latinlizard

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 50

Obliviscor iam iniurias tuas, Clodia, depono memoriam doloris mei;

Now I am forgetting the wrongs of your doing, Clodia, I'm putting aside the memory of my pain;

quae abs te crudeliter in meos me absente facta sunt, neglego;

those things you did cruelly to my family in my absence, I will pass over;

ne sint haec in te dicta, quae dixi.

so that these things were not against you, that I have said.

Sed ex te ipsa requiro, quoniam et crimen accusatores abs te

But out of you yourself I ask, since the prosecutors say that they have the charge from you

et testem eius criminis te ipsam dicunt se habere.

and that you yourself are to have a witness of this charge

Si quae mulier sit eius modi,

if there should be any woman of this manner,

qualem ego paulo ante descripsi, tui dissimilis,

of such a kind that I shortly previously described, unlike you,

vita institutoque meretricio,

or established in a life of harlotry, cum hac aliquid adulescentem hominem habuisse rationis

with a young man considering some relations with this woman

num tibi perturpe aut perflagitiosum esse videatur?

surely to you would it not seem to be thoroughly disgraceful and shameful

Ea si tu non es, sicut ego malo,

if you are not that woman, just as I prefer,

quid est, quod obiciant Caelio?

what is it, which they throw in the teeth of Caelius?

Sin eam te volunt esse,

But if they want you to be the one,

quid est, cur nos crimen hoc,

what is it, why of this crime should we,

si tu contemnis, pertimescamus?

if you despise it, fear it?

Quare nobis da viam rationemque defensionis.

So give us a path and method for defence.

Aut enim pudor tuus defendet

For either your modesty will defend

nihil a M. Caelio petulantius esse factum,

that nothing by Caelius is done more proudly,

aut impudentia et huic et ceteris

or you will shameless give both to him and the rest

magnam ad se defendendum facultatem dabit.

a great ability for the purpose of defending themselves.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 49

Si quae non nupta mulier domum suam patefecerit omnium cupiditati palamque sese in meretricia vita collocarit,

If an unmarried woman opens her house to all men's desires, and publically leads the life of a courtesan;

virorum alienissimorum conviviis uti instituerit,

if she decides to go to dinner with strange men;

si hoc in urbe, si in hortis, si in Baiarum illa celebritate faciat,

if she does this in this city, in these gardens, if amid all the crowds at Baiae;

si denique ita sese gerat non incessu solum,

if in fact, in short she behaves in such a manner not only by her approach,

sed ornatu atque comitatu, non flagrantia oculorum, non libertate sermonum, sed etiam complexu, osculatione, actis, navigatione, conviviis,

but also by her style of dress, the freedom of her conversation, but also by embracing men, by kissing them at water parties and banquets,

ut non solum meretrix, sed etiam proterva meretrix procaxque videatur:

she is not only seen as a harlot, but a very insolent and bold harlot.

cum hac si qui adulescens forte fuerit, utrum hic tibi, L. Herenni, adulter an amator,

If by chance a young man was with this woman, would you, Lucius Herennius, think her to be a cheater or a lover?

expugnare pudicitiam an explere libidinem voluisse videatur?

Would you think she wanted to ravage her chastity, or satisfy her passion?

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 48

Verum si quis est, qui etiam meretriciis amoribus interdictum iuventuti putet,

Indeed if there is anyone, who thinks that young men should be prohibited from affairs with prostitutes,

est ille quidem valde severus (negare non possum),

he is indeed very strict (i cannot deny this)

sed abhorret non modo ab huius saeculi licentia,

but he shudders from not only the license of this age,

verum etiam a maiorum consuetudine atque concessis.

indeed even the customs and indulgences of our ancestors

Quando enim hoc non factitatum est, quando reprehensum,

For when was this not done a lot? When was this faulty,

quando non permissum, quando denique fuit,

when was this not permitted, and when finally was it,

ut, quod licet, non liceret?

that this thing which is allowed now was not allowed?

