Catullus

Miller Higgins discusses Catullus’ famous translation of Sappho 31, and focuses on the last stanza, added by Catullus and not in the original. Does it imply remorse for pursuing a foolish woman? Frustration at his own laziness? Or low confidence in himself?

Ille mī pār esse deō vidētur,

ille, sī fās est, superāre dīvōs,

quī sedēns adversus identidem tē

spectat et audit

dulce rīdentem, miserō quod omnēs

ēripit sēnsūs mihi: nam simul tē,

Lesbia, aspexī, nihil est super mī

vōcis in ōre

lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artūs

flamma dēmānat, sonitū suopte

tintinant aurēs geminā, teguntur

lūmina nocte.

Ōtium, Catulle, tibī molestum est:

ōtiō exsultās nimiumque gestis:

ōtium et rēgēs prius et beātās

perdidit urbēs.