The Poetry of Gaius Valerius Catullus/8

Text & Translation
Meter - Limping Iambics

Connotations of The Text
The use of the metre, limping iambic, has a broken uneven effect, mimicking the dead end of his thoughts.

Line 1

 * miser - miserable; wretched; unhappy

This is a favourite word of Catullus' usually used to describe himself. It can also be translated as "love-sick" and this translation creates a nearer tone that Catullus intended in the poem. This expression can also be seen in Poem 7.

Line 4

 * ventitabas - you used to go

The use of the Imperfect Tense shows how Catullus used to go everywhere Lesbia went - making him like Lesbia's shadow.


 * ducebat - where she used to lead

The use of the Imperfect Tense indicates how Lesbia used to be in control of Catullus and she led him around as she pleased.

Line 9

 * nunc iam - now it has come to this

This phrases emphasises the finality of the relationship and how it has ended once and for all.

Line 14

 * rogaberis nulla - you will be asked [out] by none

Here the poet is trying to convince himself that Lesbia will lose out the most in the end. Nulla here is acting more as an adverb "not"

Line 19

 * obdura - endure

The end of the poem finishes with a blunt imperative. This is Catullus trying to snap himself out of his misery.

Line 1

 * miser - miserable; wretched; unhappy; love-sick


 * desino, ere, -sii, -itum - leave off; cease; desist; abandon


 * ineptio, ineptire - play the fool

Line 2

 * perdo, -ere, -didi, -ditum - destroy; ruin; lose

Line 3

 * fulgeo, -ere, fulsi - shine; gleam; glitter; sparkle


 * candidus, -a, -um - white; fair; beautiful


 * soles (pl. of sol) - lit. = suns; rays; beams

Line 4

 * ventito, ventitare - come often; keep coming

Line 6

 * ibi (adv.) - there; in that place; then; thereupon


 * fio, fieri, factus sum - to happen; be done; become


 * iocosus, -a, -um - humorous; jokey; light-hearted

Line 9

 * impotens, -entis (adj.) - weak; feeble; puny

Line 10

 * sector, sectari, sectatus sum - follow; pursue

Line 11

 * obstinatus, -a, -um - resolved; resolute; fixed; obstinate


 * perfero, -re, pertuli, perlatum - carry through; endure

Line 13

 * invitus, -a, -um - unwilling; reluctant

Line 14

 * doleo, -ere, dolui, dolitum - feel pain; suffer; grieve

Line 15

 * vae - woe to; alas

Line 18

 * labellum, -i, n. (dim.) - little lip


 * mordeo, momordi, morsum - bite

Line 19

 * destino, -are, -avi, -atum - fasten down; secure; determine; fix