Calling out to the dead (Catullus 101)
Catullus 101, read, translated, and discussed by Elizabeth Hess
MVLTAS per gentes et multa per aequora vectus
advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias,
ut te postremo donarem munere mortis
et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem.
quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum.
heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi,
nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum
tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias,
accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu,
atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.
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latin-poetry-podcast Said,
May 10, 2011 @ 10:33 am
Excellent job setting the poem in its social context in Roman custom. You are so right about the absence of flowery language. That is a big part of the impact of the poem, I think. Well done!
Cleaning Said,
March 22, 2012 @ 9:21 am
I totally agree with you about the the absence of flowery language. The poem sounds really magical and influential. Great job!