Hic ego iam rem definiam, mulierem nullam nominabo;

Here i will now explain the situation, i will name no woman

tantum in medio relinquam.

I will only remain neutral.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 47

An hic, si sese isti vitae dedidisset,

Or this man, if he had devoted himself to that life,

consularem hominem admodum adulescens in iudicium vocavisset?

would he, totally a youth, have called into trial a consular man?

Hic, si laborem fugeret,

This one if he were fleeing labour,

si obstrictus voluptatibus teneretur,

if he, constricted, was being held by pleasures,

in hac acie cotidie versaretur,

on this battle line were being engaged daily,

appeteret inimicitias,

were seeking animosities,

in iudicium vocaret,

were calling into trial,

subiret periculum capitis,

were risking his head,

ipse inspectante populo Romano

would he himself, while Roman people were watching,

tot iam mensis aut de salute aut de gloria dimicaret?

struggle for so many months already either about safety or about glory?

Nihilne igitur illa vicinitas redolet,

Therefore does that vicinity smell of nothing,

nihihne hominum fama,

does the rumor of men say nothing,

nihil Baiae denique ipsae loquuntur?

does Baiae itself finally say nothing?

Illae vero non loquuntur solum,

But those not only speak,

verum etiam personant,

but also they resound

huc unius mulieris libidinem esse prolapsam

that the lust of one women has slipped out here

ut ea non modo solitudinem ac tenebras

that she not only lonliness and shadows

atque haec flagitiorum integumenta non quaerat

and these coverings up of her wrongdoings not search out

sed in turpissimis rebus frequentissima celebritate

but in the most foul activities with the biggest crowd

et clarissima luce laetetur.

and the most clear light she delights.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio

an vos aliam causam esse ullam putatis

or do you think there is any other reason

 cur in tantis praemiis eloquentiae, tanta voluptate dicendi, 

why in such great rewards of eloquence, such leisure of speaking,

tanta laude, tanta gratia, tanto honore, 

such praise, such grace, such honour,

tam sint pauci semperque fuerint qui in hoc labore versentur? 

there are so few and always have been who in this job are involved?

obterendae sunt omnes voluptates, relinquenda studia delectationis, 

as all pleasures must be trampled under foot, pursuits of delight must be left behind,

ludus, iocus, convivium, sermo paene est familiarium deserendus. 

games, jokes, partying, speaking with close friends must be deserted.

qua re in hoc genere labor offendit homines

for this reason, in this generation the work offends people

a studioque deterret, non quo aut ingenia deficiant

discouraging them from the pursuit, not because they either are lacking in talent

 aut doctrina puerilis.

or because they are lacking in boyhood training.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 45

audistis, cum pro se diceret, audistis antea,

You have heard him, when he was speaking for himself, you heard him previously,

cum accusaret (defendendi haec causa, non gloriandi eloquor);

when he was a prosecutor (I say this for the sake of defending him, not to boast);

genus orationis, facultatem, copiam sententiarum atque verborum,

his style of speech, his ability, with his abundance of thoughts and words,

quae vestra prudentia est, perspexistis;

you have experienced this with your wisdom;

atque in eo non solum ingenium elucere eius videbatis, quod saepe,

and you saw not only his talent shine forth in him, which often,

etiamsi industria non alitur, valet tamen ipsum suis viribus,

even if it is not nourished by hard work, can still be strong by its own power,

sed inerat, nisi me propter benevolentiam forte fallebat,

but it was there, unless perhaps my good will deceived me,

ratio et bonis artibus instituta et cura et vigiliis elaborata.

reason founded on good knowledge and perfected by care and vigilance.

atque scitote, iudices, eas cupiditates, quae obiciuntur Caelio,

And understand, judges, that these passions which are being thrown against Caelius,

atque haec studia, de quibus disputo, non facile in eodem homine esse posse.

