Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Catullus 51

That man seems to me to be a god, that man, if it is right, surpasses the gods, who sitting opposite (you) again and again sees and hears you sweetly laughing, (a thing) which tears all senses from wretched me: for as soon as I have caught sight of you, Lesbia, there is nothing of a voice left in my mouth, but my tongue grows numb, a thin flame runs down under my limbs, my ears ring with their own sound, my lights are covered with a twin night. Leisure, Catullus, is a bother to you; you rejoice and exult too much in leisure; leisure has ruined both kings and beautiful kingdoms before.

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