| QUAERIS, QUOT MIHI BASIATIONES ... | YOU ASK, MY LESBIA, HOW MANY ... |
| Catullus (Gaius Valerius Catullus) | tr. Daniel San |
|
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. |
You ask, my Lesbia, how many of your kisses are enough and more than enough for me. As big a number as the Libyan grains of sand that lie at silphium producing Cyrene between the oracle of Sultry Jupiter and the sacred tomb of old Battus; Or as many stars that see the secret love affairs of men, when the night is silent. So many kisses are enough and more than enough for mad Catullus to kiss you, these kisses which neither the inquisitive are able to count nor an evil tongue bewitch. |
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See also: http://www.negenborn.net/catullus/
Transl. Copyright © Daniel San 2004