Catullus

Question 1

hesterno, Licini, die otiosi multum lusimus in meis tabellis,

Answer 1

Yesterday, Licinius, at lesiure we amused ourselves a lot on my writing-tablets,

Question 2

ut convenerat esee delicatos: scribens versiculos uterque nostrum

Answer 2

as we had agreed to be frivolous: each of us writing little verses

Question 3

ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc, reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum.

Answer 3

played now with the metre, now with that, exchanging ideas amongst banter and wine.

Question 4

atque illinc abii tuo lepore incensus, Licini, facetiisque,

Answer 4

Then I went away from there inflamed by your charm, Licinius, and your wit,

Question 5

ut nec me miserum cibus iuvaret nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos,

Answer 5

so that neither food delighted me nor did sleep cover my eyes with rest,

Question 6

sed toto indomitus furore lecto versarer, cupiens videre lucem

Answer 6

but wild with excitement I tossed and turned over the whole bed, longing to see darybreak,

Question 7

ut tecum loquerer simulque ut essem.

Answer 7

to speak with you and be with you too.

Question 8

at defessa labore membra postquam semimortua lectulo iacebant,

Answer 8

But after my limbs, exhausted with the strain, lay half-dead on the couch,

Question 9

hoc, iucunde, tibi poem feci, ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem.

Answer 9

I wrote this to you, my fine fellow, so you might really see my agony.

Question 10

nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras, oramus, cave despuas,

Answer 10

Now take care not to be arrogant and take care not to spit out my prayers, I beg,

Question 11

ocelle, ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te.

Answer 11

my dear friend, lest Nemesis demand punishment from you

Question 12

est vemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.

Answer 12

She is a powerful goddess: beware of harmign this goddess.

Question 13

cenabis bene, mi Fabulle, apud me paucis, si tibi di favent, deibus,

Answer 13

You will dine well, my Fabullus, at my house in a few days, if the gods favour you,

Question 14

si tecum attuleris bonam atque magnam cenam, non sine candida puella

Answer 14

if you bring with you a good and large meal, not without a dazzling girl

Question 15

et vino et sale et omnibus cachinnis;

Answer 15

and wine and salt and all the laughs;

Question 16

haec si, inquam, attuleris, venuste noster cenabis bene;

Answer 16

If, I say, you bring these things, my charming fellow, you will dine well’

Question 17

nam tui Catulli plenus sacculus est aranearum.

Answer 17

for your Catullus’ little purse is full of cobwebs.

Question 18

sed contra accipies meros amores seu quid suavius elegantiusve est;

Answer 18

But in return you will recieve undiluted affection or somethign which is more sweet or more tasteful;

Question 19

nam unguentum dabo, quod meae puellae donarunt Veneres Cupidinesque;

Answer 19

for I will give you a perfume which the Venuses and the Cupids gave to my girl;

Question 20

quod tu cum olfacies, deos rogabis totum ut te faciant, Fabulle, nasum.

Answer 20

when you smell this, you will ask the gods, Fabullus, to make you entirely nose.