Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation page 1 /9

Praelusio Prelude
Young men and women, couples, are cavorting
together, observed by a group of old men.
Juvenes, Juvencelae
Eis aiona, eis aiona, tui sum. Young Men & Women
Forever, forever, I am yours.
Juvencelae
Tui sum. Young Women
I am yours.
Juvenes, Juvencelae
O mea vita. Young Men & Women
Eis aiona, tui sum. Eis aiona! You are my life.
Forever, I am yours. Forever!
Juvenes,
Tu mihi cara, mi cara amicula Young Men
corculum es! You are my darling,
my dear one, my sweetheart.
Juvencelae
Cornulum es! Young Women
You are my sweetheart!
Juvenes
Tu mihi corculum, tu mihi corculum! Young Men
You are my sweetheart, my sweetheart!
Juvencelae
Corcule, corcule Young Women
Dic mi, dic mi, a te me amari? Dear one, dear one,
Tell me, tell me, are you my love?
Juvenes
O tui oculi, ocelli lucidi Young Men
Fulgurant, efferunt me velut specula O your eyes, your shining eyes,
They glitter, inspiring me to hope.
Juvencelae
Specula, specula tu mihi specula? Young Women
Hope, hope, are you my hope?
Juvenes
O tua blandula, blanda, blandicula, Young Men
blanda, blandicula tua labella. Oh your charming, flattering, alluring-
Your charming, alluring, lips.
Juvencelae
Cave, cave, cave cavete! Young Women
Watch out, watch out, beware!
Juvenes
….ad ludum prolectant Young Men
…they entice us to games (of love).
Juvencelae
Cave, cave, cave cavete! Young Women
Watch out, watch out, beware!
Juvenes
O tua lingula, lingula, lingula Young Men
Usque perniciter, vibrans ut vipera Ah, your tongue, your tongue,
Always quick, darting like a viper.
Juvencelae
Cave, cave, cave cavete, Young Women
Cave meam viperam, nisi te mordet. Watch out, watch out, beware!
Beware of my viper, it may try to bite you.
Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation page 2 /9

Juvenes Young Men

Morde me! Bite me!

Juvencelae Young Women

Basia me! Kiss me!
Juvenes Young Men
O tuae mammulae… Oh your breasts…
Juvenculue Young Women
…Mammulae… …breasts…
Juvenes, Juvencelae Young Men & Women
...mammulae molliculae… …supple breasts…
Juvenes, Young Men
..dulciter turgidae, gemine pomo!! …sweetly swelling, like twin apples!
Mea manus est cupida, My hands are longing,
O vos papillae horridulae! O you thrusting nipples!
Mea manus est cupida, illas prensare My hands are longing to grasp them.
Juvenculae Young Women
Suave, suave, lenire. Delightful, delightful, such pleasure

Juvenes, Young Men

illas prensare, vehementer prensare to grasp them, to passionately grasp them.
Juvenculae Young Women
O tua mentula, mentula, … O your phallus, your phallus, …

Juvenes Young Men

Mentula… …phallus…
Juvenculae Young Women
Cupide saliens .. …longing to rise,
Juvenes Young Men
..peni peniculus… …the penis, the little penis,
Juvenculae Young Women
..velut pisciculus, …just like a little fish,
Juvenes Young Men
..is qui desiderat tuam fonticulam …which desires your little pond.

