cinna est Gaius, -is sibi paravit. verum, utrum illius an mei, quid ad me? (Cat. 10.29–31) Note the forms of the verb “to be” omitted in line 31. – 120 –

Hendiadys: the use of two words with very similar meaning in order to assert one idea emphatically: vix mi ipse credens Thuniam atque Bithunos liquisse campos et videre te in tuto. (Cat. 31.5–6) Thuniam and Bithunos campos refer to the same place; by saying one the other is implied. Homeoteleuton: a series of words which end in the same sounds: et quantum est hominum venustiorum (Cat. 3.2) The syllables -tum, -num, -iorum all end in the same sound “um.” Hyperbole: extraordinary exaggeration: da mi basia mille, deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum, deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum. (Cat. 5.7–9) Here Catullus suggests Lesbia will kiss him 3,300 times Litotes: the assertion of something by denying its opposite: non sane illepidum neque invenustum (Cat. 10.4) The non qualifies illepidum and invenustum. The translation is then “not unadmirable or uncharming.” si non illepidum neque invenustum est (Cat. 36.17) This is a repetition of the above in a later poem. Salve, nec minimo puella naso nec bello pede nec nigris ocellis nec longis digitis nec ore sicco nec sane nimis elegante lingua (Cat. 43.1–4) Metonymy: the use of one word to suggest another: pleni ruris et inficetiarum (Cat. 36.19) Ruris means country and here suggests crudity. Onomatopoeia: the matching of sound to sense: ad solam dominam usque pipiabat (Cat. 3.10) The verb pipiabat creates the sound of the bird’s chirping. tunditur unda (Cat. 11.4) The sound of the wave pounding on the shore is recreated by -undin the verb and the following word unda. loquente saepe sibilum edidit coma. (Cat. 4.12) The sounds of the initial “s” suggest the sound of breezes through the branches of the tree. Personification: treating the inanimate as animate: Phaselus ille, quem videtis, hospites, /ait (Cat. 4.1–2) The boat is given the ability to speak. velim Caecilio, papyre, dicas (Cat. 35. 2) Catullus imagines that his papyrus has the ability to speak. Polyptoton: repetition of key words with slight changes in the endings of the words: gemelle Castor et gemelle Castoris. (Cat. 4.27) Both the nominative and genitive forms of the proper noun Castor appear in this line. tam to basia multa basiare (Cat. 7.9) The noun basia appears as a cognate in the present infinitive basiare. – 121 –

Polysyndeton: the excessive use of connectives: Salve, nec minimo puella naso nec bello pede nec nigris ocellis nec longis digitis nec ore sicco nec sane nimis elegante lingua (Cat. 43.1–4) The connective nec is repeated numerous times above. Rhetorical Question: a question which does not expect an answer: scelesta, vae te! quae tibi manet vita? quis nunc te adibit? cui videberis bella? quem nunc amabis? cuius esse diceris? quem basiabis? cui labella mordebis? (Cat. 8.15–18) Note the series of questions. Synchysis: an arrangement of pairs of words which forms the pattern A B A B; the parallel nature of the connection of these common elements leads to the term parallel word order: a b a b at mi nullus erat nec hic neque illic (Cat. 10. 21) In this example the correlative conjunctions nec and neque are associated, as are the adverbs hic and illic. a b a b Minister vetuli puer Falerni (Cat. 27.1) Here minister aligns with puer and vetuli modifies Falerni. Syncopation or Syncope: the contraction of words such as the genitive plural of the second declension and the third person plural of the perfect indicative active: donarunt Veneres (Cat. 13.12) Donarunt is the contracted form of donaverunt. Synecdoche: a part of something which is used to suggest the whole (pars pro toto): neque ullius natantis impetum trabis (Cat. 4.3) Trabis means ship beam, which suggests ship. Tricolon: grouping adjectives, nouns, phrases or clauses in threes: quae Syrtis, quae Scylla rapax, quae vasta Charybdis (Cat. 64.156) Syrtis, Scylla, and Charybdis form a tricolon. Zeugma: one word used simultaneously in both a literal and a figurative way: et me recuravi otioque et urtica. (Cat. 44.15) The verb recuravi means to heal emotionally (i.e., figuratively) by the use of otio, and to heal physically (i.e., literally) by the use of urtica.

– 122 –

GLOSSARY: LATIN TO ENGLISH VOCABULARY A

adsiduus-a-um, adj., incessant

a, interj., ah! (an interjection expressing various feelings such as regret, distress, pity)

advento, adventare, adventavi, adventatum, come in haste, advance

abeo, abire, abii, come out, come off, be allowed to pass

adventus, -us, m., arrival

abhorreo, abhorrere, abhorrui, shrink back from, differ

advoco, advocare, advocavi, advocatum, invoke

absumo, absumere, absumpsi, absumptum, exhaust, consume, kill abutor, abuti, abusus sum, use, abuse (with ablative) accido, accidere, accidi, fall, happen, befall, develop accipio, accipere, accepi, acceptum, receive, hear acer-acris-acre, adj., sharp, fierce acerbus-a-um, adj., bitter, harsh, sour acies, -ei, f., gaze, sight acinus, -i, m., grape acquiesco, acquiescere, acquievi, acquietum, become quiet, settle down adimo, adimere, ademi, ademptum, withdraw, take away, remove adipiscor, adipisci, adeptus sum, obtain, get adludo, adludere, adlusi, adlusum, play, play with adluo, adluere, adlui, flow near to, wash over admiror, admirari, admiratus sum, wonder, be surprised at adnuo, adnuere, adnui, adnutum, assent, promise

adversus-a-um, adj., opposite, facing Aegeus, -i, m., Aegeus, father of Theseus, King of Athens aequalis, -is, m., comrade, friend aeque, adv., equally aequinoctialis-aequinoctiale, adj., equinoctial aequus-a-um, adj., fair, proper, balanced aereus-a-um, adj., copper or bronze colored aerius-a-um, adj., lofty aes, aeris, n., bronze, (by metonymy) profit aestimatio, aestimationis, f., esteem, value aestimo, aestimare, aestimavi, aestimatum, evaluate, rate aestuosus-a-um, adj., sultry, very hot aestus, -us, m., tide, surge of the sea aetas, aetatis, f., life, time aevum, -i, n., age, history affero, afferre, att uli, allatum, bring, carry agnosco, agnoscere, agnovi, agnitum, know once more ago, agere, egi, actum, put forth, drive, do, pass

Ariadna, -ae, f., daughter of Minos, King of Crete

ait: aio, (defective verb used mainly in present and imperfect) say

aridus-a-um, adj., dry

ala, alae, f., wing, arm, arm-pit

arvum, -i, n., arable land, soil

ales, alitis, f., bird

as, assis, m., a penny, a copper coin

alga, -ae, f., seaweed

aspicio, aspicere, aspexi, aspectum, catch sight of, look closely at

aliquis-aliquid, (indefinite pronoun) someone, something alo, alere, alui, altum, rear, raise, foster, support, nourish amans, amantis, adj., loving amarities, -ei, f., bitterness

assidue, adv., constantly assiduus-a-um, adj., continual, constant at, conj., yet attamen, conj., even so, nevertheless

amarus-a-um, adj., bitter

attingo, attingere, attigi, attactum, touch, come into contact with, arrive at

Amastris, -is, f., Amastris, a city near Mount Cytorus

att ribuo, att ribuere, att ribui, att ributum, allot, bestow

ambo-ae-o, adj., both

audeo, audere, ausus sum, dare

amica, -ae, f., lover, ladyfriend, mistress

aufero, auferre, abstuli, ablatum, snatch away, steal, rob

amictus, -us, m., dress, clothing, garment amnis, amnis, m., river

augeo, augere, auxi, auctum, increase, enlarge, bless (endow) with

amo, amare, amavi, amatum, love, make love

aura, -ae, f., wind, breeze, air

amplius, adv., any further, any longer

aureolus-a-um, adj., golden

Androgeoneus-a-um, adj., of or pertaining to Androgeus, a son of King Minos,

auris, auris, f., ear

anguinus-a-um, adj., snaky

auspicium, -ii, n., augury, the study of the flight of birds

amitto, amittere, amisi, amissum, lose

angustus-a-um, narrow animus, -i, m., mind, being annalis-annale, adj., lasting one year

auspicatus-a-um, adj., well-omened

autumo, autumare, autumavi, autumatum, affirm, assert

antenna, -ae, f., the yardarm of a ship

avello, avellere, avulsi, avulsum, tear away, remove by violence

antique, adv., in ancient times

aveo, avere, wish, want, desire strongly

antisto, antistare, antistiti, (with the dative case) surpass, excel

avia, -ae, f., grandmother

anus, anus, f., old woman anxius-a-um, adj., troubled

avunculus, -i, m., maternal uncle avus, -i, m., grandfather

apiscor, apisci, aptus sum, obtain, get appeto, appetere, appetivi, appetitum, seek, seek greedily, strive after applico, applicare, applicavi, applicatum, hold, embrace

