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Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi
multum lusimus in tuis 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 poem 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. |
Yesterday, Licinius, with nothing to do
we had much sport on your tablets,
having agreed to enjoy ourselves:
each of us writing pretty verses
took his pleasure now in this metre, now in that,
exchanging sallies amid jesting and drinking.
And then I came away from this so excited
by your wit and pleasantry, Licinius,
that neither could food satisfy my poor body
nor sleep veil my eyes in peace,
but with uncontrollable delirium I tossed
all over the bed, longing to see the dawn,
that with you I might talk, that with you I might be.
But when my limbs were worn out with fatigue
and lay half-dead upon the bed,
I composed this poem for you, my dear friend,
that from it you might learn my suffering.
Now beware of being haughty and scorning
my entreaty, I beg you, bosom pal,
lest Nemesis claim a penalty from you.
She's an impetuous goddess: beware of offending her.
*This elegant English translation is that of G.P. Goold, and can be found
in his book, Catullus, which was published in 1983 by Duckworth
Press.
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