Juvenculae Young Women

Mea manus est cupida,
coda, codicula, avida, avida!
Mea manus est cupida, illam captare.
Juvenes
Petulanti marticula!
My hand is longing.
Your tail, your little tail is eager, eager!
My hand is longing to seize it.
Young Men
Mischievous little hands!
Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation
Juvenculae
…illam captare.
Juvenes
Tu est Venus, Venus es!
Juvenculae
O me felicem, o me felicem!
Juvenes
In te, in te, in te habitant
Omnia gaudia, omnes dulcedines, omnis
voluptas. In te, in te, in tuo amplexu
In tuta ingenti amplexu
Yota est, tota est mihi vita.
Juvenculae
O me felicem!
Juvenes, Juveaculae
Eis aiona!
Senes
Eis aiona! Eis aiona! Eis aiona!
O res ridicula, immensa stultitia!
Nil, nihil durare potest tempore perpetuo
Cum bene Sol nituit redditur Oceano,
Decrescit Phoebe, quaemodo plena fuit.
Venrum feritas
Saepe, saepe, fit aura levis.
Tempus, tempus amoris cubiculum non est,
Sublata lucerna nulla est fides:
Per fida omnia sunt.
O vos brutos, vos stupidos, vos stolidos!
Senex
Lantenari, tene scaiam!
Senes
Audite, audite, audite ac videte:
Catulli Carmina, Catulli Carmina!
Juvenes, Juveaculae
Audiamus!
page 3 /9
Young Women
..to seize it.
Young Men
You are Venus, Venus!
Young Women
How happy I am, how happy!
Young Men
In you, in you dwells
All joy, all sweet delight, all pleasure.
In you, in your embrace,
In your fervent embrace,
Is all, is all my life.
Young Women
How happy I am!
Young Men & Women
Forever!
Old men
Forever! Forever! Forever!
How ridiculous, utter folly!
Nothing, nothing can last forever
As the sun begins to shine on the ocean,
The moon wanes, which was just now full.
Love’s fire often changes,
Fades, fades to a gentle breeze.
Time, the time for love is not in the bedroom,
Under the lamp’s light (you can see) there is no
faithfulness: All is deceit.
O you dullards, you stupid, unthinking men!
Old man
Lantern-bearer, hold the ladder!
Old Men
Listen, listen, listen and see!
The Songs of Catullus, The Songs of Catullus!
Young Men & Women
We listen!
The theatrical play begins.
Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation
Acutus I
I: Catulli Carmen #85
Chorus
Odi et amo.
Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris.
Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior
II: Catulli Carmen #5
Catullus, then the chorus
Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus,
Rumoresque senum severiorum
Omnes unius aestimemus assis!
Catullus & chorus
Soles occidere et redire possunt:
Nobis cum semel occidit brevis lux,
Nox est pepertua una dormienda.
Catullus
Da mi basia!
Chorus
Da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
Dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
Deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.
Dein, cum milia multa fecerimus,
Conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,
Aut nequis malus invidere possit,
Cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.
Catullus
Da mi basia, basia, basia…
III: Catulli Carmen #51
Catullus
Ille mi par esse deo videtur,
Ille, si fas est, superare divos,
Qui sedens adversus identidem te
Spectat et audit dulce ridentem,
Lesbia
Ridentem
Catullus
Misero quod omnis eripit sensus mihi:
Nam simul te, Lesbia, adspexi, nihil est super
mi…
page 4 /9
Act I
Catullus leans on a column.
I:
Chorus
I hate and love. Why do I do both, you may ask?
I do not know, but I sense it happening,
and it tortures me.
Lesbia enters. Catullus and Lesbia stand
together
II:
Catullus, then the chorus
Let us live, my Lesbia, together in love
Regard the mumblings of old men,
As nearly worthless!
Catullus & chorus
Suns set and rise again:
For when our short-lived light fades,
We will sleep together in the eternal night.
Catullus
Kiss me!
Chorus
Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred,
then another thousand, and a second hundred,
then still another thousand, and a hundred more.
Then, with many thousands more,
until we are confused as to the count,
so that no one can be jealous of
the number of our kisses.
Catullus
Kiss me, kiss me….
III: Catullus and Lesbia sit by a column
Catullus
He seems to me like a god.
He, if I may, appears to surpass the gods,
The man who sits opposite you, ever
watching and listening to your sweet laughter…
Lesbia
…laughter…
Catullus
…which miserably robs me of all sense.
Just as, Lesbia, beholding you, I am overcome…
Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation page 5 /9

Lesbia Lesbia
…super mi… …overcome…

Catullus Catullus
Lingua sed torpet, my tongue grows numb,
tenuis sub artus flamma demanat, an exquisite flame flows down my limbs,
sonitu suopte titinant aures, my ears ring with sound,
gemina teguntur lumina nocte. both of my eyes are dim as the night.

Lesbia Lesbia
Nocte. ..the night.

Catullus falls asleep in Lebia’s lap.

Chorus
Otium, Catulle, tibit molestum’st,
Otio exultas nimiumque gestis:
otium et reges prius et beatas perdidit urbes.
Chorus
Idleness, Catullus, is what troubles you:
You are enthralled with idleness, and it is too
much to bear,
Idleness has ruined kings and affluent cities.

Lesbia leaves Catullus sleeping.

Lesbia dances in a tavern before her admirers.

Meanwhile Catullus awakens. Caelius enters,
and Catullus despairs.

IV: Cattuli Carmen #58 IV:

Catullus
Calei, Lesbia nostra, Lesbia illa,
Illa Lesbia, quam Catullus unam
Plus quam se atque suos amavit omnes,
Chorus
Nunc in quadriviis et angiportis
Glubit magnanimi Remi nepotes.
Catullus
Caelius, our Lesbia, that Lesbia,
the Lesbia, who Catullus loved more than
himself, more than all who were his,
Chorus
Now (they are) left at street corners and down
alleys, those descendants of the noble Remus.

Catullus Catullus
O mea Lesbia! O my Lesbia!