B bacchor, bacchari, bacchatus sum, to rave like a Bacchant (a wild devotee of Bacchus) basiatio, basiationis, f., a kissing

approbatio, approbationis, f., approval

basium, basii, n., kiss

Arabs, Arabis, m./f., an Arab

beatus-a-um, adj., happy, lucky

aranea, -ae, f., spider, spider’s web, cobweb

bellus-a-um, adj., beautiful, nice, cute, fine, lovely

aratrum, -i, n., plow ardens, ardentis, adj., passionate

bene volo, bene velle, bene volui, respect, wish well

ardor, ardoris, m., flame of passion, zeal, eagerness

benefactum, -i, n., good deed benignus-a-um, adj., kind, gentle – 124 –

blandus-a-um, adj., smooth, charming

Charybdis, -is, f., Charybdis, a monster in the Straits of Messina

brevis-breve, adj., brief, short

cieo, ciere, civi, citum, call forth, invoke

buxifer-buxifera-buxiferum, adj., producing boxwood trees

cinaedus-a-um, adj., shameless, crude cingo, cingere, cinxi, cinctum, surround, enclose

C

cinis, cineris, m./f., cinder, ash

cachinnus, -i, m., loud laugh, a jeering

circumsilio, circumsilire, hop around

caco, cacare, cacavi, cacatum, defile, defecate

clarisonus-a-um, adj., clear sounding, loud and clear

cacumen, -inis, n., extreme end of a thing, point, tip, peak, summit

cliens, clientis, m., client

caedes, caedis, f., murder

coepi, coepisse, coeptum, begin

caelebs, caelibis, adj., unmarried, single

coetus, -us, m., meeting, crowd

caeles, caelitis, m./f., heaven-dweller, god

cogitatio, cogitationis, f., reflection

caeruleus-a-um, adj., blue

cohors, cohortis, f., the staff, retinue

caesius-a-um, adj., gray-eyed, blue-eyed

colligo, colligere, collegi, collectum, gather, collect

caligo, caliginis, f., mist, fog

collis, -is, m., hill

calix, calicis, m., cup, pot

colloco, collocare, collocavi, collocatum, place, put in order

candidus-a-um, adj., white, bright, dazzling, gleaming

collum, -i, n., neck

canities, -ei, f., grey hair

colo, colere, colui, cultum, cultivate, till, inhabit

cano, canere, cecini, cantum, sing

comatus-a-um, adj., long-haired, leafy

canus-a-um, adj., aged, old, venerable

commemoro, commemorare, commemoravi, commemoratum, relate, recall

caper, capri, m., goat

commodo, commodare, commodavi, commodatum, lend, give, bestow

capillus, -i, m., hair caprimulgus, -i, m., a milker of goats

commodum, -i, n., opportunity, advantage

capsula, -ae, f., small cylindrical box for carrying a scroll

commodus-a-um, adj., favorable comparo, comparare, comparavi, comparatum, procure, obtain, purchase

carbasus, -i, f., sail carina, -ae, f., ship carpo, carpere, carpsi, carptum, pluck, pick, gather, wear away, chide, snatch, enjoy carta, -ae, f., paper, a sheet of Egyptian papyrus

complector, complecti, complexus sum, embrace, clasp complexus, -us, m., embrace comprecor, comprecari, comprecatus sum, implore, supplicate

carus-a-um, adj., dear castus-a-um, adj., pure, chaste, innocent casus, -us, m., event, misfortune, crisis

comprehendo, comprehendere, comprehendi, comprehensum, catch hold, grasp

caveto, second person singular future imperative of caveo, beware of

concedo, concedere, concessi, concessum, allow, grant

cavus-a-um, adj., empty, hollow

concino, concinere, concinui, sound, sing

Cecropius-a-um, adj., Athenian, from King Cecrops of Athens

concipio, concipere, concepi, conceptum, conceive

ceno, cenare, cenavi, cenatum, dine

condo, condere, condidi, conditum, preserve, store, write

cerno, cernere, crevi, cretum, decide, see

conficio, conficere, confeci, confectum, complete

certest = certe est

confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum, confess, admit

ceu, adv., just as

coniger, conigera, conigerum, adj., cone-bearing – 125 –

coniungo, coniungere, coniunxi, coniunctum, join together

cum primum, adv., as soon as

conor, conari, conatus sum, try, attempt

cur, conj., why

conqueror, conqueri, conquestus sum, complain, bewail

cura, -ae, f., care, anxiety, love

cupidus-a-um, adj., desiring, longing, desirous of

conscius-a-um, adj., knowing, guilty

curiosus-a-um, adj., inquisitive; (as a substantive) “busybody”

conscribo, conscribere, conscripsi, conscriptum, write

custodia, -ae, f., watching, protection, guard

consero, conserere, consevi, consitum, cover, plant, sow consilium, consilii, n., decision, plan consolor, consolari, consolatus sum, console, comfort, cheer

Cyclades, Cycladum, f., the Cyclades Islands Cyrenae, Cyrenarum, f., Cyrene, the capital of Libya Cytorius-a-um, adj., pertaining to Mount Cytorus Cytorus, -i, m., Mount Cytorus in Asia Minor

consterno, consternere, constravi, constratum, cover

D

consurgo, consurgere, consurrexi, consurrectum, rise, stand up

daps, dapis, f., religious feast, a sacrificial meal

contego, contegere, contexi, contectum, cover, hide, conceal contemptus-a-um, adj., despised, despicable contingo, contingere, contigi, contactum, touch, come in contact with continuus-a-um, adj., following contorqueo, contorquere, contorsi, contortum, twist, turn contra, adv., on the other side contremo, contremere, contremui, tremble, quake conturbo, conturbare, conturbavi, conturbatum, confuse, disturb, upset

