Some stimulating verse (Catullus 35)
Can Latin poetry be sexy? That’s what Catullus thinks of his friend Caecilius’ poem about the goddess Cybele, and evidently Caecilius’ girlfriend agreed. Catullus 35, read, translated, and discussed by Katy Purington.
Poetae tenero, meo sodali,
velim Caecilio, papyre, dicas
Veronam veniat, Novi relinquens
Comi moenia Lariumque litus:
nam quasdam volo cogitationes 5
amici accipiat sui tuique.
quare, si sapiet, viam vorabit,
quamvis candida milies puella
euntem revocet, manusque collo
ambas iniciens roget morari, 10
quae nunc, si mihi vera nuntiantur,
illum deperit impotente amore.
nam quo tempore legit incohatam
Dindymi dominam, ex eo misellae
ignes interiorem edunt medullam. 15
ignosco tibi, Sapphica puella
musa doctior: est enim venuste
Magna Caecilio incohata Mater.
latin-poetry-podcast Said,
May 17, 2012 @ 1:34 pm
I like the way you explain the concepts behind the Latin word ‘venustus’ as a way into your interpretation. And good job countering the stereotypes about Roman women.
MiserPoeta Said,
January 23, 2013 @ 12:14 pm
After that reading, I have to say, I find you very venusta.