Catullus 86

Quintia to many is beautiful. To me she is fair, tall, and straight-limbed: I admit these individual points. I deny that this whole is beautiful: for there is no grace, no grain of wit in so great a body. Lesbia is beautiful, who not only is wholly very pretty but also, one girl, has stolen all the charms from everyone (else).

Catullus 85

I hate and I love. How do I do this, perhaps you ask. I do not know, but I feel it happening, and I am tortured.

Catullus 84

Arrius used to say “hadvantages” if ever he wanted to say “advantages,” and “hambushes” for “ambushes,” and then was hoping that he had spoken wondrously, when he had said “hambushes” as much as he was able. Thus his mother, thus his free uncle, thus his maternal grandfather and grandmother had spoken, I believe. This one having been sent into Syria, the ears of everyone had rested: they were hearing these same things softly and smoothly. Nor afterwards were they fearing such words for themselves when suddenly a terrible message is brought, the Ionian Sea, after Arrius had gone there, now is not the “Ionian” but the Hionian.”

Catullus 77

Rufus, to no purpose and in vain believed by me a friend--to no purpose? more correctly with great price and evil--thus have you stolen upon me and, burning my vitals, have you stolen from this wretch all our good (things)? You have stolen (them), alas, alas, cruel poison of our life, alas, alas, curse of our friendship.

Catullus 76

If there is any pleasure for a man remembering previous benefits, when he thinks that he is pious, that he has not dishonored sacred faith nor in any contract has abused the will of the gods to deceive men, many joys remain for you in a long life, Catullus, prepared from this thankless love. For whatever men can say or do well for anyone, these have been both said and done by you: all of which have died, entrusted to an ungrateful mind. Therefore, why now do you torture yourself further? Why do you not persevere in spirit and thence both lead yourself back and cease to be wretched with the gods unwilling? It is hard to put aside a long love suddenly; it is hard, but let yourself do this in whatever (way) you will. This is your one safety, this must be completely conquered by you; let yourself do this whether it is possible or not possible. O gods, if it is yours to pity, or if ever you have brought final help to anyone already amidst death itself, look at wretched me and, if I have lead life innocently, snatch this disease and destruction from me, which, creeping into my inmost limbs like a numbness, has driven out the joys from my whole heart. Now I do not ask for that which is not possible, that that woman esteems me in return or that she wants to be chaste: I myself wish to be strong and to lay to rest this foul illness. O gods, give this to me for my piety!

Catullus 72

You once used to say that you knew only Catullus, Lesbia, and that (you) did not want to hold Jove before me. I esteemed you then not only as a the rabble his lover but as a father values his sons and sons-in-law. Now I know you: therefore even if I burn more exceedingly, you are yet much cheaper and more trivial to me. How can this be, you ask? Because such a wrong compels a lover to love more but wish less well.

Catullus 70

My woman says that she prefers to wed no one than me, not if Jupiter himself would seek her. She says: but what a woman says to a desiring lover she ought to write in wind and swift water.