V Catulli Carmina #70 V

Catullus & Chorus
Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere malle
Quam mihi, non si se Juppiter ispe petat.
Dicit: sed mulier cupido quod dicit amanti
In vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.
Senes
Placet, placet, placet,
Optime, optime, optime!
Catullus and Chorus
My love says there is no one she would prefer to
marry than me, not even if Jupiter himself
should ask her. She declares: yet, what a woman
tells the lover she desires is as a breath of wind
and as though written in swiftly running water.
old men applaud, saying:
Bravo, bravo, bravo,
It is true, it is true!
Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation
Actus II
VI Catulli Carmina 109
Chorus
Jucundum, mea vita, mihi proponis amorem.
Huc nostrum inter not sperpetuumque fore
Lesbia
Dorm, dormi, dormi ancora
Chorus
Jucundum, mea vita, mihi proponis amorem
Huc nostrum inter not sperpetuumque fore.
Di magni, facite ut vere promittere posit,
atque sincere dicat et ex animo,
ut liceat nobis tota perducere vita
aetermum hoc sanctae foedus amicitiae.
Lesbia
Dorm, dormi, dormi ancora
VII: Catulli Carmen #73
Catullus
O mea Lesbia!
Chorus
Desine de quoquam quicquam bene velle mereri,
Aut aliquem fieri posse putare pium.
Omnia sunt ingrate, nil, nil fecisse benigne
Immo etiam taedet obestque magis;
Ut mihi quem nemo gravius nec acerbius urget,
quam mado qui me unum atque unicum amicum
habuit. Omnai sunt ingrata.
Senes
Placet, placet, placet,
Optime, optime, optime!
page 6 /9
Act II
Night. Catullus is asleep in the street in front
of Lesbia’s house. In a dream, he sees though
the transparent walls of the house to watch
himself lying on the couch passionately
embracing Lesbia.
VI
Chorus
My life, I promise that this love we share will
always be enchanting and will last forever.
Lesbia caresses him lovingly.
Lesbia
Sleep, sleep, sleep still…
Chorus
My life, I promise that this love we share will
always be enchanting and will last forever.
Great Gods, let her truly vow, and say it
genuinely from her heart, that we may be
granted, throughout out lives, to continue in this
sacred bond.
Lesbia
Sleep, sleep, still…
Love Scene
Catullus wakes from his dream. He realizes
Caellus is with Lesbia, in his place. The walls
of the house become opaque, Catullus is in
darkness and despairs.
VII:
Catullus
O, my Lesbia!
Chorus
Stop expecting anything good from anyone; stop
thinking anyone can ever be righteous.
All things are unappreciated. Good deeds are
nothing, indeed, wearisome and an utter nuisance;
As for myself, no one more deeply or severely
distresses me than the one who was once my one
and only friend. All things are unappreciated.
old men applaud, saying:
Bravo, bravo, bravo,
It is true, it is true!
Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation
Actus III
VIII: Cartulli Carmen #85
Chorus
Odi et amo.
Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris.
Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.
IX: Catulli Carmen #32
Catullus
Amabo, mea dulcis Ipsitilla,
Meae deliciae, mei lepores
Iube ad te veniam meridiatum.
Et si iusseris illud adiuvato,
Ne quis liminis observet tabellam,
neu tibi libeat foras abira,
Sed domi maneas paresque nobis
Novem continuas fututiones.
Verum si quid ages, statim iubeto:
Nam pransus iaceo et satur supinus
Pertundo tunicamque palliumque.
X: Cartulli Carmen #41
Chorus
Ha, ha, ha
Catullus
Ameana puella defututa
Tota millia me decem poposcit,
Ista turpinculo puella naso,
Decoctoris amica Formiani.
Propinqui, quibus est puella curae,
Amicos medicosque convocate:
Non est sana puella,
Nec rogate quails sit, solide est imaginosa
page 7 /9
Act III
Morning. Catullus leans on a pillar.
VIII:
Chorus
I hate and love. Why do I do both, you may ask?
I do not know, but I sense it happening,
and it tortures me.
Ipstilla, a beautiful young woman, appears at a
window. Enflamed with passion, Catullus
writes her a letter.
IX:
Catullus
My beloved, my sweet Ipsitilla,
My darling, my charming love,
Tell me to come to you in the afternoon.
And if you so command me, be sure no one
blocks the door-way.
And please do not go out, but stay at home and
prepare yourself for nine uninterrupted acts of
love!
In fact, if you request, I will come at once;
For I have eaten lunch and lie down, sated, my
member poking through my tunic and cloak.
X: Ameana, an old prostitute, assails Catullus
Chorus
Ha, ha, ha, ha
Catullus
Ameana, that worn-out whore
Asked me for ten thousand,
The one with the ugly nose,
Mistress of the bankrupt Formianus.
Call relatives to care for her,
Send for her friends and the medics: she is not
sane: she does not ask for the (small) amount she
is worth, she should be made to see her (true)
appearance.
Catullus pushes Ameana away.
Searching among the strolling lovers and
courtesans, Catullus looks only for Lesbia.
Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation
XI: Catulli Carmen #8
Chorus
Miser Catulle, desinas ineptire,
Et quod vides perisse, perditum ducas.
Fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles,
Cum ventitabas quo peulla ducebat
Amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla.
Ibi illa multa tum iocosa fiebant,
Quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat.
Fulsere vere candidi tibi soles.
Nuc iam illa non vult:
to quoque impotens noli,
Nec quae fugit sectare, nec miser vive,
Sed obstinate mente prefer, obdura.
Vale, puella! Iam Catullus obdurat,
Nec te requiret nec rogabit invitam:
At tu dolebis, cum regaboeris nulla.
Scelesta, vae te!
Quae tibit manet vita! Quis nuc te adibit?
Cui videberis bella? Quem nunc amabit?
Cullus esse diceris? Cui quem labella mordebis,
cui quem labella mordebis?
At tu, Catulle, destinatus obdura.
Lesbia
Catulle!
Catullus
Lesbia!
XII: Catulli Carmina #87 & #75
Catullus
Nulla potest mulier…
Chorus
Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatam
vere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea’s:
Catullus
Nulla fides…
page 8 /9
XI:
Chorus
Poor Catulus, cease being a fool,
See what is lost, and this you must accept.
Once brightly the sun shone on you,
And you went wherever your lover led,
Since you loved her more than any other.
Then, there were many amusing times, in which
your wishes were followed, she did not refuse you.
Truly the sun shone brilliantly for you then.
Now, she is not willing: Today you are as she
once was, powerless to refuse.
Do not pursue her, or live in misery,
but be strong, choose to be unyielding.
Goodbye, my dear! Catullus is resolved,
He will not seek you, or woo you against your
will: but you will know regret, when no one
courts you.
Wretched woman, woe to you!
What a life awaits you! Who will visit now?
Who will think you beautiful? Whom will you
love? Who will declare their love for you?
Whose lips will you kiss, whose lips will you
bite?
But you, Catullus, be strong, be resolute.
Among the lovers, Catullus staggers and
topples to the ground. Caelius and Lesbia
enter. Lesbia sees Catullus and cries out to
him. Catullus cries out to her, but pushes her
away.
Lesbia
Catullus!
Catullus
Lesbia!
Catullus leans on a column.
XII
Catullus
No woman can…
Chorus
No woman can claim to have been truly loved as
much my Lesbia has been loved by me:
Catullus
No such faithfulness…
Catulli Carmina – Text and Translation page 9 /9

