Siqua recordanti benefacta priora voluptas
est homini , cum se cogitat esse pium ,
nec sanctam violasse fidem , nec foedere nullo
divum ad fallendos numine abusum homines ,
multa parata manent in longa aetate , Catulle ,
ex hoc ingrato gaudia amore tibi .
Nam quaecumque homines bene cuiquam aut dicere possunt
aut facere , haec a te dictaque factaque sunt :
omnia quae ingratae perierunt credita menti .
Quare iam te cur amplius excrucies ?
Quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reducis ,
et dis invitis desinis esse miser ?
Difficile est longum subit deponere amorem ;
difficile est , verum hoc qua lubet efficias .
Una salus haec est , hoc est tibi pervincendum ;
hoc facias , sive id non pote sive pote .
O di , si vestrum est misereri , aut si quibus umquam
extremam iam ipsa in morte tulistis opem ,
me miserum aspicite et , si vitam puriter egi ,
eripite hanc pestem perniciemque mihi ,
quae mihi subrepens imos ut torpor in artus
expulit ex omni pectore laetitias .
Non iam illud quaero , contra me ut diligat illa ,
aut , quod non potis est , esse pudica velit :
ipse valere opto et taetrum hunc deponere morbum .
O di , reddite mi hoc pro pietate mea .

If there is any pleasure for a man in remembering good prior deeds
when he thinks that he is upright .
and not when he has violated trust and not that he has abused the god ' s power to deceive people .
For whatever people are able to say do for anyone , these things have been done and said by you . All these things having been believed have perished . Why do you torture yourself more ? Firm up your mind and lead yourself away from there and with the unwilling gods stop being miserable ?
It is difficult to suddenly put down a long love
It is difficult but you should do this to make you happy
This is your one hope , you must conquer this
you should do this whether it is impossible or possible
O gods if it is withing you to have mercy or if to those in the moment of death you have ever brought final help , look at my miserable self , if I lived purely , take this plague and ruin from me , which crawling as a numbness into my deepest veins drives out happiness from chest
I do not ask that she loves me in return or , that which is not possible , that she wishes to be chaste
I myself choose to be strong and choose to put this foul disease away .

If recalling past good deeds is pleasant to a man ,
when he thinks himself to have been virtuous ,
not violating sacred ties , nor using the names of gods
in any contract in order to deceive men ,
then there are many pleasures left to you , Catullus ,
in the rest of life , due to this thankless passion .
Since whatever good a man can do or say
to anyone , has been said and done by you .
All , that entrusted to a thankless heart is lost .
Why torment yourself then any longer ?
Why not harden your mind , and shrink from it ,
and cease to be unhappy , since the gods are hostile ?
It’s difficult to suddenly let go of a former love ,
it’s difficult , but it would gratify you to do it :
That’s your one salvation . That’s for you to prove ,
for you to try , whether you can or not .
O gods , if mercy is yours , or if you ever brought help
to a man at the very moment of his death ,
gaze at my pain and , if I’ve lived purely ,
lift this plague , this destruction from me ,
so that the torpor that creeps into my body’s depths
drives out every joy from my heart .
I no longer ask that she loves me to my face ,
or , the impossible , that she be chaste :
I choose health , and to rid myself of this foul illness .
O gods , grant me this for all my kindness .

Siqua recordanti benefacta priora voluptas
est homini , cum se cogitat esse pium ,
nec sanctam violasse fidem , nec foedere nullo
divum ad fallendos numine abusum homines ,
multa parata manent in longa aetate , Catulle ,
ex hoc ingrato gaudia amore tibi .
Nam quaecumque homines bene cuiquam aut dicere possunt
aut facere , haec a te dictaque factaque sunt :
omnia quae ingratae perierunt credita menti .
Quare iam te cur amplius excrucies ?
Quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reducis ,
et dis invitis desinis esse miser ?
Difficile est longum subit deponere amorem ;
difficile est , verum hoc qua lubet efficias .
Una salus haec est , hoc est tibi pervincendum ;
hoc facias , sive id non pote sive pote .
O di , si vestrum est misereri , aut si quibus umquam
extremam iam ipsa in morte tulistis opem ,
me miserum aspicite et , si vitam puriter egi ,
eripite hanc pestem perniciemque mihi ,
quae mihi subrepens imos ut torpor in artus
expulit ex omni pectore laetitias .
Non iam illud quaero , contra me ut diligat illa ,
aut , quod non potis est , esse pudica velit :
ipse valere opto et taetrum hunc deponere morbum .
O di , reddite mi hoc pro pietate mea .