Daulias, Dauliadis, adj., of or pertaining to Daulis decet, decere, decuit, it is becoming, it is suitable, it does seem proper declino, declinare, declinavi, declinatum, turn aside, lower decoctor, decoctoris, m., bankrupt, spendthrift decursus, -us, m., descent, fall decus, decoris, n., glory defero, deferre, detuli, delatum, bring down, carry down, offer, confer deflecto, deflectere, deflexi, deflexum, deflect, bend aside, turn away

conubium, -ii, n., marriage

defloresco, deflorescere, deflorui, shed blossoms, fade, droop

convello, convellere, convelli, convulsum or convolsum, pull off, tear away, pluck

dein, deinde, adv., then

convenio, convenire, conveni, conventum, be fitting, be proper, be agreed upon converto, convertere, converti, conversum, turn back conviva, -ae, m., guest, table companion cor, cordis, n., heart corona, -ae, f., circle of bystanders at a trial cortex, corticis, m./f., bark credo, credere, credidi, creditum, believe

delicatus-a-um, adj., cute, fancy, racy, dainty deliciae, deliciarum, f. (plural), delight, charm, “sweetheart” Delius-a-um, adj., relating to the island of Delos demano, demanare, demanavi, flow down deperdo, deperdere, deperdidi, deperditum, ruin, destroy depereo, deperire, deperii, be desperately in love with

creo, creare, creavi, creatum, create, beget

deprecor, deprecari, deprecatus sum, cry out, pray against

Creta, -ae, f., the island of Crete

desertus-a-um, adj., abandoned, left alone

cubile, -is, n., bed, couch, resting place

desiderium, -ii, n., longing

cubo, cubare, cubui, cubitum, recline, lie down

desino, desinere, desii, desitum, cease, stop, give up, abandon

cum, conj., when

– 126 –

despondeo, despondere, despondi, desponsum, pledge, betroth

E ebriosus-a-um, adj., drunken

despuo, despuere, despui, desputum, spit upon, show contempt for

ebrius-a-um, adj., drunken

destinatus-a-um, adj., be fixed, determined in mind

edo, edere, edi, esum, consume

desum, deesse, defui, fail (with the dative case)

edo, edere, edidi, editum, bring forth, give out, put forth, publish

devincio, devincire, devinxi, devinctum, bind

effigies, -ei, f., statue, image

devoro, devorare, devoravi, devoratum, devour, destroy

egelidus-a-um, adj., moderately warm

devotus-a-um, adj., accursed

egredior, egredi, egressus sum, go out, put to sea

Dia, -ae, f., Dia is the name of an island north of Crete

eheu, interj., alas

dicax, dicacis, adj., witty, sharp, sarcastic

eicio, eicere, eieci, eiectum, run aground

differtus-a-um, adj., full of

electus-a-um, adj., select, picked

digitus, -i, m., finger; primus digitus, fingertip of the index finger, forefinger

elegans, elegantis, adj., elegant, charming, pleasing, rewarding

dilacero, dilacerare, dilaceravi, dilaceratum, tear to pieces

eligo, eligere, elegi, electum, choose, pick

diligo, diligere, dilexi, dilectum, love, esteem highly

Eous, -i, m., morning-star

dirigo, dirigere, direxi, directum, make straight, level

epistolium, epistolii, n., short letter

ei, interj., alas (governs the dative)

eo, ire, ii/ivi, itum, go, come Eous-a-um, adj., eastern

discerno, discernere, discrevi, discretum, separate discerpo, discerpere, discerpsi, discerptum, disperse, tear apart

errabundus-a-um, adj., wandering error, erroris, m., wandering, wavering, flaw, maze

disertus-a-um, adj., articulate, eloquent, clever in speaking

eruo, eruere, erui, erutum, uproot

dispereo, disperire, disperii, go to ruin completely, be undone divido, dividere, divisi, divisum, divide, force apart do, dare, dedi, datum, give doceo, docere, docui, doctum, teach doctus-a-um, adj., learned, clever doleo, dolere, dolui, dolitum, grieve dolor, doloris, m., grief, pain domo, domare, domui, domitum, tame, conquer, break, subdue domus, -us, f., house, home dono, donare, donavi, donatum, give, dedicate, present, grant, bestow dormio, dormire, dormivi or dormii, dormitum, sleep dos, dotis, f., dowry dulcis-dulce, adj., sweet

Erec(h)theus-a-um, adj., Athenian, from the name of Erechtheus, a legendary king of Athens

erus, -i, m., heir, master of the house, owner Erycinus-a-um, adj., of or pertaining to Mt. Eryx in Sicily, sacred to Venus, an epithet for Venus etsi, conj., even if, although Eumenides, Eumenidum, f., the Furies, avenging goddesses with snakes in their hair Eurotas, -ae, m., the Eurotas, a river in southern Greece exagito, exagitare, exagitavi, exagitatum, incite, disturb, excite exardesco, exardescere, exarsi, exarsum, blaze out, kindle, take fire excrucio, excruciare, excruciavi, excruciatum, torment, torture excutio, excutere, excussi, excussum, shake out expallesco, expallescere, expallui, expallitum, turn pale expello, expellere, expuli, expulsum, drive out, drive away, eject expleo, explere, explevi, expletum, fill

– 127 –

explico, explicare, explicavi, explicatum, unfold, explain

fetus, fetus, m., offspring

expolio, expolire, expolivi, expolitum, smooth off, polish

figo, figere, fixi, fictum, strike, pierce

fictus-a-um, adj., phoney, made-up, not true, false

exprimo, exprimere, expressi, expressum, translate expromo, expromere, exprompsi, expromptum, show forth, display, bring forth, state, disclose exsolvo, exsolvere, exsolvi, exsolutum, pay, exact exspecto, exspectare, exspectavi, exspectatum, expect, wait for exspiro, exspirare, exspiravi, exspiratum, breathe out, rush out

flagellum, -i, n., young vine or shoot growing from the ground flagrans, flagrantis, adj., burning, glowing, blazing flamen, flaminis, n., gale, wind flavus-a-um, adj., golden, yellow, blonde

exspuo, exspuere, exspui, exsputum, spit out exsterno, exsternare, exsternavi, exsternatum, terrify, make mad

exturbo, exturbare, exturbavi, exturbatum, force out, knock out

fio, fieri, factus sum, happen, take place, be made, prove to be fi rmo, fi rmare, fi rmavi, fi rmatum, confirm, strengthen

exsilio, exsilire, exsilui, spring out, bound forth

exsulto, exsultare, exsultavi, exsultatum, revel in, boast about

filum, -i, n., thread, string

fleo, flere, flevi, fletum, cry, weep over, mourn for fletus, -us, m., crying, weeping, tears flexus, -us, m., winding florens, florentis, adj., blooming, shining, bright, youthful floridus-a-um, adj., blooming, beautiful flos, floris, m., flower

F fabula, -ae, f., story, rumor face, an imperative form of facio faceret pili: non facere pili, an idiom meaning to care nothing about facetiae, -arum, f., clever talk, humor facio, facere, feci, factum, make, do Falernus-a-um, adj., Falernian, from a region in Campania

fluctuo, fluctuare, fluctuavi, fluctuatum, move in waves, waver, vacillate, toss fluentisonus-a-um, adj., resounding with waves fluito, fluitare, fluitavi, fluitatum, flow, float foedo, foedare, foedavi, foedatum, befoul, mar, sully foedus, foederis, n., pact, agreement, bond fore = futurum esse fores = esses

fallax, fallacis, adj., deceitful, deceptive

foret = esset

fallo, fallere, fefelli, falsum, deceive, trick, cheat

formosus-a-um, adj., shapely, beautiful

falsus-a-um, adj., false, disloyal

fors, fortis, f., chance, luck

famulor, famulari, famulatus sum, serve

fortasse, adv., perhaps

fascino, fascinare, fascinavi, fascinatum, cast an evil eye upon, jinx

fossor, fossoris, m., digger, lout, clown

fatuus-a-um, adj., stupid

fretum, -i, n., strait, sound, channel

faveo, favere, favi, fautum, favor, promote

frigidulus-a-um, adj., chilly

felix, felicis, adj., fortunate, lucky

frondosus-a-um, adj., rich in leaves

femur, femoris, n., thigh

frustror, frustrari, frustratus sum, trick, deceive

fero, ferre, tuli, latum, bring, carry

frux, frugis, f., fruit, produce

ferrugo, ferruginis, f., rust, dark color

fuere = fuerunt

ferus-a-um, adj., hard, fierce, wild

fugio, fugere, fugi, fugitum, flee

ferus, -i, m., beast

fugo, fugare, fugavi, fugatum, cause to flee, drive off, put to flight

fervidus-a-um, adj., fiery

frango, frangere, fregi, fractum, break

– 128 –

fui libenter, idiomatic for “I was delighted”

harundinosus-a-um, adj., overgrown with reeds

fulgeo, fulgere, fulsi, shine

heros, herois, m., hero

fulgor, fulgoris, m., glitter, gleam, flash, brightness

Hespere = Vespere

funditus, adv., utterly, completely

hesternus-a-um, adj., yesterday

fundo, fundere, fudi, fusum, pour, shed, utter

Hiber, Hiberis, m./f., an Iberian or Spaniard

fundus, -i, m., a piece of land, a farm, an estate

Hiberi, -orum, m., the Iberians or Spaniards

funesto, funestare, funestavi, funestatum, desecrate, stain with blood

Hiberus-a-um, adj., Iberian, Spanish

funestus-a-um, adj., deadly, fatal, sorrowful

hortus, -i, m., garden

funis, -is, m., rope

hospes, hospitis, m., guest, host

funus, funeris, n., burial, corpse

huc, adv., to this place

fur, furis, m., thief

Hymen, Hymenis, m., god of marriage

furtivus-a-um, adj., stolen, secret, hidden

Hymenaeus, -i, m., wedding song

furtum, -i, n., theft

Hyrcani, -orum, m., people living on the shores of the Caspian Sea

hinc, adv., from here

G

I

gannio, gannire, snarl, growl gaudeo, gaudere, gavisus sum, rejoice at, find joy in (with dative)

