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.