If there is any pleasure for a man in remembering good prior deeds
when he thinks that he is upright .
and not when he has violated trust and not that he has abused the god ' s power to deceive people .
For whatever people are able to say do for anyone , these things have been done and said by you . All these things having been believed have perished . Why do you torture yourself more ? Firm up your mind and lead yourself away from there and with the unwilling gods stop being miserable ?
It is difficult to suddenly put down a long love
It is difficult but you should do this to make you happy
This is your one hope , you must conquer this
you should do this whether it is impossible or possible
O gods if it is withing you to have mercy or if to those in the moment of death you have ever brought final help , look at my miserable self , if I lived purely , take this plague and ruin from me , which crawling as a numbness into my deepest veins drives out happiness from chest
I do not ask that she loves me in return or , that which is not possible , that she wishes to be chaste
I myself choose to be strong and choose to put this foul disease away .

If recalling past good deeds is pleasant to a man ,
when he thinks himself to have been virtuous ,
not violating sacred ties , nor using the names of gods
in any contract in order to deceive men ,
then there are many pleasures left to you , Catullus ,
in the rest of life , due to this thankless passion .
Since whatever good a man can do or say
to anyone , has been said and done by you .
All , that entrusted to a thankless heart is lost .
Why torment yourself then any longer ?
Why not harden your mind , and shrink from it ,
and cease to be unhappy , since the gods are hostile ?
It’s difficult to suddenly let go of a former love ,
it’s difficult , but it would gratify you to do it :
That’s your one salvation . That’s for you to prove ,
for you to try , whether you can or not .
O gods , if mercy is yours , or if you ever brought help
to a man at the very moment of his death ,
gaze at my pain and , if I’ve lived purely ,
lift this plague , this destruction from me ,
so that the torpor that creeps into my body’s depths
drives out every joy from my heart .
I no longer ask that she loves me to my face ,
or , the impossible , that she be chaste :
I choose health , and to rid myself of this foul illness .
O gods , grant me this for all my kindness .

Siqua recordanti benefacta priora voluptas
est homini , cum se cogitat esse pium ,
nec sanctam violasse fidem , nec foedere nullo
divum ad fallendos numine abusum homines ,
multa parata manent in longa aetate , Catulle ,
ex hoc ingrato gaudia amore tibi .
Nam quaecumque homines bene cuiquam aut dicere possunt
aut facere , haec a te dictaque factaque sunt :
omnia quae ingratae perierunt credita menti .
Quare iam te cur amplius excrucies ?
Quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reducis ,
et dis invitis desinis esse miser ?
Difficile est longum subit deponere amorem ;
difficile est , verum hoc qua lubet efficias .
Una salus haec est , hoc est tibi pervincendum ;
hoc facias , sive id non pote sive pote .
O di , si vestrum est misereri , aut si quibus umquam
extremam iam ipsa in morte tulistis opem ,
me miserum aspicite et , si vitam puriter egi ,
eripite hanc pestem perniciemque mihi ,
quae mihi subrepens imos ut torpor in artus
expulit ex omni pectore laetitias .
Non iam illud quaero , contra me ut diligat illa ,
aut , quod non potis est , esse pudica velit :
ipse valere opto et taetrum hunc deponere morbum .
O di , reddite mi hoc pro pietate mea .

If recalling past good deeds is pleasant to a man ,
when he thinks himself to have been virtuous ,
not violating sacred ties , nor using the names of gods
in any contract in order to deceive men ,
then there are many pleasures left to you , Catullus ,
in the rest of life , due to this thankless passion .
Since whatever good a man can do or say
to anyone , has been said and done by you .
All , that entrusted to a thankless heart is lost .
Why torment yourself then any longer ?
Why not harden your mind , and shrink from it ,
and cease to be unhappy , since the gods are hostile ?
It’s difficult to suddenly let go of a former love ,
it’s difficult , but it would gratify you to do it :
That’s your one salvation . That’s for you to prove ,
for you to try , whether you can or not .
O gods , if mercy is yours , or if you ever brought help
to a man at the very moment of his death ,
gaze at my pain and , if I’ve lived purely ,
lift this plague , this destruction from me ,
so that the torpor that creeps into my body’s depths
drives out every joy from my heart .
I no longer ask that she loves me to my face ,
or , the impossible , that she be chaste :
I choose health , and to rid myself of this foul illness .
O gods , grant me this for all my kindness .