Iacchus, -i, m., Bacchus

geminus-a-um, adj., twin, both

iacto, iactare, iactavi, iactatum, throw, toss

gener, generi, m., son-in-law

iam, adv., now

germanus, -i, m., brother

iambus, -i, m., iambic poetry

gestio, gestire, gestivi, gestitum, throw oneself about, be cheerful, be excited

Idaeus-a-um, adj., pertaining to the Ida mountain range on Crete

(g)nati, -orum, m. children [from (g)nascor, be born], “sons”

Idalium, Idalii, n., Idalium, a town on Cyprus associated with Venus

Gnosius-a-um, adj., of or belonging to Knossos, Cretan

idem, used as an adv., in the same way, likewise

Golgi, -orum, m., Golgi, a site on Cyprus, an island much associated with Venus Gortynius-a-um, adj., Gortynian, from the town of Gortyna on Crete grabatus, -i, m., cot, a small bed, couch gradior, gradi, gressus sum, go, journey gratum est, it is pleasing gravedo, gravedinis, f., cold, head cold gravis-grave, adj., serious, dire, grave gremium, -ii, n., lap

iaceo, iacere, iacui, iacitum, lie, recline

identidem, adv., again and again, constantly ignosco, ignoscere, ignovi, ignotum, pardon, forgive, have sympathy for ilia, ilium, n. (plural), the groin ille-illa-illud, (demonstrative pronoun/ adjective) that illepidus-a-um, adj., inelegant illinc, adv., from there, on that side illuc, adv., there, to that place imber, imbris, m., rain imbuo, imbuere, imbui, imbutum, wet, soak, saturate

H habe tibi, an abrupt colloquial phrase: “Take it in ‘as-is’ condition”

immemor, immemoris, adj., unmindful (with the dative) immerens, immerentis, adj., undeserving

Hadriaticum, -i, n., Adriatic Sea

immitis, -e, adj., inexorable, severe

harena, -ae, f., sand, grain of sand

immo, adv., no, on the contrary – 129 –

impensus-a-um, adj., vehement, excessive, great, strong

insulsus-a-um, adj., tasteless, insipid

impius-a-um, adj., unworthy, (as a substantive) wrongdoer

integer-integra-integrum, adj., chaste

insulto, insultare, insultavi, insultatum, exult interficio, interficere, interfeci, interfectum, kill, destroy

impotens, impotentis, adj., powerless to control, feeble, weak

interitus, -us, m., fall, overthrow, destruction, death

incensus-a-um, adj., inflamed, burned up, set on fire

intestinus-a-um, adj., internal, personal intortus-a-um, adj., twisted

incido, incidere, incidi, incasum, fall upon, come unexpectedly upon

invenustus-a-um, adj., uncharming; the antithesis of anything tastefully done

incipio, incipere, incepi, inceptum, begin

invideo, invidere, invidi, invisum, cast an evil eye upon, begrudge

incohatus-a-um, adj., begun (but not finished) incoho, incohare, incohavi, incohatum, begin

inviso, invisere, invisi, invisum, look upon, see

incolumis-incolume, adj., unharmed, uninjured incommodum, incommodi, n., trouble, loss, misfortune

invisus-a-um, adj., not wanted invitus-a-um, adj., unwilling, opposed

incommodus-a-um, adj., troublesome, (as a substantive) trouble, misfortune

iocor, iocari, iocatus sum, tease, joke

incultus-a-um, adj., untilled, unfertilized

iocus, -i, m., jest, joke

incurvo, incurvare, incurvavi, incurvatum, bend indignus-a-um, adj., unworthy

Ionius-a-um, adj., Ionian, relating to the sea west of Greece

indomitus-a-um, adj., untamed, wild

ipse-ipsa-ipsum, (intensive pronoun) –self

ineptio, ineptire, make a fool of oneself

irritus-a-um, adj., invalid, worthless, unsettled, null and void

iocosus-a-um, adj., humorous, funny

ineptus-a-um, adj., foolish

irrumator, irrumatoris, m., a deviate, pervert

infacetus-a-um, adj., dull, not witty

istinc, adv., from there, from where you are

infelix, infelicis, adj., sterile, unlucky inferiae, -arum, f. (plural), sacrifices in honor of the dead infestus-a-um, adj., unsafe, hostile

Itonus, Itoni, f., Itonus, a town in Greece sacred to Athena, goddess of Athens iubere, iussi, iussum, order, compel

inficetiae, -arum, f., coarse jokes

iucundus-a-um, adj., pleasant, agreeable, delightful, pleasing

inficio, inficere, infeci, infectum, dye, discolor

iuro, iurare, iuravi, iuratum, swear

infimus-a-um, adj., lowest

ius, iuris, n., law, right

infundo, infundere, infudi, infusum, pour on

iuvencus, -i, m., bullock, young bull

ingenuus-a-um, adj., open, noble, generous ingero, ingerere, ingessi, ingestum, pour into inguen, inguinis, n., groin

L

inicio, inicere, inieci, iniectum, throw on, cast on

labefacto, labefactare, labefactavi, labefactatum, weaken

iniquus-a-um, adj., unfair, unjust

labellum, -i, n., little lip

innupta, -ae, f., unmarried girl, maiden

laboriosus-a-um, adj., labored over, worked

inobservabilis, -e, adj., unnoticed, untraceable

labyrintheus-a-um, adj., labyrinthine, twisted, contorted

inops, inopis, adj., without resources, helpless inquam, inquis, inquit, inquiunt, (defective verb) say

lactens, -entis, adj., milky, milk-white

insidiae, -arum, f. (plural), traps, ambush

laedo, laedere, laesi, laesum, offend, hurt, knock, strike

insperans, insperantis, adj., not expecting

lacus, -us, m., lake, pond

– 130 –

laetor, laetari, laetatus sum, rejoice, take delight

liquens, liquentis, adj., liquid, fluid, clear

lamentor, lamentari, lamentatus sum, weep, lament, bewail

liquidus-a-um, adj., pure, clean

languens, -entis, adj., faint, weak

litus, litoris, n., shore

languesco, languescere, langui, weaken, grow faint

longus-a-um, adj., tall

languidus-a-um, adj., feeble, faint

loquor, loqui, locutus sum, speak, talk, say

lar, laris, m., household god; (by metonomy) hearth, dwelling, home

lorum, -i, n., strip of leather

litoralis-litorale, adj., belonging to the shore

Larius-a-um, adj., of or belonging to Lake Como

lubet = libet, libere, libuit/libitum est, it pleases, it is agreeable

lasarpicifer-lasarpicifera-lasarpiciferum, adj., bearing or producing asafoetida, (loosely translated) “exotic”

luceo, lucere, luxi, shine, shed light, be light, be clear

lateo, latere, latui, hide Latonia, daughter of Latona (Leto), i.e., Diana (Artemis)

