The Poems and Fragments of Catullus

Gaius Valerius Catullus (translated by Robinson Ellis) · 1st century BCE primary

passage 42 of 42 · Part us, a rough rude space of flowing water, asunder. > Part with a slender palm taborines beat merrily jangling; (17/17)

in brief

The editor supplies translated excerpts and glossary-like notes, including a brief tribute poem to Allius, comments on the word “clarity,” and a framing of Sidney’s translation and a term for a “harlot.”

LXVIII. 149.

So, it is all I can, take, Allius, answer, a little Verse, to requite thy much friendship, a contrary boon.

These little rites, a stone, a verse, receive, 'Tis all a father, all a friend can give.

POPE, Epitaph on the children of Lord Digby.

LXIX. 4.

Clarity

clearness, transparency.

Here clarity of candour, history's soul, The critical mind in short.

BROWNING, Ring and Book, i. 925.

LXX.

Sir Philip Sidney thus translates this poem:--

Unto no body my woman saith shee had rather a wife be, Then to myself, not though Jove grew a suter of hers. These be her words, but a woman's words to a love that is eager, Midde [windes?] or waters stream do require to be writ.

XCIX. 10.

Fricatrice.

To a lewd harlot, a base fricatrice.

BEN JONSON, The Fox, iv. 2.

THE END.

BRADBURY, EVANS, AND CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Poems and Fragments of Catullus, by Catullus

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The Poems and Fragments of Catullus · Gaius Valerius Catullus (translated by Robinson Ellis) · 60–54 BCE