Catullus (Poem 50) Lines 11-21 - Translation

sed toto indomitus furore lecto

versarer, cupiens videre lucem,

ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem.

But, uncontrollable because of my frenzy, I tossed about

Over the whole bed, desiring to see the daylight,

So that I could talk to you and be together with you.

at defessa labore membra postquam

semimortua lectulo iacebant,

hoc, iucunde, tibi poema feci,

ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem.

But, when my limbs, tired by suffering

Were lying half-dead on my little bed,

I composed this poem for you, dear fellow,

From which you might perceive my pain.

nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras,

oramus, cave despuas, ocelle,

ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te.

Now beware of being rash, light of my life, we beg,

Beware of spurning our prayers,

Lest Nemesis demands a punishment from you.

est vemens dea. laedere hanc caveto.

She is a violent goddess. Beware of offending her.