Catullus 9 Translation
Introduction |
In this poem, Catullus shares the joy he has because of his friendship to Veranius. In the first two lines, Catullus talks about how he prefers Veranius over the 3,000 other friends. In the next two lines, he asks Veranius if he has returned home with his brothers and mother. Catullus is overjoyed that his friend has returned home.
In line six and seven, Catullus talks about how happy he is to listen to him talk about his expedition into the Hiberians. Then, Catullus talks about how happy he is to kiss Veranius’s mouth and eyes. To finish the poem, Catullus shares how he is blessed over all other men. In the final line, he shares that he is glad to be so blessed.
This is a typical poem from Catullus, but it is missing the creative plays on words. This is simply a loving poem to his friend Veranius, as he has been away from home. Catullus wrote several poems like this to other people that he loved. These simple odes are in stark contrast to the angry poems that he wrote to men like Mamurra, as those are full of disgust.
This poem is one that anyone would be pleased to receive. It almost reads with the simplicity of a greeting card that one might send to a friend or lover who is returning home from a long vacation. The statement that Catullus prefers Veranius to his 3,000 other friends is hyperbole that would also be appropriate for a modern greeting card.
The poem is filled with anticipation of his friend returning so they can talk and share physical affection with each other. It is certain that Catullus loves this man, as he does not complain about him in anyway in the poem. Catullus would occasionally complain about Lesbia and how she did not live up to her promises to love him as he loved her.
Carmen 9 |
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VERANI, omnibus e meis amicis | Veranius, preferred by me to three hundred thousand |
| 2 | antistans mihi milibus trecentis, | Out of all the number of my friends, |
| 3 | uenistine domum ad tuos penates | have you then come to your own hearth |
| 4 | fratresque unanimos anumque matrem? | and your affectionate brothers and aged mother? |
| 5 | uenisti. o mihi nuntii beati! | You have indeed. O joyful new to me ! |
| 6 | uisam te incolumem audiamque Hiberum | I shall look upon you safe returned, and hear you |
| 7 | narrantem loca, facta nationes, | telling of the country, the history, the various tribes of the Hiberians, |
| 8 | ut mos est tuus, applicansque collum | as is your way, and drawing your neck nearer to me |
| 9 | iucundum os oculosque suauiabor. | I shall kiss your beloved mouth and eyes. |
| 10 | o quantum est hominum beatiorum, | O, of all men blest than other, |
| 11 | quid me laetius est beatiusue? | who is more glad, more blest than I? |
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Resources |
VRoma Project: http://www.vroma.org/~hwalker/VRomaCatullus/009.html
