The Poems and Fragments of Catullus Part 8

What? shall you then at early noon carousing 5 Lap in luxury? they, my jolly comrades, Search the streets on a quest of invitation?

XLVIII.

If, Juventius, I the grace win ever Still on beauteous honied eyes to kiss thee, I would kiss them a million, yet a million.

Yea, nor count me to win the full attainment, Not, tho' heavier e'en than ears at harvest, 5 Fall my kisses, a wealthy crop delightful.

XLIX.

Greatest speaker of any born a Roman, Marcus Tullius, all that are, that have been, That shall ever in after-years be famous;

Thanks superlative unto thee Catullus Renders, easily last among the poets. 5

He as easily last among the poets As thou surely the first among the pleaders.

L.

1.

Dear Lucinius, yestereve we linger'd Scrawling fancies, a hundred, in my tablets, Wits in combat; a treaty this between us.

Scribbling drolleries each of us together Launched one arrowy metre and another, 5 Tenders jocular o'er the merry wine-cup.

2.

So quite sorely with all your humour heated Gay Lucinius, I that eve departed.

Food my misery could not any lighten, Sleep nor quiet upon my eyes descended. 10

Still untamable o'er the couch did I then Turn and tumble, in haste to see the day-light, Hear your prattle again, again be with you.

3.

Then, when weary with all the worry, numb'd, dead, Sank my body, upon the bed reposing, 15 This, O humorous heart, did I, a poem Write, my tedious anguish all revealing.

O beware then of hardihood; a lover's Plea for charity, dear my friend, reject not: What if Nemesis haply claim repayment? 20 She is tyrannous. O beware offending.

LI.

He to me like unto the G.o.ds appeareth, He, if I dare speak it, ascends above them, Face to face who toward thee attently sitting Gazes or hears thee

Lovely in sweet laughter; alas within me 5 Every lost sense falleth away for anguish; When as I look'd on thee, upon my lips no Whisper abideth, Straight my tongue froze, Lesbia; soon a subtle Fire thro' each limb streameth adown; with inward 10 Sound the full ears tinkle, on either eye night's Canopy darkens.

Ease alone, Catullus, alone afflicts thee; Ease alone breeds error of heady riot; Ease hath entomb'd princes of old renown and 15 Cities of honour.

LII.

Enough, Catullus! how can you delay to die?

If in the curule chair a hump sits, Nonius; A would-be consul lies in hope, Vatinius; Enough, Catullus! how can you delay to die?

LIII.

How I laughed at a wag amid the circle!

He, when Calvus in high denunciation Of Vatinius had declaim'd divinely, Hands uplifted as in supreme amazement, Cried 'G.o.d bless us! a wordy c.o.c.kalorum!' 5

LIV.

Otho's head is a very dwarf; a rustic's Shanks has Herius, only semi-cleanly; Libo's airs to a fume of art refine them.

. . . . . . . . 5 _Yet thou flee'st not above my keen iambics_.

[_So may destiny doom me quite to silence_]

As I care not if every line offend thee 10 And Sufficius, age in youth's revival.

Thou shalt kindle at innocent iambics, Mighty general, once again returning.

LV.

1.

List, I beg, provided you're in humour, Speak your privacy, show what alley veils you.

You I sought on Campus, I, the lesser, You on Circus, in all the bills but you, sir.

You with father Jove in holy temple. 5 Then, where flocks the parade to Magnus' arches,

Friend, I hail'd each lady promenader, Each, I found, did face me quite sedately.

2.

What? they steal, I loudly cried protesting, My Camerius? out upon the wenches! 10 Answer'd one and lightly bared a bosom, 'See! what bowery roses; here he hides him.'

Yea 'twould task e'en Hercules to bear you, You so scornful, friend, in your refusing.

3.

Not tho' I were warder of the Cretans, 15 Not tho' Pegasus on his airy pinion,

Perseus feathery-footed, I a Ladas, Rhesus' chariot yok'd to snowy coursers, Add each feathery sandal, every flying Power, ask fleetness of all the winds of heaven, 20 Mine, Camerius, and to me devoted; Yet with drudgery sorely spent should I, yet

Worn, outworn with languor unto languor Faint, O friend, in an empty quest to find you.