Kate Cottrell

Catullus 76

Kate Cottrell /
  • Created on 2022-06-02 14:59:40
  • Modified on 2022-06-02 15:33:35
  • Translated by Peters & Kline
  • Aligned by Kate Cottrell
Latin
English
English
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 subito 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 former
good deeds , when he thinks himself to be dutiful ,
nor to have violated a sacred trust , nor in any contract
of the gods abused divine power to deceive men ,
much joy remains for you , Catullus , in this long life ,
furnished from this thankless love .
For whatever man can either say or do well
for anyone , this has been said and done by you :
having been entrusted to an ungrateful heart , all that perished .
Therefore , why do you now suffer more ?
Why not be obstinate in your mind and bring yourself back from thence
and cease to be unhappy in front of the unwilling gods .
It is difficult to set aside a longstanding love .
it is difficult , but let us do it at any hazard .
This is the only safety , and you must overcome this ,
whether it is not possible or it is possible .
O gods , if it is your will to have pity ,
or if you have ever brought your help to any already
at the extreme , in death itself , look upon my unhappiness and ,
if I have lived life in a pure manner ,
remove this plague and ruin from me ,
which stealing upon me inmost as a lethargy in my limbs
expelled the happiness from all my heart .
I no longer ask for that , that she chooses me in return ,
or , because it is not possible , she chooses to be chaste :
I wish that I myself be healthy and put aside this horrible disease .
O gods , give this back to me for my piety .
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 .

( 213 ) 97% LAT
( 7 ) 3% LAT - ENG

( 12 ) 4% LAT - ENG
( 291 ) 96% ENG

( 12 ) 4% LAT - ENG
( 291 ) 96% ENG

Catullus 2

Kate Cottrell /
  • Created on 2022-06-02 19:21:10
  • Modified on 2022-06-02 19:26:03
  • Translated by Fortaperus & Kline
  • Aligned by Kate Cottrell
Latin
English
English
Passer , deliciae meae puellae ,
quicum ludere , quem in sinu tenere ,
cui primum digitum dare appetenti
et acris solet incitare morsus ,
cum desiderio meo nitenti
carum nescio quid lubet iocari
et solaciolum sui doloris ,
credo ut tum gravis acquiescat ardor :
tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem
et tristis animi levare curas !
Sparrow , favorite of my girl ,
with whom she is accustomed to play , whom she is accustomed to hold in her lap ,
for whom , seeking greedily , she is accustomed to give her index finger
and to provoke sharp bites .
When it is pleasing for my shining desire
to make some kind of joke
and a relief of her grief .
I believe , so that her heavy passion may become quiet .
If only I were able to play with you yourself , and
to lighten the sad cares of your mind .
Sparrow , my sweet girl’s delight ,
whom she plays with , holds to her breast ,
whom , greedy , she gives her little finger to ,
often provoking you to a sharp bite ,
whenever my shining desire wishes
to play with something she loves ,
I suppose , while strong passion abates ,
it might be a small relief from her pain :
might I toy with you as she does
and ease the cares of a sad mind !

( 49 ) 86% LAT
( 8 ) 14% LAT - ENG

( 13 ) 13% LAT - ENG
( 86 ) 87% ENG

( 13 ) 13% LAT - ENG
( 86 ) 87% ENG