luctus, -us, m., mourning, lamentation ludo, ludere, lusi, lusum, play, play at lugeo, lugere, luxi, luctum, mourn, lament

latro, latrare, latravi, latratum, bark

lumen, luminis, n., eye, light

laxus-a-um, adj., loose

Luna, Diana’s name when she is associated with the moon

leaena, -ae, f., lioness lectica, -ae, f., litter lectulus, -i, small couch, cot lectus, -i, m., bed

lux, lucis, f., light Lydius-a-um, adj., Lydian, Etruscan lympha, -ae, f., water

lego, legere, legi, lectum, read, pick, traverse

M

lenio, lenire, lenivi, lenitum, appease, soothe lenis-lene, adj., gentle, soft lentus-a-um, adj., tough, pliable lepidus-a-um, adj., elegant, charming lepor, leporis, m., pleasantness, charm, wit levis-leve, adj., light, slight, trivial leviter, adv., lightly, a little levo, levare, levavi, levatum, lighten, ease libellus, -i, m., small book liber-libera-liberum, freeborn libido, libidinis, f., longing, fancy, desire, passion, inclination

maeror, maeroris, m., sadness, mourning magis, adv., instead, more male, adv., badly malignus-a-um, adj., stingy, malicious malo, malle, malui, prefer malum, -i, n., apple malum, -i, n., evil, woe, misfortune malus-a-um, adj., bad, evil malus, -i, m., mast mandatum, -i, n., command maneo, manere, mansi, mansum, remain, wait

librarius-a-um, adj., pertaining to books, (as a substantive) transcriber of books

mano, manare, manavi, manatum, flow, drip, stream, spread

Libyssus-a-um, adj., Libyan

mantica, -ae, f., knapsack

Libystinus-a-um, adj., African

maritus, -i, m., husband

licet, licere, licuit, it is permitted

meditor, meditari, meditatus sum, think over, reflect upon, practice

lignum, -i, n., wood, firewood, writing tablet ligo, ligare, ligavi, ligatum, tie up, bind limpidus-a-um, adj., clear, bright, transparent linquo, liquere, liqui, leave, quit, abandon, depart linteum, -i, n., linen cloth, napkin, sail

medulla, -ae, f., marrow, bone marrow mellitus-a-um, adj., honey-sweet membrana, -ae, f., skin, parchment, possibly a sack for a manuscript

– 131 –

memini, meminisse, (defective verb) remember, think of

moror, morari, moratus sum, delay

memorabilis-memorabile, adj., capable of being learned or memorized, remarkable

mos, moris, m., practice, custom

morsus, morsus, m., bite, peck

menstruus-a-um, adj., monthly

mulceo, mulcere, mulsi, mulsum, soothe, appease, touch very lightly

mereo, merere, merui, meritum, deserve, earn

multa, -ae, f., penalty

merso, mersare, mersavi, mersatum, dip, immerse, overwhelm

multiplex, multiplicis, adj., manifold, various

merus-a-um, adj., pure, unmixed; can be used substantively to suggest unmixed wine

mulus, -i, m., mule

multo, multare, multavi, multatum, punish

messis, messis, f., harvest

munus, muneris, n., gift

metior, metiri, mensus sum, measure, travel

munusculum, -i, n., small present

metuo, metuere, metui, metutum, fear

mutus-a-um, adj., mute, non-speaking

mi = mihi

mutuus-a-um, adj., mutual

mica, -ae, f., crumb, morsel, grain

myrtus, -i, f., myrtle

migro, migrare, migravi, migratum, depart

N

milies, adv., a thousand, innumerable times

namque, conj., for, with the enclitic conjunction –que

minax, minacis, adj., threatening minister, ministri, m., servant, attendant

nascor, nasci, natus sum, be born, develop, transpire

Minois, Minoidis, f., daughter of Minos (Ariadne) mirifice, adv., wonderfully, exceedingly

nasus, -i, m., nose

mirificus-a-um, adj., causing wonder, wonderful

nata, -ae, f., daughter

mirus-a-um, adj., surprising, amazing misellus-a-um, adj., poor little, wretched, miserable (diminutive form of miser-misera-miserum)

nato, natare, natavi, swim, float natus-a-um, adj., born natus, -i, m., son

misere, adv., wretchedly misereo, miserere, miserui, feel sorry for, take pity on

naufragus, -i, m., a shipwrecked man nauta, -ae, m., sailor

miseresco, miserescere, feel pity for (with the genitive)

nebula, -ae, f., cloud

mitis-mite, adj., ripe (sweet, juicy)

neglegens, neglegentis, adj., careless, neglectful, relaxed

mitra, ae, f., head-dress, bonnet, ceremonial cap or diadem mitto, mittere, misi, missum, send mnemosynum, -i, n., memorial modo, adv., just, now, only recently moechus, -i, m., adulterer molestus-a-um, adj., troublesome, annoying, irksome mollis-molle, adj., soft, gentle, fine monimenta = monumenta: monumentum, -i, n., memorial morbus, -i, m., sickness, disease mordeo, mordere, momordi, morsum, bite morior, mori, mortuus sum, die

nefarius-a-um, adj., impious, abominable

nepos, nepotis, m., descendant, grandchild, nephew nequeo, nequire, nequii or nequivi, nequitum, be unable nequiquam, adv., pointlessly, in vain nescio quid, “I don’t know why,” “I don’t know something (or other)” nescio quis, someone (or other), “I don’t know who” nescio, nescire, nescivi, nescitum, not know, be ignorant of neu or neve, adv., nor, and not Nicaea, -ae, f., capital city of Bithynia Nilus, -i, m., the Nile river – 132 –

obstinatus-a-um, adj., resolute, determined, fixed

nimirum, adv., no doubt, certainly, of course, surely, clearly nimis, adv., too much, excessively

obsum, obesse, obfui, be opposed to, be against, harm

niteo, nitere, nitui, shine, be bright

obtero, obterere, obtrivi, obtritum, crush, trample

nitor, niti, nisus sum, depend on, press onward

obtingo, obtingere, obtigi, happen, occur

niveus-a-um, adj., snowy

obvius-a-um, adj., meeting with (with dative), so as to meet, in the way

noctifer, noctiferi, m., night-star nolo, nolle, nolui, not wish; (imperative with a following infinitive) “don’t”

occido, occidere, occidi, occasum, set, fall down

non nimis, adv., not particularly

oculus, -i, m., eye

non temere, adv., not lightly, not easily, not rashly

odi, odisse, osum, (defective verb) hate

norat = noverat, syncopated pluperfect active form of nosco

odium, odii, n., hatred

nosco, noscere, novi, notum, know, be acquainted with

officium, -ii, n., conscience, duty, obligation

ocellus, -i, m., eye, “jewel”

Oetaeus-a-um, adj., Oetean, Herculean offi rmo, offi rmare, offi rmavi, offi rmatum, be determined

nosti = novisti, syncopated perfect active form of nosco

olfacio, olfacere, olfeci, olfactum, smell

nostrum, of us (genitive plural of the first personal pronoun)

oliva, -ae, f., olive, olive tree

nota, -ae, f., mark, sign, note, stamp, quality

opera, -ae, f., work, deed

nothus-a-um, adj., not genuine, false, phoney, “pale”

oportet, oportere, oportuit, it is necessary

novissimus-a-um, adj., newest, last, most recent

ops, opis, f., power, help, aid

nox, noctis, f., night, darkness

optatus-a-um, adj., desirable, chosen, wished for

nubo, nubere, nupsi, nuptum, marry, be wedded to (with dative)

opto, optare, optavi, optatum, desire, wish

nugae, -arum, f., (plural) nothings, nonsense, trifles

orac(u)lum, orac(u)li, n., oracle

numerus, -i, m., meter, measure, number

Orcus, -i, m., name of the god of the underworld

nuper, adv., recently

os, oris, n., mouth, lips

Nysigena, -ae, m., born on Mount Nysa (birthplace of Bacchus)

ostento, ostentare, ostentavi, ostentatum, present to view, show, exhibit, hold out

opprimo, opprimere, oppressi, oppressum, crush

opus foret, from opus esse, (idiom) there is need of

otiosus-a-um, adj., at leisure, relaxing

O

otium, -ii, n., free time, ease, leisure

obduro, obdurare, obduravi, obduratum, persist, stick it out oblecto, oblectare, oblectavi, oblectatum, delight, please oblittero, oblitterare, oblitteravi, oblitteratum, erase oblitus-a-um, adj., forgetful obliviscor, oblivisci, oblitus sum, forget (with the genitive case) obloquor, obloqui, oblocutus sum, speak, contradict, interrupt, chide obscuro, obscurare, obscuravi, obscuratum, darken

