Gaius Valerius Catullus, Carmina (ed. Sir Richard Francis Burton)
Editions and translations: Latin (ed. E. T. Merrill) | English (ed. Sir Richard Francis Burton) | English (ed. Leonard C. Smithers)
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TO LESBIA THE FALSE.Wont thou to vaunt whilòme of, knowing only Catullus
(Lesbia!) nor to prefer Jupiter's self to myself.
Then, too, I loved thee well, not as vulgar wretch his mistress
But as a father his sons loves and his sons by the law.
Now have I learnt thee aright; wherefor though burn I the hotter,
Lighter and viler by far thou unto me hast become.
"How can this be?" dost ask: 'tis that such injury ever
Forces the hotter to love, also the less well to will.
There are a total of 20 comments on and cross references to this page.
Further comments from E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus:
poem 72 (general note)
poem 72, line 1 (general note)
poem 72, line 1: nosse
poem 72, line 2: tenere
poem 72, line 3: dilexi
poem 72, line 4: generos
poem 72, line 5: impensius uror
poem 72, line 7: potis est
poem 72, line 8: bene velle
Cross references from E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus:
* [Lesbia.]
* [Poems.]
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This text is based on the following book(s): Catullus. Carmina. Sir Richard Francis Burton. trans. London. For translator for private use. 1894. OCLC: 878062
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