Catullus 15 Translation
Introduction |
Catullus does not want Aurelius to have an affair with his lover Juventius. In this poem, Catullus asks Aurelius a modest favor: to keep his boyfriend safe. He wants Juventius to be pure and free of stain. In line nine, Catullus shares that he is afraid of Aurelius and his penis. In line 10, he shares that the penis is fatal to young boys, whether they are good or bad people.
In lines 11 and 12, Catullus tells Aurelius that he can use his penis anywhere he wants. He can indulge it wherever he pleases. But in line 13, he asks Aurelius to leave Juventius alone – to spare him. To prove his point, Catullus then threatens Aurelius. He tells him in lines 14 through 19, that if he does commit the crime against him, Aurelius will be humiliated. Catullus refers to Aurelius committing a “heinous crime or treason.” If Aurelius does this, Catullus will pity his sad fate, which will be to spread his anus and fill it with radishes and fish in front of the entire city.
Catullus has threatened Aurelius with humiliation in other poems, as he clearly does not want the man to have sexual relations with Juventius. He is serious about keeping Juventius for himself, and it appears that nothing is off limits when it comes to threats.
Catullus is not worried about things happening to Juventius while he is out in public on the streets. In lines six through eight, Catullus writes that he is not worried about the “vulgar throng” (the people in the streets of Rome) and he is not afraid of what happens in the streets as people are involved in business.
He is only worried about Aurelius and what he could do to Juventius, sexually. Could Catullus be worried that Juventius might like Aurelius more? Especially if his penis is “fatal” to other men. All of this focus on Aurelius could be a sign that Catullus is insecure about his own ability to keep Juventius for himself.
Carmen 15 |
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | COMMENDO tibi me ac meos amores, | To you, Aurelius, I entrust my all, even my loved, |
| 2 | Aureli. ueniam peto pudentem, | and I ask a favour of you, a modest favour. |
| 3 | ut, si quicquam animo tuo cupisti, | If have ever with all your soul desired |
| 4 | quod castum expeteres et integellum, | to keep anything pure and free from stain, |
| 5 | conserues puerum mihi pudice, | then guard my boy-friend now in safety, |
| 6 | non dico a populo– nihil ueremur | I don’t mean from the vulgar throng; I have no fear |
| 7 | istos, qui in platea modo huc modo illuc | of such as pass to and fro in our streets |
| 8 | in re praetereunt sua occupati– | absorbed in their own business. |
| 9 | uerum a te metuo tuoque pene | it’s you I fear, you and your penis, |
| 10 | infesto pueris bonis malisque. | so fatal to the young boys, both good and bad alike. |
| 11 | quem tu qua lubet, ut lubet moueto | Give that penis play where and how you please, |
| 12 | quantum uis, ubi erit foris paratum: | ever ready for indulgence when you walk abroad. |
| 13 | hunc unum excipio, ut puto, pudenter. | This one boy I would have you spare: I think it’s a modest request. |
| 14 | quod si te mala mens furorque uecors | And if a wicked mind and infatuate frenzy |
| 15 | in tantam impulerit, sceleste, culpam, | drive you to the heinous crime |
| 16 | ut nostrum insidiis caput lacessas. | of treason against me, |
| 17 | a tum te miserum malique fati! | ah! then I pity you for your sad fate. |
| 18 | quem attractis pedibus patente porta | For before the city’s gaze with your legs and back-door spread out |
| 19 | percurrent raphanique mugilesque. | radishes and mullets will be stuck into you. |
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Resources |
VRoma Project: http://www.vroma.org/~hwalker/VRomaCatullus/015x.html
