Saturday 19 November 2011

Cui dono?

I know that's not the actual title, I just like to make up cutesy little abbreviations sometimes. Considering it's the first poem of Catullus's libellus, I thought it was appropriate to start with.

To whom do I give a charming little new book
just now finished off with dry pumice-stone?
To you, Cornelius; for you were accustomed
to thinking my jests of some importance;
now then when you, one of the Italians, dared
to set forth every age with three tomes
Learned, O Jupiter, and industrious.
Wherefore have yourself whatever this whatever kind of little book;
which may, O patroness virgin,
remain for more than one everlasting age.

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