Part 11 (1/2)

Prithee Catullus, why delay thine death? Nonius the tumour is seated in the curule chair, Vatinius forswears himself for consul's rank: prithee Catullus, why delay thine death?

LIII.

Risi nescioquem modo e corona, Qui, c.u.m mirifice Vatiniana Meus crimina Calvos explica.s.set, Admirans ait haec ma.n.u.sque tollens, 'Di magni, salaputium disertum!' 5

LIII.

A JEST CONCERNING CALVUS.

I laughed at one 'mid Forum-crowd unknown Who, when Vatinius' crimes in wondrous way Had by my Calvus been explained, exposed, His hand upraising high admiring cried ”Great G.o.ds! the loquent little Doodle-diddle!” 5

I laughed at I know not whom in the crowded court who, when with admirable art Vatinius' crimes my Calvus had set forth, with hands uplifted and admiring mien thus quoth ”Great G.o.ds, the fluent little Larydoodle!”

LIIII.

Othonis caput oppidost pusillum * * * *

Neri rustica semilauta crura, Subtile et leve peditum Libonis.

Si non omnia displicere vellem Tibi et Fuficio seni recocte 5

LIIIIb.

Irascere iterum meis iambis Inmerentibus, unice imperator.

LIIII.

TO JULIUS CaeSAR. (?)

The head of Otho, puniest of pates * * * *

The rustic half-washt shanks of Nerius And Libo's subtle silent fizzling-farts.

I wish that leastwise these should breed disgust In thee and old Fuficius, rogue twice-cookt. 5

LIIIIb.

Again at these mine innocent iamb-lines Wi' wrath be wrothest; unique Emperor!

Otho's head is paltry past all phrase * * * the uncouth semi-soaped shanks of Nerius, the slender soundless fizzlings of Libo * * * if not all things I wish would displease thee and Fuficius, the white-headed and green-tailed.

Anew thou shalt be enraged at my harmless iambics, emperor unique.

LV.

Oramus, si forte non molestumst, Demostres, ubi sint tuae tenebrae.

Te campo quaesivimus minore, Te in circo, te in omnibus libellis, Te in templo summi Iovis sacrato. 5 In Magni simul ambulatione Femellas omnes, amice, prendi, Quas vultu vidi tamen serenas.

A, vel te sic ipse flagitabam, 'Camerium mihi, pessimae puellae.' 10 Quaedam inquit, nudum sinum reducens, 'En heic in roseis latet papillis.'

Sed te iam ferre Herculei labos est. 13 Non custos si fingar ille Cretum, 23 Non si Pegaseo ferar volatu, Non Ladas ego pinnipesve Perseus, 25 Non Rhesi nivea citaque biga: Adde huc plumipedes volatilesque, Ventorumque simul require cursum: Quos cunctos, Cameri, mihi dicares, Defessus tamen omnibus medullis 30 Et multis langoribus peresus Essem te mihi, amice, quaeritando. 32 Tanto ten fastu negas, amice? 14 Dic n.o.bis ubi sis futurus, ede Audacter, conmitte, crede lucei.

Num te lacteolae tenent puellae?

Si linguam clauso tenes in ore, Fructus proicies amoris omnes: Verbosa gaudet Venus loquella. 20 Vel si vis, licet obseres palatum, Dum vostri sim particeps amoris.

LV.

OF HIS FRIEND CAMERIUS.