and these pursuits, of which I discuss, cannot easily exist in the same man.

fieri enim non potest, ut animus libidini deditus, amore, desierio,

For it is not possible that a mind given over to pleasures, and impeded by love, desire,

cupiditate, saepe nimia copia, inopia etiam non numquam impeditus

lust, often excessive wealth, but sometimes by a lack thereof,

hoc, quicquid est, quod nos facimus in dicendo,

this, whatever it is, that we do in speaking,

quoquomodo facimus non modo agendo, verum etiam cogitando possit sustinere.

in any way we do, not only in actions, but also by thinking.

 that this mind is able to sustain this effort whatever this is which we make in speaking , whatever way we do it, not only in physical work, but also in mental effort.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 45

At vero in M. Caelio

However in the case of Caelius

dicam enim iam confidentius de studiis eius honestis,

for I may now speak more confidently about his honorable pursuits quoniam audeo quaedam fretus vestra sapientia libere confiteri

because I dare to confess certain things relying on your wisdom

nulla luxuries reperietur, nulli sumptus, nullum aes alienum,

that no luxury be found, no extravagance, no debt,

nulla conviviorum ac lustrorum libido:

no desire for banquets and debauchery:

quod quidem vitium ventris et gurgitis non modo non minuit aetas hominibus, sed etiam auget.

Indeed, age does not only diminish this vice of eating and drinking too much for men, but even increases them.

amores autem et hae deliciae, quae vocantur, quae firmiore animo praeditis diutius molestae non solent esse

But the passions and these things which are called delights, for a man provided with strength of mind are not accustomed to be troublesome for a long time

(mature enim et celeriter deflorescunt), numquam hunc occupatum impeditumque tenuerunt.

for they wither early and quickly, never have they held this man occupied and impeded.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 43

 Ac multi et nostra et patrum maiorumque memoria,

And many both in our memory and that of our fathers and our ancestors,

iudices, summi homines et clarissimi cives fuerunt,

O judges, were the most important men and the most illustrious citizens,

quorum cum adulescentiae cupiditates defervissent,

whose, when desires of youth had simmered down, remarkable virtues,

firmata iam aetate exstiterunt.

after the age had been already been strengthened,

Ex quibus neminem mihi libet nominare;

Out of whom it is pleasing for me to call no one;

vosmet vobiscum recordamini.

you yourselves recall with yourselves.

Nolo enim cuiusquam fortis atque illustris viri ne minimum quidem erratum cum maxima laude coniungere.

For I do not wish to join not even the least mistake with the greatest praise of any strong and illustrious man.

Quod si facere vellem,

And if I were wanting to do,

multi a me summi atque ornatissimi viri praedicarentur,

many highest and most distinguished men by me would be set apart,

quorum partim nimia libertas in adulescentia,

of which one part excessive liberty in youth,

partim profusa luxuries magnitudo aeris alieni,

one part profuse luxury the magnitude of debt expenses,

sumptus, libidines nominarentur,

desires would be called out,

quae multis postea virtutibus obtecta adulescentiae,

whose youth having been covered up afterwards with many virtues (anyone) of the sort who wished,

qui vellet, excusatione defenderet.

would defend with an excuse (of youth).

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 42

Quam ob rem si quem forte inveneritis,

So, if by chance you find anyone

qui aspernetur oculis pulchritudinem rerum,

who hates the sight of beautiful things,

non odore ullo, non tactu, non sapore capiatur,

whom is neither seduced by smell nor touch nor taste,

excludat auribus omnem suavitatem,

whose ears are deaf to all sweet sounds—

huic homini ego fortasse et pauci deos propitios,

such a man I, perhaps, and some few will account as favourable to the gods,

plerique autem iratos putabunt.

but most the object of its anger.

