Catullus (Poem 50) Lines 1-10 - Translation

hesterno, Licini, die otiosi

multum lusimus in meis tabellis,

ut convenerat esse delicatos;

Yesterday, Licinius, being at leisure,

we played a lot on my tablets,

as it had suited us to be frivolous;

scribens versiculos uterque nostrum

ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc,

reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum.

Each of us writing trivial verses

Played now in this metre, now in that,

Exchanging compositions between us amid jokes and wine.

atque illinc abii tuo lepore

incensus, Licini, facetiisque,

ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret

nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos…

And then, I went away from there inflamed

By your charm and witticisms, Licinius,

So that neither did [any] food help me in my wretchedness,

Nor did sleep cover my dear eyes with rest…

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