Catullus Poem 50 Translation Notes

Translation for Catullus Poem 50, OCR GCSE Latin Verse Literature Option B

hesterno, Licini, die otiosi
multum lusimus in meis tablellis

Yesterday, Licinius, being at leisure, we played a lot on my tablets,

ut convenerat esse delicatos;

as it had suited us to be frivolous

scribens versiculos uterque nostrum
ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc

each of us writing trivial verses, played now in this metre, now in that

reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum.

exchanging lines between us amid jokes and wine.

atque illinc abii tuo lepore
incensus, Licini, facetiisque

And indeed, I went away from there, fired by your charm and witticisms, Licinius,

ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret
nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos…

so that neither did any food help me in my wretchedness, nor did sleep cover my dear eyes with rest….

sed toto indomitus furore lecto
versarer, cupiens videre lucem,

but, uncontrollable because of my frenzy, I tossed about over the whole bed, desiring to see the daylight

ut tecum loquerer simularque ut essem.

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

at defessa labore membra postquam
semimortua lectulo iacebant,

But, when my limbs, tired by suffering, were lying half dead in my little bed,

hoc, iucunde, tibi poema feci,
ex quo perspeiceres meum dolorem.

I composed this poem for you, dear chap, from which you might perceive my pain.

nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras,
oramus, cave despuas, ocelle,

Now take care that you are not proud, and, light of my life, we beg, do not despise our prayers,

ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te.
est vemens dea. laedere hanc caveto.

lest Nemesis demand punishment from you. She is a violent goddess. Beware of offending her.