Catullus

Catullus’ elegy on the death of Quintilia, meant to console his friend and fellow poet Calvus for his loss, is an eloquent testament both to Calvus’ love for Quinitilia, and to the bond between Catullus and Calvus, argues Michelle Hoffer. She points out that while the poem is full of intense emotion, the elegant word order shows that Catullus crafted his thoughts very carefully.

Sī quicquam mūtīs grātum acceptumve sepulcrīs

accidere ā nostrō, Calve, dolōre potest,

quō dēsīderiō veterēs renovāmus amōrēs

atque ōlim missās flēmus amīcitiās,

certē nōn tantō mors immātūra dolōrī est

Quīntiliae, quantum gaudet amōre tuō.

Image: Anne-Louis Girodet (de Roussy-Trioson), “Funeral of Atala” 1808. Source.