P Padua, -ae, f., the city of Padua paenitet, paenitere, paenituit, (impersonal verb) it pains palimpsestum, -i, n., an erased and reused manuscript pallidulus-a-um, adj., rather dim, pale palma, -ae, f., palm of victory palmula, -ae, f., little oar, oar blade pango, pangere, pepigi, pactum, promise in marriage, agree – 133 –

papilla, -ae, f., breast

peruro, perurere, perussi, perustum, burn up

papyrum, -i, n., papyrus

pervenio, pervenire, perveni, perventum, reach, come to

papyrus, -i, m./f., papyrus

pervigilo, pervigilare, pervigilavi, pervigilatum, stay awake all night

par est, (an idiom) it is proper parco, parcere, peperci, parsum, refrain from, spare

pervinco, pervincere, pervici, pervictum, defeat completely, surpass

parens, parentis, m./f., parent pareo, parere, parui, obey, yield to (with dative)

pervolvo, pervolvere, pervolvi, pervolutum, keep reading or turning over

pars, partis, f., part, share

pes, pedis, m., foot, foot of a sail, leg of a couch

Parthi, -orum, m., Parthians, people living in Parthia

pestilentia, -ae, f., plague, sickness, unwholesome atmosphere

passer, passeris, m., sparrow

pestis, -is, f., disease, plague

pateo, patere, patui, be open, lie open, stand open

petitor, petitoris, m., candidate

paternus-a-um, adj., paternal patior, pati, passus sum, allow, permit

phaselus, -i, m., a Greek word meaning a kind of ship

patronus/a, -i/ae, m./f., patron

Phrygii campi = Bithyni campi

paulum, adv., a little while

pignus, pignoris, n., pledge, token

peccatum, -i, n., slip, fault, mistake

pinguis-pingue, adj., rich, lavish, splendid

pello, pellere, pepuli, pulsum, beat, strike, push

pinus, -i, f., pine

penetro, penetrare, penetravi, penetratum, enter, get to, penetrate

pipio, pipiare or pipire, pipiavi, pipiatum, chirp

penitus, adv., internally, deep within

plenus-a-um, adj., full of (with genitive)

perditus-a-um, adj., ruined, lost, reckless, desperate, hopeless, abandoned

plumbum, -i, n., lead

perdo, perdere, perdidi, perditum, destroy, ruin, lose utterly

poema, poematis, n., poem (a Greek noun)

Piraeus, -i, m., Piraeus, the port of Athens

plus, pluris, adj., more polluo, polluere, pollui, pollutum, defile, soil, violate

peregrinus-a-um, adj., foreign perennis-perenne, adj., unending, enduring

pondus, ponderis, n., weight, burden

pereo, perire, perii, peritum, be desperately in love, perish, die perfero, perferre, pertuli, perlatum, carry through, endure, put up

pono, ponere, posui, positum, make, serve, lay down porro, adv., further, on and on

perhibeo, perhibere, perhibui, perhibitum, assert, call, say

possum, posse, potui, be able

periurium, periurii, n., perjury, lie

postilla, adv., afterwards

perlucidulus-a-um, adj., transparent

postremus-a-um, adj., final, last

permulceo, permulcere, permulsi, permulsum, rub, soothe

pote = potest

pernicies, -ei, f., ruin

potius, adv., rather, more

perniciter, adv., nimbly, swiftly, quickly

prae, adv./prep., before

pernix, pernicis, adj., swift

praeceps, praecipitis, adj., head first

pernumero, pernumerare, pernumeravi, pernumeratum, count up

praeceptum, -i, n., order, command

posthac, adv., in the future, hereafter

potis-pote, adj., able, capable

perpetior, perpeti, perpessus sum, endure, permit, allow

praegestio, praegestire, be very eager, desire praeopto, praeoptare, praeoptavi, praeoptatum, prefer

– 134 –

praeporto, praeportare, praeportavi, praeportatum, manifest, carry before

Q quaero, quaerere, quaesivi, quaesitum, seek, ask

praeruptus-a-um, adj., sheer, steep praesertim, adv., particularly, especially

quaeso, quaesere, quaesivi, quaesitum, seek, “I beg” or “please!”

praesto, adv., at hand, ready

qualis, -e, adj., just as, just like

praetereo, praeterire, praeterii, praeteritum, pass by, surpass

qualiscumque-qualecumque, (interrogative/ indefinite adjective) of whatever kind

praetor, praetoris, m., governor

qualubet or qualibet, adv., everywhere, where you will, in any way you please

praetrepidans, praetrepidantis, adj., excited, eager, very nervous

quam, adv., as, than

pratum, -i, n., meadow

quam primum, adv., as soon as possible

priscus-a-um, adj., ancient, pristine, venerable

quamvis, adv., however, as much as you please

probe, adv., well, properly, correctly

quamvis, conj., although

prodo, prodere, prodidi, proditum, give up, surrender, abandon, betray

quandoquidem, conj., in as much as, since indeed, seeing that

proficiscor, proficisci, profectus sum, set out, advance, walk away

quantus-a-um, (interrogative adjective) how much?

progenies, progeniei, f., offspring

quare, adv., for what reason, why, on account of which thing, therefore

progigno, progignere, progenui, progenitum, beget, produce

quasso, quassare, quassavi, quassatum, keep shaking or tossing

pronus-a-um, adj., bending, leaning forward, headlong, downwards

quatio, quatere, quassi, quassum, shake

prope, adv., near propono, proponere, proposui, propositum, promise

queo, quire, quivi, quitum, be able, can quercus, -us, f., oak querella, -ae, f., lamentation, complaint

Propontis, Propontidis, f., the Propontis, the Sea of Marmora

questus, -us, m., complaint, lament

proprius-a-um, adj., proper

quia, conj., because

prosilio, prosilire, prosilui, jump up

quicumque-quaecumque-quodcumque, (indefinite adjective) whatever

prospecto, prospectare, prospectavi, prospectatum, look out, view prospectus, -us, m., sight, view prosperus-a-um, adj., fortunate, favorable, successful

qui-quae-quod, (relative pronoun) who, which

quin, (interrogative particle) why not? quinam-quaenam-quodnam, inter. adj., what (a strong interrogative) quingenti-ae-a, adj., five hundred

prosum, prodesse, profui, be useful, be profitable (with dative)

quis = aliquis, (indefinite pronoun) someone, anybody

pudicus-a-um, adj., chaste, pure

quisnam-quaenam-quidnam, (interrogative pronoun/adjective) what

puerpera, -ae, f., woman in childbirth pumex, pumicis, m./f., lava-stone, pumice puriter, adv., cleanly, chastely, purely purpureus-a-um, adj., deep red purus-a-um, adj., pure, white puto, putare, putavi, putatum, think, consider

quisquam-quaequam-quidquam, (indefinite pronoun) anyone, someone quisquis-quaequae-quidquid, (indefinite relative pronoun) whoever, whatever quivis-quaevis-quodvis, (indefinite adjective) any, any at all quiviscumque, quaeviscumque, quodviscumque, adj., any whatsoever