Chorus
Chorus No such faithfulness has been found in any vow,
Nulla fides ullo fuit umquam in foedere tanta, nor did any find so great a love. Now is my
Quanta in amore tuo ex parte reperta mea est. reason shattered, because of you.
Nunc est mens diducta tua,
Catullus
Catullus My Lesbia, you are to blame…
Mea Lesbia, culpa,
Chorus
Chorus I am also ruined by my own devotion to you.
Atque ita se officio perdidit ipsa suo, tua
Catullus
Catullus My Lesbia, you are to blame…
Mea Lesbia, culpa,
Chorus
Chorus I cannot now wish you well,
ut iam nec bene velle queat tibi, however virtuous you may become;
si optima fias, nec desistere amare, nor can I cease to love you,

Catullus & Chorus

Catullus & Chorus Whatever you may do.
Omnia si facias.
Lesbia flees into the house in despair.

The theatrical play is over.

Exodium
Exodium
The young mean and women take no heed of
what they have seen, and are aroused anew to
mutual ardor.
Young Men & Women
Juvenes, Juveaculae Forever, forever, I am yours!
Eis aiona! Eis aiona! Tui sum!
Old men
Senes Ah, me!
Oi me!
Young Men & Women
Juvenes, Juveaculae Forever! Kindle the flame!
Eis aiona! Accendite faces!!

Note:
Only a fraction of the repetition of text in the score is included here. Translation is sometimes literal, sometimes
poetic license freely applied. Corrections and suggestions appreciated (e-mail sm.banks@mindspring.com).
This original translation intended for use by Chora Nova. Includes notes of Catullus poem numbers and notes
on dramatic setting of the work (adapted from multiple sources). Some text spelling and punctuation
corrections taken from Project Gutenberg Ebook of Catulli Carmina by C. Varius Catullus & Robin Ellis and
from rudy.negenborn.net/catullus/text2/f1.htm
Useful websites:
Summary/review of work and recording used for practice CD: inkpot.com/classical/catulli.html
Compilation of Catullus’ poems with audio files of readings in Latin, multiple translations, etc:
rudy.negenborn.net/catullus/?l=l