If any pleasure is for man remembering former good deeds ,
when he thinks he is loyal ,
nor to have violated a sacred trust , nor has he abused the divine power of the gods
in any contract to deceive man ,
many joys remain for you
in this long lifetime , from this ungrateful love to you .
For whatever man can say or do
well for anyone , these things are said and done by you ,
All things which have been entrusted to an ungrateful mind have perished ,
So why do you torture yourself more ?
Why don’t you harden your mind and bring yourself back from that point ,
and cease to be miserable since the gods are unwilling .
It is difficult to suddenly set aside a long love ,
it is difficult , but you will do this no matter what ;
This is your one redemption . This must be overcome by you ,
you should do this , whether this is impossible or possible .
O gods , if it is within you to have mercy , or if you have ever brought a final help
in death itself ,
look upon miserable me and , if I live my life purely ,
take away this plague and ruin from me ,
which creeping down into my deepest limbs as numbness
has driven out happiness from my heart .
Now I do not ask that so she may love me in return ,
or , that which is impossible , that she wants to be chaste .
I myself choose to be strong and to put down this foul disease .
O gods , return this to me in exchange for my loyalty/piety .

Atalanta .
Schoeneus Atalantam filiam uirginem formosissimam dicitur habuisse , quae uirtute sua cursu uiros superabat . ea petiit a patre ut se uirginem seruaret . itaque cum a pluribus in coniugium peteretur , pater eius simultatem constituit , qui eam ducere uellet prius in certamine cursus cum ea contenderet , termino constituto , ut ille inermis fugeret , haec cum telo insequeretur ; quem intra finem termini consecuta fuisset , interficeret , cuius caput in stadio figeret . plerosque cum superasset et occidisset , nouissime ab Hippomene Megarei et Meropes filio uicta est . hic enim a Venere mala tria insignis formae acceperat , edoctus quis usus in eis esset . qui in ipso certamine iactando puellae impetum alligauit . illa enim dum colligit et ammiratur aurum , declinauit et iuueni uictoriam tradidit . cui Schoeneus ob industriam libens filiam suam dedit uxorem . hanc cum in patriam duceret , oblitus beneficio Veneris se uicisse , grates ei non egit . irata Venere in monte Parnasso cum sacrificaret Ioui Victori , cupiditate incensus cum ea in fano concubuit , quos Iuppiter ob id factum in leonem et leam conuertit , quibus di concubitum Veneris denegant .

Atalanta
They say that Schoeneus had an extraordinarily beautiful virgin daughter , Atalanta , whose natural talent allowed her to run faster than men . She asked her father to keep her unmarried . So when many suitors came to seek her hand in marriage , her father issued a challenge . Whoever wanted to marry her would first have to contend with her in a race . He laid out a course , and the suitor was to run away unarmed while she pursued with a spear . All those she overtook on the course she would kill and put their heads up in the stadium . She defeated and killed a great number of suitors until she was at last beaten by Hippomenes , the son of Megareus and Merope . Venus had given him three apples of outstanding beauty and taught him what to do with them . By throwing the apples during the contest itself , he slowed her down . For as she collected the apples and admired the gold , she got sidetracked and handed victor to the young man . Schoeneus willingly gave him his daughter in marriage as agreed . As Hippomenes was leading her back to his home , he forgot that it was due to Venus ' service that he won and did not thank her . Venus grew angry at this , and when he was sacrificing to Jupiter Victor on Mount Parnassus , she inflamed him with desire , and he slept with Atalanta in the temple . Because of this Jupiter turned him into a lion and her into a lioness , and the gods prevented them from engaging in sexual intercourse .

