Catullus
Catullus
Gaius Valerius Catulluswas a Latin poet of the late Roman Republic who wrote in the neoteric style of poetry. His surviving works are still read widely, and continue to influence poetry and other forms of art...
bird sparrows birdsong
Better a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.
death dark path
Who now travels that dark path from whose bourne they say no one returns. [Lat., Qui nunc it per iter tenebricosum Illue unde negant redire quemquam.]
laugh laughter silly
There is nothing sillier than a silly laugh
sweet spring sky
Now Spring restores the balmy heat, now Zephyr's sweet breezes calm the rage of the equinoctial sky.
We see not our own backs.
love giving-up long
It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem
age ill
Oh, this age! How tasteless and ill bred it is!
air lovers fit
The vows that woman makes to her fond lover are only fit to be written on air or on the swiftly passing stream.
book giving littles
To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?
love aqua air
What woman says to fond lover should be written on air or the swift water. [Lat., Mulier cupido quod dicit amanti, In vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.]