Catullus 46 Translation
Introduction |
In this poem, Catullus shares the joy of spring bringing warmth back to the land. He also shares his joy in looking forward to traveling, which continues to make people happy today. In line one, Catullus begins with spring brining back balmy warmth with pleasant alliteration. In the second line, he refers to the west wind by mentioning Zephyr, the god of the west wind, the warmest of the winds. Catullus talks about how Zephyr quiets the rage of the equinoctial sky when the days and nights are the same length.
Catullus then talks about the places he is going and leaving. In line four, he talks about leaving the Phrygian plains and the land of Nicaea in line five. Then, in line six, he writes about how he would like to fly to the cities of Asia. It appears that Catullus has a case of spring fever and wanderlust as he writes about his soul fluttering in anticipation of wandering. His feet are eager to sing and become strong.
In line nine, he bids farewell to other travellers, who he calls “fellow travellers” as they start on their journey far from home. Then, he finishes the poem by talking about how the travellers eventually come back home after seeing their various scenes.
This is a hopeful poem from Catullus where he shows enthusiasm for the changing season. It is easy to relate to, especially for people who do experience the changing seasons. There is a sense of needing to escape after being tied up inside for the whole winter. Once the season changes to spring and the weather warms up, the desire to get out of town still lives on today. Catullus wrote this when he was far from home in the land of Bithynia. While it is nice to get away, it is also nice to go home after a long trip away. Travelling brings joy.
Carmen 46 |
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IAM uer egelidos refert tepores, | Now spring brings back balmy warmth, |
| 2 | iam caeli furor aequinoctialis | now the sweet gales of Zephyr are hushing |
| 3 | iucundis Zephyri silescit aureis. | the rage of the equinoctal sky. |
| 4 | linquantur Phrygii, Catulle, campi | Deserted be fhe Phrygian plains, Catullus, |
| 5 | Nicaeaeque ager uber aestuosae: | and the rich land of burning Nicaea: |
| 6 | ad claras Asiae uolemus urbes. | away let us fly to the renowned cities of Asia. |
| 7 | iam mens praetrepidans auet uagari, | Now my sould flutters in antIcipation and yearns to stray; |
| 8 | iam laeti studio pedes uigescunt. | now my eager feet rejoice and grow strong. |
| 9 | o dulces comitum ualete coetus, | Farewell, dear bands of fellow travellers, |
| 10 | longe quos simul a domo profectos | who started together from your far-away home, |
| 11 | diuersae uarie uiae reportant. | and whom divided ways through changing scenes are bringing back again. |
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Resources |
VRoma Project: http://www.vroma.org/~hwalker/VRomaCatullus/046.html