Atalanta
It is said that Schoeneus had the most beautiful virgin daughter Atalanta , who conquered men in racing by her own strength . She sought from her father that he protected her maidenhood . Thus when she was sought by many for marriage , her father set a contest , he who wished to lead her in marriage before must contend with her in a contest of a race . With the finish set , a man flees unarmed , she follows with a spear . She following reached him before the end of the course , she killed , and whose head was fixed in the stadium . Although she defeated and killed many , she was defeated by the young Hippomenes , son of Megareus and Merope . For he who was instructed in the use of these accepted from Venus three apples distinguished in beauty . He hinders the attack of the girl in the same contest by throwing . For she collected and admired the gold , she deviated and handed victory to the youth . Schoeneus freely gave to him a wife on account of his diligent daughter . When he led her to his homeland , forgetful that he won by the kindness of Venus , he did not give thanks to her . Venus was enraged , while he sacrificed to Jupiter Victor on Mount Parnassus , burning with desire he had sex with her ( Atalanta ) in the temple . Jupiter because of this deed converted them into a lion and a lioness to whom the gods denied the lying together of Venus .

Miser Catulle , desinas ineptire ,
et quod vides perisse perditum ducas .
fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles ,
cum ventitabas quo puella ducebat
amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla .
ibi illa multa tum iocosa fiebant ,
quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat ,
fulsere vere candidi tibi soles .
nunc iam illa non vult : tu quoque impotens noli ,
nec quae fugit sectare , nec miser vive ,
sed obstinata mente perfer , obdura .
vale puella , iam Catullus obdurat ,
nec te requiret nec rogabit invitam .
at tu dolebis , cum rogaberis nulla .
scelesta , vae te , quae tibi manet vita ?
quis nunc te adibit ? cui videberis bella ?
quem nunc amabis ? cuius esse diceris ?
quem basiabis ? cui labella mordebis ?
at tu , Catulle , destinatus obdura .

Wretched Catullus , you should stop being silly ,
and you should consider destroyed what you see was lost .
The sun used to shine white to you ,
When you coming often to where the girl lead
Having been loved by us as much as no girl will ever be loved .
There those many pleasant things then happen
which you wished , and the girl doesn’t not willing
The sun truly was shining bright on you
Now already she does not want you , you are powerless don’t
And don’t follow she who runs away , and don’t live wretchedly
but the determined mind you carry , you persist with
goodbye girl , now Catullus persists
And , Catullus will not seek you and will not ask for you unwillingly
but you will be hurt , when you won’t be asked by anyone
wicked Lesbia , darn you , what life remains to you ?
Now who will approach you ? To whom will you seem pretty ?
Now who will you love ? Whose will you be spoken of to be ?
Who will you kiss ? To whom you will nibble their lips ?
But you , Catullus , persist determinedly .

Woe-full Catullus ! cease to play the fool
And what thou seest dead as dead regard !
Whilòme the sheeniest suns for thee did shine
When oft-a-tripping whither led the girl
By us beloved , as shall none be loved .
There all so merry doings then were done
After thy liking , nor the girl was loath .
Then certès sheeniest suns for thee did shine .
Now she ' s unwilling : thou too ( hapless ! ) will
Her flight to follow , and sad life to live :
Endure with stubborn soul and still obdure .
Damsel , adieu ! Catullus obdurate grown
Nor seeks thee , neither asks of thine unwill ;
Yet shalt thou sorrow when none woos thee more ;
Reprobate ! Woe to thee ! What life remains ?
Who now shall love thee ? Who ' ll think thee fair ?
Whom now shalt ever love ? Whose wilt be called ?
To whom shalt kisses give ? whose liplets nip ?
But thou ( Catullus ! ) destiny-doomed obdure .

Miser Catulle , desinas ineptire ,
et quod vides perisse perditum ducas .
fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles ,
cum ventitabas quo puella ducebat
amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla .
ibi illa multa tum iocosa fiebant ,
quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat ,
fulsere vere candidi tibi soles .
nunc iam illa non vult : tu quoque impotens noli ,
nec quae fugit sectare , nec miser vive ,
sed obstinata mente perfer , obdura .
vale puella , iam Catullus obdurat ,
nec te requiret nec rogabit invitam .
at tu dolebis , cum rogaberis nulla .
scelesta , vae te , quae tibi manet vita ?
quis nunc te adibit ? cui videberis bella ?
quem nunc amabis ? cuius esse diceris ?
quem basiabis ? cui labella mordebis ?
at tu , Catulle , destinatus obdura .

