FABULLUS IS INVITED TO A POET'S SUPPER.

Thou'lt sup right well with me, Fabúllus mine,

In days few-numbered an the Gods design,

An great and goodly meal thou bring wi' thee

Nowise forgetting damsel bright o' blee,

With wine, and salty wit and laughs all-gay. 5

An these my bonny man, thou bring, I say

Thou'lt sup right well, for thy Catullus' purse

Save web of spider nothing does imburse.

But thou in countergift mere loves shalt take

Or aught of sweeter taste or fairer make: 10

I'll give thee unguent lent my girl to scent

By every Venus and all Cupids sent,

Which, as thou savour, pray Gods interpose

And thee, Fabúllus, make a Naught-but-nose.

Thou shalt feast well with me, my Fabullus, in a few days, if the gods

favour thee, provided thou dost bear hither with thee a good and great

feast, not forgetting a fair damsel and wine and wit and all kinds of

laughter. Provided, I say, thou dost bear hither these, our charming one,

thou wilt feast well: for thy Catullus' purse is brimful of cobwebs. But in

return thou may'st receive a perfect love, or whatever is sweeter or more

elegant: for I will give thee an unguent which the Loves and Cupids gave

unto my girl, which when thou dost smell it, thou wilt entreat the gods to

make thee, O Fabullus, one total Nose!

The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus · 第 57 / 372 题