Part 10 (2/2)

Nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras, Oramus, cave despuas, ocelle, Ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te. 20 Est vemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.

L.

TO HIS FRIEND LICINIUS.

Idly (Licinius!) we our yesterday, Played with my tablets much as pleased us play, In mode becoming souls of dainty strain.

Inditing verses either of us twain Now in one measure then in other line 5 We rang the changes amid wit and wine.

Then fared I homewards by thy fun so fired And by thy jests (Licinius!) so inspired, Nor food my hapless appet.i.te availed Nor sleep in quiet rest my eyelids veiled, 10 But o'er the bedstead wild in furious plight I tossed a-longing to behold the light, So I might talk wi' thee, and be wi' thee.

But when these wearied limbs from labour free Were on my couchlet strewn half-dead to lie, 15 For thee (sweet wag!) this poem for thee wrote I, Whereby thou mete and weet my cark and care.

Now be not over-bold, nor this our prayer Outspit thou (apple of mine eyes!): we pray Lest doom thee Nemesis hard pain repay:-- 20 She's a dire G.o.ddess, 'ware thou cross her way.

Yestreen, Licinius, in restful day, much mirthful verse we flashed upon my tablets, as became us, men of fancy. Each jotting versicles in turn sported first in this metre then in that, exchanging mutual epigrams 'midst jokes and wine. But I departed thence, afire, Licinius, with thy wit and drolleries, so that food was useless to my wretched self; nor could sleep close mine eyes in quiet, but all o'er the bed in restless fury did I toss, longing to behold daylight that with thee I might speak, and again we might be together. But afterwards, when my limbs, weakened by my restless labours, lay stretched in semi-death upon the bed, this poem, O jocund one, I made for thee, from which thou mayst perceive my dolour. Now 'ware thee of presumptuousness, and our pleadings 'ware thee of rejecting, we pray thee, eye-babe of ours, lest Nemesis exact her dues from thee. She is a forceful G.o.ddess; 'ware her wrath.

LI.

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 5 Eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te, Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi * * * *

Lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus Flamma demanat, sonitu suopte 10 Tintinant aures geminae, teguntur Lumina nocte.

LIb.

Otium, Catulle, tibi molestumst: Otio exultas nimiumque gestis. 15 Otium et reges prius et beatas Perdidit urbes.

LI.

TO LESBIA.

Peer of a G.o.d meseemeth he, Nay pa.s.sing G.o.ds (and that can be!) Who all the while sits facing thee Sees thee and hears Thy low sweet laughs which (ah me!) daze 5 Mine every sense, and as I gaze Upon thee (Lesbia!) o'er me strays * * * *

My tongue is dulled, my limbs adown Flows subtle flame; with sound its own 10 Rings either ear, and o'er are strown Mine eyes with night.

LIb.

Ease has thy lot, Catullus, crost, Ease gladdens thee at heaviest cost, 15 Ease killed the Kings ere this and lost The tallest towns.

He to me to be peer to a G.o.d doth seem, he, if such were lawful, to o'er-top the G.o.ds, who sitting oft a-front of thee doth gaze on thee, and doth listen to thine laughter lovely, which doth s.n.a.t.c.h away from sombre me mine every sense: for instant falls my glance on thee, Lesbia, naught is left to me [of voice], but my tongue is numbed, a keen-edged flame spreads through my limbs, with sound self-caused my twin ears sing, and mine eyes are enwrapped with night.

Sloth, O Catullus, to thee is hurtful: in sloth beyond measure dost thou exult and pa.s.s thy life. Sloth hath erewhile ruined rulers and gladsome cities.

LII.

Quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori?

Sella in curuli struma Nonius sedet, Per consulatum peierat Vatinius: Quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori?

LII.

CATULLUS TO HIMSELF.

What is't, Catullus? Why delay to out die?

That Wen hight Nonius sits in curule chair, For Consuls.h.i.+p Vatinius false doth swear; What is't, Catullus? Why delay to out die?

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