Wretched Catullus , you should stop being silly ,
and you should consider destroyed what you see was lost .
The sun used to shine white to you ,
When you coming often to where the girl lead
Having been loved by us as much as no girl will ever be loved .
There those many pleasant things then happen
which you wished , and the girl doesn’t not willing
The sun truly was shining bright on you
Now already she does not want you , you are powerless don’t
And don’t follow she who runs away , and don’t live wretchedly
but the determined mind you carry , you persist with
goodbye girl , now Catullus persists
And , Catullus will not seek you and will not ask for you unwillingly
but you will be hurt , when you won’t be asked by anyone
wicked Lesbia , darn you , what life remains to you ?
Now who will approach you ? To whom will you seem pretty ?
Now who will you love ? Whose will you be spoken of to be ?
Who will you kiss ? Whose lips will you nibble ?
But you , Catullus , persist determinedly .

Woe-full Catullus ! cease to play the fool
And what thou seest dead as dead regard !
Whilòme the sheeniest suns for thee did shine
When oft-a-tripping whither led the girl
By us beloved , as shall none be loved .
There all so merry doings then were done
After thy liking , nor the girl was loath .
Then certès sheeniest suns for thee did shine .
Now she ' s unwilling : thou too ( hapless ! ) will
Her flight to follow , and sad life to live :
Endure with stubborn soul and still obdure .
Damsel , adieu ! Catullus obdurate grown
Nor seeks thee , neither asks of thine unwill ;
Yet shalt thou sorrow when none woos thee more ;
Reprobate ! Woe to thee ! What life remains ?
Who now shall love thee ? Who ' ll think thee fair ?
Whom now shalt ever love ? Whose wilt be called ?
To whom shalt kisses give ? whose liplets nip ?
But thou ( Catullus ! ) destiny-doomed obdure .

We were quite a way off before the sun rose , lighting everything . Carefully , since I was curious , I examined the place on my friend’s neck where I’d seen the blade enter , I said to myself : ‘You’re mad , you were in your cups and sodden with wine , and had a dreadful nightmare . Look , Socrates is sound and whole , totally unscathed . Where are the wound and the sponge ? Where’s the deep and recent scar ? ’ I turned to him : ‘Those doctors are not without merit who say that swollen with food and drink we have wild and oppressive dreams . Take me now . I took too much to drink last evening , and a bad night brought such dire and violent visions I still feel as though I was spattered , polluted with human blood . ’

He grinned at that : ‘It’s piss not blood you’re soaked with . I dreamed too , that my throat was cut . I felt the pain in my neck , and even thought my heart had been torn from my body . And now I’m still short of breath , and my knees are trembling , and I’m staggering along , and I need a bite to eat to restore my spirits . ’

‘Here’s breakfast , ’ I said ‘all ready for you , ’ and I swung the sack from my shoulder and quickly handed him bread and cheese . ‘Let’s sit by that plane tree , ’ I said . Having done so , I took something from the sack for myself , and watched him eating avidly , but visibly weaker , somehow more drawn and emaciated , and with the pallor of boxwood . In short the colour of his flesh was so disturbing it conjured up the vision of those Furies of the night before , and my terror was such the first bit of bread I took , though only a small one , struck in my throat , and it wouldn’t go down , or come back up . The absence of anyone else on the road added to my fear . Who could believe my companion was murdered , and I was innocent ? Now he , when he’d had enough , began to feel quite thirsty , since he’d gobbled the best part of a whole cheese in his eagerness . A gentle stream flowed sluggishly not far from the plane-tree’s roots , flowing on through a quiet pool , the colour of glass or silver . ‘Here , ’ I cried , ‘quench your thirst with the milky waters of this spring . ’ He rose and after a brief search for a level place at the edge of the bank , he sank down on his knees and bent forward ready to drink . But his lips had not yet touched the surface of the water when in a trice the wound in his throat gaped open , and out flew the sponge , with a little trickle of blood . Then his lifeless body pitched forward , almost into the stream , except that I caught at one of his legs , and with a mighty effort dragged him higher onto the bank . I mourned for him there , as much as circumstance allowed , and covered him with sandy soil to rest there forever beside the water . Then trembling and fearful of my life I fled through remote and pathless country , like a man with murder on his conscience , abandoning home and country , embracing voluntary exile . Now I live in Aetolia , and I’m married again . ’

