Catullus 50

Question 1

Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi
multum lusimus in meis tabellis,
ut convenerat esse delicatos:

Answer 1

Yesterday, Licinius, with time on our hands,
we sported on my writing tablets a lot
as we had come together to be naughty,

Question 2

scribens versiculos uterque nostrum
ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc,
reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum.

Answer 2

each of us writing little verses
sported now in this metre now in that
Answering each other’s ideas over jokes and wine.

Question 3

Atque illinc abii tuo lepore

incensus, Licini, facetiisque,

Answer 3

I came away from there on fire with your

elegance, Licinius, and your humour,

Question 4

ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret

nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos,

Answer 4

so that neither food was any use to me in my wretched state

nor would sleep cover my little eyes with rest,

Question 5

sed toto indomitus furore lecto
versarer, cupiens videre lucem,
ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem.

Answer 5

but wild with frenzy I tossed all over the bed
longing to see the dawn,
To speak with you and at the same time to be with you.

Question 6

At defessa labore membra postquam

semimortua lectulo iacebant,

Answer 6

But after my limbs were lying half dead

exhausted with exertion on the little bed,

Question 7

hoc, iucunde, tibi poema feci,

ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem.

Answer 7

I made this poem for you, my dear man,

To let you see my agony.

Question 8

Nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras,

oramus, cave despuas, ocelle,

Answer 8

Now do not be rash and I beg you

do not spit back our prayers, dear thing,

Question 9

ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te.

Est vemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.

Answer 9

In case Nemesis demands punishment from you.

She is a powerful goddess; beware of injuring her.