Catullus 50

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Catullus 50 is a poem by the Roman poet Gaius Valerius Catullus. It describes the competitive exchange of love poetry between Catullus and his friend Calvus. Catullus' description of his restless state can be read as a continuation of the competition.

The meter of this poem is hendecasyllabic, a common form in Catullus' poetry.

Latin text and translation

English Translation	Original Latin	Line
Yesterday, Calvus, at leisure we wrote very much poetry on my tablets, since it had been decided to be frivolous: each one of us writing our lines of poetry and was playing in this meter or that meter, each one of us is exchanging things through joke and wine. And I went from there, having been inflamed by your charm and your wit, Calvus, that as a result did food could not help me nor did sleep cover my little eyes with rest, but I, unconquered, was tossed with fury on the whole couch, wanting to see the light, in order that I could speak with you the same time that I could be (with you). But my half dead limbs were lying on the little bed after having been exhausted by work, at this time, delightful one, I made poems for you, from which you may recognize my pain. Now take care that you not be bold, my dear, and I pray take care that you not reject my pleas, lest Nemesis demand punishment from you: she is a violent goddess, take care not to harm her.	Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi multum lusimus in meis tabellis, ut convenerat esse delicatos: scribens versiculos uterque nostrum ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc, reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum. Atque illinc abii tuo lepore incensus, Licini, facetiisque, ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos, sed toto indomitus furore lecto versarer, cupiens videre lucem, ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem. At defessa labore membra postquam semimortua lectulo iacebant, hoc, iucunde, tibi poema feci, ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem. Nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras, oramus, cave despuas, ocelle, ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te. Est vemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.	50.1 50.2 50.3 50.4 50.5 50.6 50.7 50.8 50.9 50.10 50.11 50.12 50.13 50.14 50.15 50.16 50.17 50.18 50.19 50.20 50.21

Bibliography

• William, MF (1988). "Catullus 50 and the Language of Friendship". Latomus 47 69–73.
• Burgess, DL (1986). "Catullus c.50: the Exchange of Poetry". American Journal of Philology 107 576–586.
• Finamore, JF (1984). "Catullus 50 and 51: Friendship, Love and Otium". Classical World 78 11–19.
• Segal, C (1970). "Catullan otiosi — The Lover and the Poet". Greece and Rome 17 26–31.
• Scott, WC (1969). "Catullus and Calvus (Cat. 50)". Classical Philology 64 169–173.

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