So Aristomenes’ story ended . But his friend , who had obstinately refused to believe a word from the very start , said : ‘There was never a taller tale , never a more absurd mendacity . ’ And he turned to me : ‘You’re a cultured chap , as your clothes and manner show , can you credit a fable like that ? ’

I replied : ‘I judge that nothing’s impossible , and whatever the fates decide is what happens to mortal men . Now I and you and everyone experience many a strange and almost incredible event that is unbelievable when told to someone who wasn’t there . And as for Aristomenes , not only do I believe him , but by Hercules I thank him greatly for amusing us with his charming and delightful tale . I forgot about the pain of travel , and wasn’t bored on that last rough stretch of road . And I think the horse is happy too since , without him tiring , I’ve been carried all the way to the city gate here , not by his back but my ears ! ’

Aliquantum processeramus et iam iubaris exortu cuncta collustrantur , et ego curiose sedulo arbitrabar iugulum comitis , qua parte gladium delapsum videram , et mecum ‘Vesane , ’ aio ‘Qui poculis et vino sepultus extrema somniasti . Ecce Socrates integer , sanus , incolumis . Ubi vulnus ? Spongia ubi ? Ubi postremum cicatrix tam alta , tam recens ? ’ et ad illum ‘ Ne’ inquam ‘Immerito medici fidi cibo et crapula distentos saeva ei gravia somniare autumant : mihi denique quod poculis vesperi minus temperavi , nox acerba diras et truces imagines obtulit , ut adhuc me credam cruore humano aspersum atque impiatum . ’ Ad haec ille subridens ‘At tu’ inquit ‘Non sanguine I sed lotio perfusus es , verum tamen et ipse per somnium iugulari visus sum mihi . Nam et iugulum istum dolui et cor ipsum mihi avelli putavi et nunc etiam spiritu deficior et genua quatior et gradu titubo et I aliquid cibatus refovendo spiritu desidero . ’ ‘En’ inquam ‘ Paratum tibi adest ientaculum , ’ et cum dicto manticam meam numero exuo , caseum cum pane propere ei porrigo , et ‘Iuxta platanum istam residamus’ aio .

Quo facto et ipse aliquid indidem sumo , eumque avide esitantem aspicio aliquanto intentiore macie atque pallore buxeo deficientem video . Sic denique eum vitalis color turbaverat ut mihi prae metu , nocturnas etiam Furias illas imaginanti , frustulum panis quod primum sumpseram , quamvis admodum modicum , mediis faucibus inhaereret , ac neque deorsum demeare neque sursum remeare posset . Nam et crebritas ipsa commeantium metum mihi cumulabat : quis enim de duobus comitum alterum sine alterius noxa peremptum crederet ? Verum ille , ut satis detruncaverat cibum , sitire impatienter coeperat ; nam et optimi casei bonam partem avide devoraverat , et haud ita longe radices platani lenis fluvius in speciem placidae paludis ignavus ibat argento vel vitro aemulus in colorem . ‘ En ’ inquam ‘ Explere latice fontis lacteo . ’ Assurgit ille et oppertus paululum planiorem ripae marginem complicitus in genua appronat se avidus affectans poculum : necdum satis extremis labiis summum aquae rorem attigerat , et iugulo eius vulnus dehiscit in profundum patorem , et illa spongia de eo repente devolvitur eamque parvus admodum comitatur cruor : denique corpus examinatum in flumen paene cernuat , nisi ego altero eius pede retento vix et aegre ad ripam superiorem attraxi , ubi defletum pro tempore comitem misellum arenosa humo in amnis vicinia sempiterna contexi . Ipse trepidus et exinde metuens mihi per diversas et avias solitudines aufugi et quasi conscius mihi caedis humanae relicta patria et Lare ultroneum exilium amplexus nune Aetoliam novo contracto matrimonio colo .