Ergo haec deserta via et inculta atque interclusa

Therefore, let us leave behind this abandoned and neglected track

iam frondibus et virgultis relinquatur;

now blocked by branches and undergrowth;

detur aliquid aetati;

let some liberty be made to mature;

sit adulescentia liberior; non omnia voluptatibus denegentur;

let youth be more free; let not pleasures always be denied;

non semper superet vera illa et derecta ratio;

let not that striaght and rigid reason always prevail;

vincat aliquando cupiditas voluptasque rationem,

let desire and pleasure sometimes triumph over reason,

dum modo illa in hoc genere praescriptio moderatioque teneatur:

provided that in such matters the following rule and limitation is observed:

parcat iuventus pudicitiae suae, ne spoliet alienam,

let a young man be mindful of his own repute and not a despoiler of another's;

ne effundat patrimonium, ne faenore trucidetur,

Let him not squander his patrimony; nor be slaughtered by profit;

ne incurrat in alterius domum atque famam, ne probrum castis,

nor attack the home and reputation of another; nor bring shame upon the chaste

labem integris, infamiam bonis inferat, ne quem vi terreat,

taint upon the virtuous, disgrace upon the upright; let him frighten none by violence,

ne intersit insidiis, scelere careat;

not take part in conspiracy, be free from crime.

postremo, cum paruerit voluptatibus,

Lastly, when he has obeyed pleasures,

dederit aliquid temporis ad ludum aetatis

and these empty desires of youth,

atque ad inanes hasce adulescentiae cupiditates,

has given some time to love-affairs of youth

revocet se aliquando ad curam rei domesticae,

Let him at length turn to the interests of home life,

rei forensis reique publicae,

to activity at the law courts and in public affairs,

ut ea, quae ratione antea non perspexerat, satietate abiecisse,

so that all those pursuits, which reason had previously failed to reveal, he may show that he has abandoned from satiety

experiendo contempsisse videatur.

and found contemptible through experience.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 41

Itaque alli voluptatis causa omnia sapientes facere dixerunt

And so, some have said that the wise do everything for the sake of pleasure

Neque ab hac orationis turpitudine eruditi homines refugerunt

And learned men have not recoiled from this disgraceful statement;

Alii cum voluptate dignitatem coniungendam [esse] putaverunt

Others have thought that prestige needed to be combined with pleasure

ut res maxime inter se repugnantis dicendi facultate coniungerent

so that they could unite in skilful argument things that are especially incompatible between themselves,

illud unum directum iter ad laudem cum labore qui probaverunt

those who have demonstrated that one straight path to glory is that with toil

prope soli iam in scholis sunt relicti.

are now left nearly alone in their schools.

Multa enim nobis blandimenta natura ipsa genuit quibus sopita virtua coniveret interdum;

For nature herself has produced for us many allurements through which virtue, having been lulled to sleep, sometimes closes her eyes.

Multas vias adulescentae lubricas ostendit quibus illa insistere aut ingredi sine casu aliquo ac prolapsione vix passet;

She has shown to youth many slippery paths on which it was scarcely able to stand or enter without some falling and stumbling;

Multarum rerum iucundissimarum varietatem dedit que non modo haec aetas sed etiam iam conroborata caperetur.

she has given a variety of many very delightful things, by which this age not only was captivated but indeed now was matured.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 40

Verum haec genera virtutum non solum in moribus nostris,

Indeed these kinds of virtue aren't found not only in our custom today,

sed vix iam in libris reperiuntur. Chartae quoque,

but also now in our books. The pages also,

quae illam pristinam severitatem continebant, obsoleverunt;

which used to contain that ancient servitude, they have faded:

neque solum apud nos,

not only among us,

qui hanc sectam rationemque vitae

who this plan of life

re magis quam verbis secuti sumus,

more in deeds than in words they follow,

sed etiam apud Graecos, doctissimos homines,

but also among the Greeks, the most learned of men,

 quibus, cum facere non possent,

who, although they cannot do things,

loqui tamen et scribere honeste et magnifice licebat,

it was nevertheless allowed for them to speak and write with honour and splendour,

alia quaedam mutatis Graeciae temporibus praecepta exstiterunt.

certain other teachings when Greek's situation changed, came to exist.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 39

dicet aliquis: "haec igitur est tua disciplina?

someone will say 'is this your way of teaching?

sic tu instituis adulescentis?

