Catullus (Poem 50) Lines 11-21 - Analysis

But, uncontrollable because of my frenzy, I tossed about

Over the whole bed⁹, desiring to see the daylight,

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

◇9: toto … lecto: enclosing order – the whole bed wraps itself round him as he tosses about, unable to sleep.

But, uncontrollable because of my frenzy, I tossed about¹⁰

Over the whole bed, desiring to see¹⁰ the daylight,

So that I could talk¹⁰ to you and be together with you.

◇10: versarer … videre … loquerer: the sound er occurs five time, in order to recreate the sound of Catullus groaning, unable to sleep.

But¹¹, when my limbs, tired by suffering

◇11: at: the particle normally denotes a change of person. But here, it denotes a change of activity from sleepless tossing about to the calm composition of a poem.

But, when my limbs, tired¹² by suffering

Were lying half-dead¹² on my little bed,

◇12: defessa … membra … semimortua: a double enclosing order, the tiredness induced by a lack of sleep taking over his limbs, making him feel half-dead.

I composed this poem¹³ for you, dear fellow,

◇13: hoc … poema: enclosing order, composed solely for Calvus.

From which you might perceive¹⁴ my pain.

◇14: perspiceres: the assonance of er reappears here, and the prefix per- shows that Catullus want Calvus to see clearly the pain he feels.

Lest Nemesis¹⁵ demands a punishment from you.

✪15: The Greek goddess of vengeance.

Now beware¹⁶ of being rash, light of my life, we beg,

Beware¹⁶ of spurning our prayers,

Lest Nemesis demands a punishment from you.

She is a violent goddess. Beware¹⁶ of offending her.

✪16: cave … cave … caveto: the triple repetition is deliberate, as it was believed that repetition helped to make a prayer of curse more effective.