– 135 –

quoniam, conj., since now, whereas

respergo, respergere, respersi, respersum, sprinkle, stain

quot, (interrogative adverb) how many

restituo, restituere, restitui, restitutum, restore

quovis pignore contendere, (an idiom) bet anything upon

retraho, retrahere, retraxi, retractum, draw back revertor, reverti, reversus sum, make one’s way back, return

R

Rhodus, -i, f., island of Rhodes

radicitus, adv., by the roots, utterly

Rhoeteus-a-um, adj., of the promontory of Rhoeteum, near Troy

radix, radicis, f., root rarus-a-um, adj., scarce, rare, uncommon

rideo, ridere, risi, risum, laugh, smile

ratio, rationis, f., reason

rixa, rixae, f., brawl, quarrel

ratis, -is, f., boat

robur, roboris, n., oak, here in the sense of tree trunk

recipio, recipere, recepi, receptum, welcome into one’s house

rubeo, rubere, rubui, be red, “bloodshot”

reconditus-a-um, adj., hidden, concealed

ruber-rubra-rubrum, adj., red, ruddy

recordor, recordari, recordatus sum, recall

rubor, ruboris, n., blush

rector, rectoris, m., master, here Zeus/Jupiter

rudens, rudentis, m., rope, (in the plural) rigging

rectus-a-um, adj., right, straight-backed, well built

rumor, rumoris, m., gossip, rumor

recuro, recurare, recuravi, recuratum, refresh, restore to health

rumpo, rumpere, rupi, ruptum, break, burst

reddo, reddere, reddidi, redditum, return, give back

rus, ruris, n., the country, fields

rursus, adv., again rusticus-a-um, adj., rural, rustic

redeo, redire, redivi or redii, reditum, return redimio, redimire, redimii, redimitum, crown, encircle

S

redux, reducis, adj., brought back, returned

Sabinus-a-um, adj., Sabine, of or belonging to the Sabines

refectus-a-um, adj., refreshed refero, referre, rett uli, relatum, transfer, carry, bring back

sacculus, -i, m., little bag, purse, wallet, knapsack

reflecto, reflectere, reflexi, reflexum, bend back, turn back, turn about

saec(u)lum, -i, n., age, generation, era

sacer-sacra-sacrum, adj., sacred, holy, revered saepio, saepire, saepsi, saeptum, fence in, enclose

rego, regere, rexi, rectum, direct, guide, steer religo, religare, religavi, religatum, moor, tie up

Saetabus-a-um, adj., Saetaban, belonging to Saetabis, a town in Spain

remuneror, remunerari, remuneratus sum, repay, reward

Sagae, -arum, m., Scythians sagittifer-sagittifera-sagittiferum, adj., arrow bearing

renovo, renovare, renovavi, renovatum, renew, reawaken, revive

sal, salis, m., salt, elegance, spice, wit

repente, adv., suddenly, at that instant reperio, reperire, repperi, repertum, find, get, procure, realize, devise, discover

salaputium, -ii, n., midget salsus-a-um, adj., salty, witty, acute, sharp

requiesco, requiescere, requievi, requietum, rest, repose, find rest

saltem, adv., at least, in any event

requiro, requirere, requisivi, requisitum, look for, search for, seek

salus, salutis, f., safety

saltus, saltus, m., forest

resono, resonare, resonavi, resound, echo

salveo, salvere, salui, be healthy; imperative means “hail,” “hello”

respecto, respectare, respectavi, respectatum, look back upon

sane, adv., naturally, (with negatives) really, at all, fully

– 136 –

sanus-a-um, adj., sane, rational; free from love

servio, servire, servivi, be a servant or slave to

sapio, sapere, sapivi, have a sense of, have knowledge of, be wise, have a taste of

severus-a-um, adj., harsh, conservative, strict, austere

Sapphicus-a-um, adj., of or belonging to Sappho, female poet of ancient Greece

sevoco, sevocare, sevocavi, sevocatum, separate, call away

satio, satiare, satiavi, satiatum, satisfy, fill

sibilus-a-um, adj., hissing

satis superque, enough and more than enough

siccus-a-um, adj., dry

Satrachus, -i, m., the Satrachus, a river in Cyprus

sicine, adv., thus? , so?, is this the way?

Saturnalia, Saturnaliorum, n., festival of the Saturnalia

sicut, conj., just as

saturo, saturare, saturavi, saturatum, fill, satisfy

Silenus, -i, m., a Silenus, one of a class of woodspirits associated with Bacchus

Satyrus, -i, m., a Satyr, a forest god associated with Bacchus and having goat’s feet

sidus, sideris, n., star

silesco, silescere, be silent, grow quiet

saxeus-a-um, adj., rocky

simul ac, conj., as soon as

scelestus-a-um, adj., wretched, unfortunate

sincerus-a-um, adj., sound, whole, clean, untainted, sincere

scilicet, adv., for sure, of course scitus-a-um, adj., knowing, shrewd, witty

singuli-ae-a, adj., one at a time, individually, one by one

scomber, scombri, m., mackerel

singultus, -us, m., sob, gasp

scortillum, diminutive of scortum, -i, n., prostitute, harlot

sino, sinere, sivi, situm, let, permit, allow

scrinium, scrinii, n., a cylindrical box or case for letters or scrolls

sisto, sistere, stiti, statum, present, produce

scriptum, -i, n., writing, book

sol, solis, m., sun

scurra, -ae, m., jester, comedian, man-about-town

solaciolum, solacioli, n., a little comfort or solace

Scylla, -ae, f., Scylla, a monster found in the Straits of Messina

soleo, solere, solitus sum, be accustomed to, be used to

secedo, secedere, secessi, secessum, withdraw, retire

solus-a-um, adj., only, alone, forsaken

scio, scire, scivi, scitum, know

sinus, -us, m., bay, curve, fold of a toga, lap sodalis, -is, m., comrade, companion, friend

sector, sectari, sectatus sum, chase, follow, run after

solvo, solvere, solvi, solutum, dissolve, break up, free

secundus-a-um, adj., favorable, good

sonitus, -us, m., sound

semel, adv., once

sono, sonare, sonui, sonitum, sound

senecta, -ae, f., old age

sordidus-a-um, adj., in poor taste, crude

seneo, senere, senui, be old, age

sospes, sospitis, adj., safe, unhurt

senesco, senescere, senui, grow old, wither, become feeble

sospito, sospitare, sospitavi, sospitatum, preserve, protect

senex, senis, m., old man, aging man

spinosos-a-um, adj., thorny, difficult

sepelio, sepelire, sepelivi, sepultum, bury

sponsus, -i, m., bridegroom, lover

septemgeminus-a-um, sevenfold, seven-throated

stagnum, -i, n., standing or still water

Septimille, diminutive, vocative of Septimius sepulcrum, -i, n., tomb, burial ground

statuo, statuere, statui, statutum, determine, conclude, judge

Serapis, Serapis, m., Egyptian god of healing

sterno, sternere, sternui, sneeze, sputter

sermo, sermonis, m., conversation

stipendium, stipendii, n., tribute

sero, serere, sevi, satum, sow

strophium, strophii, n., breast-band

– 137 –

suavior (= savior), suaviari, suaviatus sum, kiss

tantum, adv., merely, only

suavis-suave, adj., pleasant, charming, agreeable, sweet, delightful

tantus-a-um, adj., so much, so great

sublevo, sublevare, sublevavi, sublevatum, lift up

taurus, -i, m., bull

subrepo, subrepere, subrepsi, subreptum, creep up to, steal upon

Taurus, Tauri, m., Taurus, a mountain range in southern Asia Minor

subter, prep. (with the ablative), below, underneath

tegmen, tegminis, n., covering

subtilis, -e, adj., finely woven, dainty, delicate

tego, tegere, texi, tectum, cover, protect

suburbanus-a-um, adj., suburban (situated near a city)

telum, -i, n., shaft, barb, sword

tardipes, tardipedis, adj., slow-footed, limping

tempestas, tempestatis, f., time, the weather, storm

sudarium, -ii, n., handkerchief, napkin sudo, sudare, sudavi, sudatum, sweat, perspire

tenebrae, -arum, f., (plural) darkness (of the underworld)