Haec Aristomenes . At ille comes eius , qui statim initio obstinata incredulitate sermonem eius respuebat , ‘Nihil’ inquit ‘Hac fabula fabulosius , nihil isto mendacio absurdius , ’ et ad me conversus ‘ Tu autem ’ inquit ‘ Vir , ut habitus et habitudo demonstrat , ornatus , accredis1huic fabulae ? ’ ‘Ego vero’ inquam ‘Nihil impossibile arbitror , sed utcumque fata decreverint , ita cuncta mortalibus provenire : nam et mihi et tibi et cunctis hominibus multa usu venire mira et paene infecta , quae tamen ignaro relata fidem perdant . Sed ego huic et credo Hercule et gratas gratias memini , quod lepidae fabulae festivitate nos avocavit ; asperam denique ac prolixam viam sine labore ae taedio evasi . Quod beneficium etiam illum vectorem meum credo laetari : sine fatigatione sui me usque ad istam civitatis portam non dorso illius sed meis auribus provecto . ’

‘When we had gone some way the sun rose ; and now that it was
fully light , I looked very closely at my friend’s neck where I had seen
the sword go in , and I said to myself : " You’re crazy ; you were dead
drunk and had a horrible dream . There’s Socrates whole , sound and
unharmed . Where’s the wound ? Where’s the sponge ? And where’s
the fresh deep scar ? " Aloud I said : " The doctors are quite right when
they tell us that eating and drinking too much causes nightmares .
Look at me ; I had a drop too much yesterday evening , and I passed a
night of such dreadful threatening dreams that I still can’t believe I’m
not spattered and defiled with human gore . " He smiled and said : " It’s
not blood but piss you were drenched with . But to tell the truth , I too
had a dream , that my throat was cut ; I had a pain there , and I
thought the heart was plucked out of me – and even now I feel faint ,
my knees are trembling and I can’t walk properly . I think I need
something to eat to put the life back in me . " " Right , " I answered ,
" I’ve got some breakfast all ready for you , " and taking off my
knapsack I quickly gave him some bread and cheese , adding , " let’s sit
down under that plane tree . "

‘This we did , and I too had a little something . He was eating
greedily , but as I watched him , I saw that his face was becoming
drawn and waxy pale , and his strength seemed to be ebbing away .
Indeed he was so altered by this deathly change of complexion that I
panicked , thinking of those Furies of last night ; and the first piece of
bread I’d taken , not a very big one , lodged right in my throat and
refused either to go down or to come back up . What increased my
alarm was that there was almost nobody about . Who was going to
believe that one of a pair of companions had been done in without
foul play on the part of the other ? Meanwhile Socrates , having made
short work of the food , became desperately thirsty , as well he might ,
having wolfed down the best part of a first-rate cheese . Not far from
the plane tree there flowed a gentle stream , its current so slow that it
looked like a placid pool , all silver and glass . " There , " I said , " quench
your thirst in that limpid spring . " He got up , and finding a place that
sloped down to the water , he knelt and leaned over eagerly to drink .
He had hardly touched the surface with his lips when the wound in
his throat gaped wide open to the bottom and the sponge shot out ,
followed by a little blood . His lifeless body nearly pitched headlong
into the water , but I managed to get hold of one foot and drag him
laboriously up the bank . There , after mourning him as best I could in
the circumstances , I covered my unfortunate friend with the sandy
soil to rest there for ever by the river . Then , panic-stricken and in
fear of my life , I made my escape through remote and pathless
wildernesses ; and like a man with murder on his conscience I left
country and home to embrace voluntary exile . And now I have
remarried and live in Aetolia . ’

That was Aristomenes’ story . His companion , who from the start
had remained stubbornly incredulous and would have no truck with
what he told us , broke out : ‘Of all the fairytales that were ever
invented , of all the lies that were ever told , that takes the biscuit’ ; and
turning to me , ‘But you , ’ he said , ‘to judge from your dress and
appearance you’re an educated man – do you go along with this
stuff ? ’ ‘Well , ’ I said , ‘my opinion is that nothing is impossible and
that we mortals get whatever the Fates have decided for us . You , I ,
everybody , we all meet with many amazing and unprecedented
experiences , which aren’t believed when they’re told to somebody
who lacks first-hand knowledge of them . But I do , I assure you ,
believe our friend here , and I’m most grateful to him for diverting us
with such a charming and delightful story . Here I’ve got to the end of
this long and rugged road without effort and haven’t been bored . I
believe my horse too thinks you’ve done him a favour , for without tiring him I see I’ve reached the city gates transported not on his
back but , you might say , by my ears . ’

