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….