| PASSER, DELICIAE MEAE PUELLAE ... |
SPARROW, LITTLE DARLING OF MY LOVE ... |
| Catullus (Gaius Valerius Catullus) | tr. Arthur McHugh |
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! | My darling's darling, little bird she likes to play with, to hold in her lap, to tempt with a finger-tip so as to get a sharp nip - because my bright-eyed beloved (I think) cools her fierce passion and soothes her ache with such fun-and-games - if only I could play with you the way she does and so cheer myself up a bit! |
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Trans. Copyright © Arthur McHugh 2007