The Poetry of Gaius Valerius Catullus/40

Text & Translation
Meter - Hendecasyllabic

Line 1

 * Ravidus

The rival of Catullus.

Line 3

 * non bene advocatus - not well summoned

A slight mistake in invocation may bring down the wrath of the gods

Line 7

 * meos amores - my loves

Refers to Juventius, a young boy who Catullus chased for his affections. Homosexual affairs were a normal part of Roman life, and Juventius may have been a freedman or a slave, since it was not proper for a Roman man to have sex outside marriage with another Roman citizen.

The use of the plural amores indicates the passion felt for Juventius.

Line 8
cum longa ... poena- Catullus predicts his poetry will be everlasting.

Line 1

 * quinam, quaenam, quodnam - what; tell me?
 * mens, mentis f. - mind; reason
 * misellus -a -um - (dim. of miser) poor; wretched

Line 2

 * ago, agere, egi, actum - to drive; urge
 * praeceps, praecipitis (adj.) - headlong; head first
 * iambus, iambi - iamb; metrical foot

Line 3

 * quis (pron.) - what?
 * advoco, advocare - to summon

Line 4

 * Vecors, vecordis - mad; frenzied
 * rixa, rixae - violent quarrel; brawl

Line 5

 * an – or; either
 * pervenio –ire - come to; reach
 * vulgus –i n.- common people

Line 6

 * vis f. – strength; force
 * libet -ere – it pleases
 * optas –are – choose; select; wish;

Line 7

 * quandoquidem – since; seeing that

Line 8

 * volo, velle, volui – to wish; want; prefer