The more when ruled byPraetor, as pile the Cohort rating."Quoth they, "But certes as 'twas thereThe custom rose, some men to bearLitter thou boughtest ?" I to herTo seem but richer, wealthier,Cry, "Nay, with me 'twas not so illThat, given the Province suffered, stillEight stiff-backed loons I could not buy.'(Withal none here nor there owned IWho broken leg of Couch outwornOn nape of neck had ever borne!)Then she, as pathic piece became,"Prithee Catullus mine, those sameLend me, Serapis-wards I'd hie." "Easy, on no-wise, no," quoth I, "Whate'er was mine, I lately said Is some mistake, my camaradeOne Cinna-Gaius-bought the lot, But his or mine, it matters what?I use it freely as though bought, Yet thou, pert troubler, most absurd, None suffer'st speak an idle word."
A PARTING INSULT TO LESBIAFurius and Aurelius, Catullus' friends, Whether extremest Indian shore he brave,Strands where far-resounding billow rendsThe shattered wave,Or 'mid Hyrcanians dwell he, Arabs soft and wild,Sacis and Parthians of the arrow fain,Or where the Seven-mouth'd Nilus mud-defiled