Gaius Valerius Catullus
84-54 BCE (over 2,000 years ago)
trans RMBullard Latin (Golden Age)
Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes/tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque.
(You ask how many of your kisses might be enough for me and more;)
quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae/lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis/oraclum Jovis inter aestuosi/et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum;
(As great a number of the Libyan sands that lies in cactus-bearing Cyrene, between the temple of the blazing Jove and the sacred tomb of ancient Battus;)
aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox/furtivos hominum vident amores:
(Or as many as the many stars, when the night is silent; they witness the secret passions of men;)
tam te basia multa basiare/vesano satis et super Catullo est/quae nec pernumerare curiosi/possint nec mala fascinare lingua.
(So many many kisses and above is enough and more for maddened Catullus to kiss, which neither curious men can count completely nor stand by with a jealous tongue.)
84-54 BCE (over 2,000 years ago)
trans RMBullard Latin (Golden Age)
Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes/tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque.
(You ask how many of your kisses might be enough for me and more;)
quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae/lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis/oraclum Jovis inter aestuosi/et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum;
(As great a number of the Libyan sands that lies in cactus-bearing Cyrene, between the temple of the blazing Jove and the sacred tomb of ancient Battus;)
aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox/furtivos hominum vident amores:
(Or as many as the many stars, when the night is silent; they witness the secret passions of men;)
tam te basia multa basiare/vesano satis et super Catullo est/quae nec pernumerare curiosi/possint nec mala fascinare lingua.
(So many many kisses and above is enough and more for maddened Catullus to kiss, which neither curious men can count completely nor stand by with a jealous tongue.)
