Catullus

Katya Hrichak argues that Catullus’ obsessive returning to the topic of his own loyalty to Lesbia, and how she has disappointed him by failing to reciprocate, shows that to him passion is the most important thing in an affair, even above trust.

70
Nullī sē dīcit mulier mea nubere malle

quam mihi, non sī sē Iuppiter ipse petat.

Dicit: sed mulier cupidō quod dīcit amantī,

in ventō et rapida scrībere oportet aquā.

87
Nūlla potest mulier tantum sē dīcere amātam

vērē, quantum ā mē Lesbia amāta mea est.

Nūlla fidēs ūllō fuit umquam foedere tanta,

quanta in amōre tuō ex parte reperta meā est.

Image: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, “Cherries” (1873). Source: Wikiart.