me, dear Catullus, 25
Those same nobodies. I the great Sarapis
Go to visit awhile.' Said I in answer,

'Thanks; but, lady, for all my easy boasting,
'Twas too summary; there's a friend who knows me,
Cinna Gaius, his the sturdy bearers. 30

'Mine or Cinna's, an inch alone divides us,
I use Cinna's, as e'en my own possession.
But you're really a bore, a very tiresome
Dame unmannerly, thus to take me napping.'

XI.

Furius and Aurelius, O my comrades,
Whether your Catullus attain to farthest
Ind, the long shore lash'd by reverberating
Surges Eoan;
Hyrcan or luxurious horde Arabian, 5
Sacan or grim Parthian arrow-bearer,
Fields the rich Nile discolorates, a seven-fold
River abounding;
Whether o'er high Alps he afoot ascending
Track the long records of a mighty Caesar, 10
Rhene, the Gauls' deep river, a lonely Britain
Dismal in ocean;
This, or aught else haply the gods determine,
Absolute, you, with me in all to part not;
Bid my love greet, bear her a little errand, 15
Scarcely of honour.
Say 'Live on yet, still given o'er to nameless
Lords, within one bosom, a many wooers,
Clasp'd, as unlov'd each, so in hourly change all
Lewdly disabled. 20
'Think not henceforth, thou, to recal Catullus'
Love; thy own sin slew it, as on the meadow's
Verge declines, ungently beneath the plough-share
Stricken, a flower.'

XII.

Marrucinian Asinius, hardly civil
Left-hand practices o'er the merry wine-cup.
Watch occasion, anon remove the napkin.
Call this drollery? Trust me, friend, it is not.
'Tis most beastly, a trick among a thousand. 5

Not believe me? believe a friendly brother,
Laughing Pollio; he declares a talent
Poor indemnification, he the parlous
Child of voluble humour and facetious.

So face hendecasyllables, a thousand, 10
Or most speedily send me back the napkin;
Gift not prized at a sorry valuation,
But for company; 'twas a friend's memento.

Cloth of Saetabis, exquisite, from utmost