Do you teach young men in this way?

ob hanc causam tibi hunc puerum parens commendavit et tradidit, Did the parents, for this reason, entrusted and hand over the boy to you,

ut in amore atque in voluptatibus adulescentiam suam conlocaret,

so that he spent his youth in love and pleasure,

et ut hanc tu vitam atque haec studia defenderes?"

and so that you would defend this life and these pursuits?

ego, si quis, iudices, hoc robore animi atque hac indole virtutis ac

I, if someone, judges, was strong minded and capable of virtue and

continentiae fuit ut respueret omnis voluptates omnemque vitae

self-restraint so that he rejected all pleasures and his whole course of life

suae cursum in labore corporis atque in animi contentione conficeret,

he completed in the labour of the body and in the straining of the mind,

quem non quies, non remissio, non aequalium studia, non ludi,

this man who not in rest, not in relaxation, not in his friend's pursuits, not in games,

non convivium delectaret, nihil in vita expetendum putaret nisi quod

not in partying is he delighted, nothing in life ought to be sought out he would think except that

esset cum laude et cum dignitate coniunctum, hunc mea sententia

which is joined with praise and dignity, this man in my opinion

divinis quibusdam bonis instructum atque ornatum puto.

with certain divine virtues is endowed and furnished, I think.

ex hoc genere illos fuisse arbitror Camillos, Fabricios, Curios, omnisque eos qui haec ex minimis tanta fecerunt.

I observe that out of this kind of man, Camillus, Fabricius, Curius, and are all those who made such great things as these from very small things.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 38

huic tristi ac derecto seni responderet Caelius se nulla cupiditate inductum de via decessisse.

to this stern and strict old man Caelius would respond that he had not departed from the straight path due to lust.

quo signi? nulli sumptus, nulla iactura, nulla versura.

what proof is there? there is no charge, no loss, no debt.

at fuit fama.

but there was a rumour.

quotus quisque istam effugere potest,

how few people can escape that (rumour),

praesertim, in tam maledicta civitate?

especially, in such a slanderous state?

vicinum eius mulieris miraris male audisse

do you not wonder at the neighbour of the women heard badly

[gained a bad reputation]

cuius frater germanus sermones iniquorum effugere non potuit?

whose full blooded brother could not escape the conversations of ill wishes?

leni vero et clementi patri cuius modi ille est:

indeed Caelius is to a gentle and merciful father of which manner his own father is:

fores ecfregit, restituentur;

he has broken the doors, they will be repaired;

discidit vestem, resarcietur.

he's torn his garment, it will be mended.

Caeli causa est expeditissima.

Caelius; cause is uncomplicated.

quid enim esset in quo se non facile defenderet?

for what was there in which he could not defending himself easily?

nihil iam in istam mulierem dico;

now I say nothing against that women;

sed, si esset aliqua dissimilis istius quae se omnibus pervolgaret,

but, if there was some woman unlike that woman who made herself available,

quae haberet palam decretum semper aliquem,

who always had someone picked out openly,

cuius in hortos, domum, Baias iure suo libidines omnium commearent,

into whose gardens, home, estate at Baiae the lusts of everyone frequent at their will,

quae etiam aleret adulescentis

a woman who even grooms young men

et parsimoniam patrum suis sumptibus sustineret;

and sustains the frugal nature of fathers with her own wealth;

si vidua libere, proterva petulanter, dives effuse, libidinosa meretricio more viveret,

if she lived as a widow freely, shamelessly as a shameful woman, as a rich woman lavishly, as a lustful woman in the way of a harlet,

adulterum ego putarem si quis hanc paulo liberius salutasset.

would I think that she was a cheater, if anyone greeted her too freely.