Suffenus, -i, m., Suffenus, a poet disliked by Catullus

tenebricosus-a-um, adj., dark, obscure, murky

sumptuosus-a-um, adj., very expensive, costly, lavish, extravagant

tener-tenera-tenerum, adj., delicate, tender

teneo, tenere, tenui, tentum, hold, keep

supplex, supplicis, adj., (substantive) a supplicant

tenuis-tenue, adj., fine, delicate, thin, tender

supplicium, supplicii, n., a bowing down, petition, punishment

tepefacto, tepefactare, tepefactavi, tepefactatum, warm, make warm, be in the habit of warming

suppono, supponere, supposui, suppositum, put under

tepor, teporis, m., gentle warmth, lukewarmness

suopte = suo [from suus-a-um + pte (enclitic)]

tete, intensive form of te

sura, -ae, f., calf (of the leg)

thiasus, -i, m., a band of dancers

surripio, surripere, surripui, surreptum, snatch, pilfer from

Thracius-a-um, adj., of or belonging to Thrace

suscipio, suscipere, suscepi, susceptum, take up, undertake, pledge

Tiburs, Tiburtis, adj., of or belonging to Tibur (Tivoli)

suspendo, suspendere, suspendi, suspensum, hang

tintino, tintinare, tintinavi, ring, tingle

suspicor, suspicari, suspicatus sum, suspect, suppose, conjecture

torpeo, torpere, torpui, be numb, be stiff

teres, teretis, adj., elegant, shapely

Thyonianus, -i, m., son of Thyone, i.e., Bacchus

tollo, tollere, sustuli, sublatum, raise, lift torpor, torporis, m., numbness, grogginess

suspiro, suspirare, suspiravi, suspiratum, take a deep breath, heave a sigh

torreo, torrere, torrui, tostum, roast, bake, burn

sustollo, sustollere, raise, lift up

totidem, adj., (indeclinable) just as many

Syrtis, -is, f., the Syrtis, a sand bank located on the Gulf of Sidra in North Africa

trabs, trabis, f., plank, beam trado, tradere, tradidi, traditum, hand down, hand over, entrust trecenti-ae-a, adj., three hundred

T

tremulus-a-um, adj., rippling, trembling

tabella, -ae, f., board, writing tablet

tres-tres-tria, adj., three

taceo, tacere, tacui, taciturn, be silent, still

tristis-triste, adj., sad, miserable, mournful

taedet, taedere, taeduit/taesum est, it irks/annoys/ wearies

truculentus-a-um, adj., wild, grim

taeter-taetra-taetrum, adj., foul, repulsive, offensive

trux, trucis, adj., savage, grim, fierce, wild

talentum, -i, n., a talent, a sum of money

tueor, tueri, tuitus sum, watch, see, look at

tandem, adv., finally

tumidus-a-um, adj., swollen, long-winded

tango, tangere, tetigi, tactum, touch, reach

tumulo, tumulare, tumulavi, tumulatum, bury – 138 –

tundo, tundere, tutudi, tunsum, beat, pound, hammer tunica, -ae, f., covering

V vadum, -i, n., sea, water, shoal

turbo, turbinis, m., a whirlwind, tornado

vae, interj., alas, woe (an interjection which governs the accusative or dative)

turgidulus-a-um, adj., swollen

vagor, vagari, vagatus sum, wander

turpis, -e, adj., base, bad, shameful

vagus-a-um, adj., wandering, rambling, fickle

tussis, tussis, f., cough

valde, adv., very, intensely

tute, intensive form of tu

valeo, valere, valui, be strong, be healthy vanesco, vanescere, vanescui, come to nothing, disappear, pass away

U uber, uberis, adj., fruitful

vanus-a-um, adj., safe, unhurt

udus-a-um, adj., wet

vario, variare, variavi, variatum, vary

ulciscor, ulcisci, ultus sum, avenge oneself on, punish

varius-a-um, adj., different

ullus-a-um, adj., any

Vatinianus-a-um, adj., pertaining to Publius Vatinius

ulmus, -i, f., elm tree

vecors, vecordis, adj., senseless, mad, insane

ultimus-a-um, adj., last, final, farthest, edge of

vehemens, vehementis, adj., violent, impetuous

ultro, adv., willingly

veho, vehere, vexi, vectum, carry, transport

umbilicus, -i, m., center dowels on which a book was rolled

velo, velare, velavi, velatum, clothe, veil, conceal

una, adv., together

velut, adv., just as

unanimus-a-um, adj., of one mind, loving, faithful

vemens = vehemens

unctus-a-um, adj., greasy, “slick”

venenum, -i, n., poison

unguentum, -i, n., ointment, perfume

venor, venari, venatus sum, hunt

unguis, -is, m., fingernail

venter, ventris, m., stomach (metonymy for greed or appetite)

velum, -i, n., sail

unicus-a-um, adj., one and only

ventito, ventitare, ventitavi, ventitatum, keep on going, keep following

unus-a-um, adj., alone, one urbanus-a-um, adj., of the city/town, sophisticated, “city slicker”

ventosus-a-um, adj., windy, fickle, inconstant

urgeo, urgere, ursi, press, push, force, anger

venustas, venustatis, f., beauty, charm

uro, urere, ussi, ustum, burn, burn up

venustus-a-um, adj., beautiful, charming, attractive

urtica, -ae, f., nettle (an herb)

ver, veris, n., spring, spring-time, youth

usque, adv., continuously, without a break

vere, adv., truly

ustulo, ustulare, ustulavi, ustulatum, burn a little, scorch

vernus-a-um, adj., of spring

ut, conj., as (followed by the indicative mood)

versiculus, -i, m., small verse

uter-utra-utrum, adj., which one of two

verso, versare, versavi, versatum, turn

uterque-utraque-utrumque, adj., each, both

versus, -us, m., line of writing

utor, uti, usus sum, use (with ablative)

verum, adv., in fact, truly

utpote, adv., as is possible, seeing that, in as much as

verus-a-um, adj., true, real

utrum, adv., whether

Vesper, Vesperis, m., evening-star

uva, -ae, f., grape

vestigium, vestigii, n., footstep

Verona, -ae, f., the city of Verona

vesanus-a-um, adj., not of sound mind, insane

– 139 –

vetulus-a-um, adj., old, poor old

viso, visere, visi, visum, see, behold

vetus, veteris, adj., old

vitis, vitis, f., vine, branch

vexo, vexare, vexavi, vexatum, trouble, harass, toss violently

vivo, vivere, vixi, victum, live

vibro, vibrare, vibravi, vibratum, brandish, shake, flick

volito, volitare, volitavi, volitatum, fly about, flutter, move quickly

vicem, accusative form of a defective noun for “change,” used adverbially it means “for”

volo, velle, volui, wish, want

vix, adv., scarcely, just now

voluntas, voluntatis, f., wish, will

viduus-a-um, adj., barren, destitute

voluptas, voluptatis, f., pleasure

vigesco, vigescere, vigui, gain strength, become lively/vigorous

voro, vorare, voravi, voratum, swallow, devour

vigilo, vigilare, vigilavi, vigilatum, be on watch, on guard

votum, -i, n., solemn vow

vilis-vile, adj., vile, cheap

vulgus, -i, n., common crowd, masses, people

voveo, vovere, vovi, votum, vow

vincio, vincire, vinxi, vinctum, bind

Z

vindex, vindicis, m./f., protector, deliverer, avenger violo, violare, violavi, violatum, harm, injure

Zephyrus, -i, m., west wind

virginitas, virginitatis, f., maidenhood, virginity

zona, -ae, f., girdle

virgo, virginis, f., maiden, virgin

– 140 –