Gallus is charming as man; for sweet loves ever conjoins he,So that the charming lad sleep wi' the charmer his lass.Gallus is foolish wight, nor self regards he as husband,When being uncle how nuncle to cuckold he show.
OF LESBIUS.Lesbius is beauty-man: why not? when Lesbia wills himBetter, Catullus, than thee backed by the whole of thy clan.Yet may that beauty-man sell all his clan with Catullus,An of three noted names greeting salute he can gain.
TO GELLIUS.How shall I (Gellius!) tell what way lips rosy as thine areCome to be bleached and blanched whiter than wintry snow,When as thou quittest the house a-morn, and at two after noon-tideRoused from quiet repose, wakest for length of the day?Certès sure am I not an Rumour rightfully whisper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TO JUVENTIUS.Could there never be found in folk so thronging (Juventius!)Any one charming thee whom thou couldst fancy to love,Save and except that host from deadliest site of Pisaurum,Wight than a statue gilt wanner and yellower-hued,Whom to thy heart thou takest and whom thou darest before usChoose? But villain what deed doest thou little canst wot!
TO QUINTIUS.Quintius! an thou wish that Catullus should owe thee his eyesOr aught further if aught dearer can be than his eyes,