| QUAERIS, QUOT MIHI BASIATIONES ... | HOW MANY KISSES SATISFY |
| Catullus (Gaius Valerius Catullus) | tr. Humphrey Clucas |
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Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque. quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum; aut, quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox, furtivos hominum vident amores; tam te basia multa basiare vesano satis et super Catullo est, quae nec pernumerare curiosi possint nec mala fascinare lingua. |
How many kisses satisfy, You ask; how many overwhelm? As if you'd make reckoning Of the grains of Libyan desert sand In Cyrene, where the sylphium grows, Between the oracle Of sweltering Jove and the sacred tomb Of old Battus - or catalogue The stars that watch our stolen love These quiet nights. Only Infinite kissing satisfies (And more) your mad Catullus - kisses Beyond the range of an evil eye Or a wicked tongue's bewitching. |
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Transl. Copyright © Humphrey Clucas 1985 - publ. Agenda Editions & Hippopotamus Press
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