[latinlizard]

Pro Caelio 37

redeo nunc ad te, Caeli, vicissim I now return to you, Caelius,

ac mihi auctoritatem patriam severitatemque suscipio. what is mihi?

and in turn I shall take up the authority and severity of a father

sed dubito quem patrem potissimum sumam,

But I am doubtful of which father I should especially take up,

Caecilianumne aliquem vehementem atque durum:

Should I take up some Caecilian person from a play, violent and harsh:

nunc enim demum mi animus ardet,

for now at last my soul burns,

nunc meum cor cumulatur ira

now my heart is overwhelmed with anger

aut illum: or that guy?

o infelix, o sceleste!

o sad man, o criminal!

ferrei sunt isti patres: those (terrible) fathers are made of iron:

egone quid dicam, quid velim?

what shall I say, what should I wish for?

quae tu omnia tuis foedis factis facis ut nequiquam velim,

by your foul deeds you make all these things in such a way that i wish in vain,

vix ferendi.

they're barely durable.

diceret talis pater:

such a father would say:

"cur te in istam vicinitatem meretriciam contulisti?

'why did you take yourself into the company of that whore?'

cur inlecebris cognitis non refugisti?"

'why have you not fled from her well known inticements?'

cur alienam ullam mulierem nosti? why did you become acquainted with not-your-women

dide ac dissice;

scatter and squander:

per me tibi licet.

Go ahead then.

si egebis, tibi dolebit, non mihi. if you lust for it, it will hurt you not me.

mihi sat est qui aetatis quod relicuom est oblectem meae.

For me it is enough so that I may take pleasure in the remains of my life

[latinlizard]

Propertius 1.14

Tv licet abiectus Tiberina molliter unda you lay luxuriously by the gentle waves of the Tiber

Lesbia Mentoreo uina bibas opere, and drink Lesbian wines from Mentorean ware,

et modo tam celeres mireris currere lintres and you now marvel at the speed of the skiffs

et modo tam tardas funibus ire rates; and now at how slowly the barges move on cables;

et nemus omne altas tibi tendat uertice siluas and though all the grove stretches up as tall

urgetur quantis Caucasus arboribus; as the trees that crowd on Caucasus,

non tamen ista meo ualeant contendere amori: however non of this compares to my love:

nescit Amor magnis cedere diuitiis. Amor does not know how to yield to grear lengths.

nam siue optatam mecum trahit illa quietem, for whether she takes her desired ret with me,

seu facili totum ducit amore diem, or drives our whole day with lingering sex,

tum mihi Pactoli ueniunt sub tecta liquores, then under my roof will the waters of Pactolus flow,

et legitur Rubris gemma sub aequoribus; and beneat the red sea a gem is picked for me;

tum mihi cessuros spondent mea gaudia reges: then my delights promise that kings will yield to me;

quae maneant, dum me fata perire uolent! may they continue, whilst fate wishes I would die!

nam quis diuitiis aduerso gaudet Amore? for who enjoys delight in wealth when Amor is against him?

nulla mihi tristi praemia sint Venere.

for me there could be no riches whilst Venus is upset.

illa potest magnas heroum infringere uires; she is able to break the great strength of heroes;

illa etiam duris mentibus esse dolor; she also can be a cause of pain to the most strong hearts;

illa neque Arabium metuit transcendere limen,

she is able to cross the Arabian thresholds

nec timet ostrino, Tulle, subire toro,

nor was she afraid to trespass in the purple place, Tullus,

et miserum toto iuuenem uersare cubili:

and make all wretched young men to return to bed;

quid releuant uariis serica textilibus? what relief is there to be found in various silk textiles?

quae mihi dum placata aderit, non Lyda uerebor whilst she comes to me smirking, I shall not fear

regna uel Alcinoi munera despicere.

to despise the kingdom of Croesus or the riches of Alcinous.