Psyche vero humi prostrata et quantum visui poterat volatus mariti prospiciens extremis affligebat lamentationibus animum . Sed ubi remigio plumae raptum maritum proceritas spatii fecerat alienum , per proximi fluminis marginem praecipitem sese dedit : sed mitis fluvius in honorem dei scilicet , qui et ipsas aquas urere consuevit , metuens sibi confestim eam innoxio volumine super ripam florentem herbis exi posuit . Tunc forte Pan deus rusticus iuxta superi cilium amnis sedebat , complexus Echo montanam deam eamque voculas omnimodas edocens recinere ; proxime ripam vago pastu lasciviunt , comam fluvii tondentes , capellae . Hircuosus deus sauciam Psychen atque defectam , utcumque casus eius non inscius , clementer ad se vocatam sic permulcet verbis lenientibus : Puella scitula , sum quidem rusticanus et upilio , sed senectutis prolixae beneficio multis experimentis instructus . Verum si recte coniecto , quod profecto prudentes viri divinationem autumant , ab isto titubante et saepius vacillante vestigio deque nimio pallore corporis et assiduo suspiritu , immo ei ipsis marcentibus oculis tuis , amore nimio laboras . Ergo mihi ausculta , nec te rursus praecipitio vel ullo mortis accersitae genere perimas . Luctum desine et pone maerorem precibusque potius Cupidinem deorum maximum percole , et utpote adolescentem delicatum luxuriosumque blandis obsequiis promerere .

Sic locuto deo pastore , nulloque sermone reddito sed adorato tantum numine salutari , Psyche pergit ire . Sed cum aliquam multum viae laboranti vestigio pererrasset , inscio quodam tramite , iam die labente , accedit quandam civitatem , in qua regnum maritus unius sororis eius obtinebat . Qua re cognita Psyche nuntiari praesentiam suam sorori desiderat ; mox inducta , mutuis amplexibus alternae salutationis expletis , percontanti causas adventus sui sic incipit : Meministi consilium vestrum , scilicet quo mihi suasistis ut bestiam , quae mariti mentito nomine mecum quiescebat , prius quam ingluvie voraci me misellam hauriret , ancipiti novacula peremerem ? Sed cum primum , ut aeque placuerat , conscio lumine vultus eius aspexi , video mirum divinumque prorsus spectaculum ; ipsum illum deae Veneris filium , ipsum inquam Cupidinem leni quiete sopitum . Ac dum tanti boni spectaculo percita et nimia voluptatis copia turbata fruendi laborarem inopia , casu scilicet pessimo lucerna fervens oleum rebullivit in eius numerum . Quo dolore statim somno recussus , ubi me ferro et igni conspexit armatam , Tu quideminquitOb istud tam dirum facinus confestim toro meo divorte tibique res tuas habeto , ego vero sororem tuam —et nomen quo tu censeris aiebat— Iam mihi confestim farreatis nuptiis coniugabo , et statim Zephyri praecipit ultra terminos me domus eius efflaret .

Necdum sermonem Psyche finierat ; illa vesanae libidinis et invidiae noxiae stimulis agitata , e re concinnato mendacio fallens maritum , quasi de morti parentum aliquid comperisset , statim navem ascendi ! et ad illum scopulum protinus pergit , et quamvis alio flante vento , caeca spe tamen inhians , Accipe me dicens Cupido , dignam te coniugem et tu , Zephyre , suscipe dominam ! saltu se maximo praecipitem dedit Nec tamen ad illum locum vel saltem mortua pervenire potuit : nam per saxa cautium membris iactatis atque dissipatis et proinde ut merebatur lacerata visceribus suis alitibus bestiisque obvium ferens pabulum interiit . Nec vindictae sequentis poena tardavit nam Psyche rursus errabundo gradu pervenit ad civitatem aliam , in qua pari modo soror morabatur alia . Nec setius et ipsa fallacie germanitatis inducta , et in sororis sceleratas nuptias aemula , festinavit ad scopulum inque simile mortis exitium cecidit .