[latinlizard]

Catullus 76

Walter Gramatté Tired Soldier I, 1919

 Siqva recordanti benefacta priora uoluptas If there is any benifits of recalling previous pleasures   est homini, cum se cogitat esse pium, of a man, when he thinks he is pious,  nec sanctam uiolasse fidem, nec foedere nullo and not to have violated any sacred trust, nor broken any covenant diuum ad fallendos numine abusum homines, of the gods to decieve men, multa parata manent in longa aetate, Catulle, many joys remain prepared for you in a long life, Catullus, ex hoc ingrato gaudia amore tibi. from this joy of your ungrateful love. nam quaecumque homines bene cuiquam aut dicere possunt for whatever good things man may either say to anyone aut facere, haec a te dictaque factaque sunt. or do, these things have both been said and done by you. omnia quae ingratae perierunt credita menti. all of these things have perished entrusted to an ungrateful mind  quare iam te cur amplius excrucies? so why now torture yourself more? quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reducis, why not harden up in your mind and take yourself back from that point, et dis inuitis desinis esse miser? and since the gods are unwilling, stop being wretched? difficile est longum subito deponere amorem, it is difficult to lay aside a long love suddenly,  difficile est, uerum hoc qua lubet efficias: it is difficult, somehow you should do this: una salus haec est, hoc est tibi peruincendum, that is your one hope, this must be conquered by you, hoc facias, siue id non pote siue pote. may you do this, whether it is possible or it is not.  o di, si uestrum est misereri, aut si quibus umquam O gods, if it is your truth to be pitiful, or if which you have ever extremam iam ipsa in morte tulistis opem, brought help at last to anyone already dying, me miserum aspicite et, si uitam puriter egi, look upon wretched me and, if I have lived life purely,  eripite hanc pestem perniciemque mihi, take away this plague and destruction from me,  quae mihi subrepens imos ut torpor in artus which, creeping upon me like paralysis in my deepest frame (being) expulit ex omni pectore laetitias. it has driven joys from all of my heart. non iam illud quaero, contra me ut diligat illa, Now i don't ask that, against me that she may lay with me, aut, quod non potis est, esse pudica uelit: or, what is not possible, that she should be chaste: ipse ualere opto et taetrum hunc deponere morbum. I wish myself to be well and to lay aside this foul sickness. o di, reddite mi hoc pro pietate mea. o gods, grant me this for my mercy.

[latinlizard]

Catullus 50

Writing Tablet 343: Letter from Octavius to Candidus concerning supplies of wheat, hides and sinews.

Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi yesterday, Licinius, at leisure multum lusimus in meis tabellis, much fun was made in my writing tablets, ut conuenerat esse delicatos: as we'd agreed to be the nice ones: scribens uersiculos uterque nostrum writing light verses each of us ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc, it played with many meters of this and that, reddens mutua per iocum atque uinum. repaying each other through fun and wine. atque illinc abii tuo lepore and so I left that place with your charm incensus, Licini, facetiisque, fuelling my fire, Licinius, and your humours, ut nec me miserum cibus iuuaret so that even food could not give poor me help nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos, nor could i rest my eyes in sleep, sed toto indomitus furore lecto but completely excited turning in bed uersarer, cupiens uidere lucem, and tossing, desiring to see the light, ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem. so that i may speak with you in the same way as i have. at defessa labore membra postquam but after the limbs were worn out with labour semimortua lectulo iacebant, they lay on the bed half-dead, hoc, iucunde, tibi poema feci, here, little delight, for you i have a poem, ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem. out of which you may see my pain. nunc audax caue sis, precesque nostras, now beware of boldness, and for our prayers, oramus, caue despuas, ocelle, we beg, beqare of showing contempt, little darling, ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te. so that Nemesis may not demand punishment from you. est uemens dea: laedere hanc caueto. she is a violent goddess: you will beware to offend her.