| QVAERIS, quot mihi basiationes |
1 |
You ask how many kissings
of you, |
| tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque. |
2 |
Lesbia, are for me and
more than enough. |
| quam magnus numerus Libyssae
harenae |
3 |
As great as the number
of the Libyan sand |
| lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis |
4 |
that lies on silphium-bearing
Cyrene, |
| oraclum Iouis inter aestuosi |
5 |
between the oracle of
sultry Jove |
| et Batti ueteris sacrum
sepulcrum; |
6 |
and the sacred tomb of
old Battus; |
| aut quam sidera multa,
cum tacet nox, |
7 |
or as many as the stars,
when night is silent, |
| furtiuos hominum uident
amores: |
8 |
that see the stolen loves
of men, |
| tam te basia multa basiare |
9 |
to kiss you with so many
kisses |
| uesano satis et super
Catullo est, |
10 |
is enough and more than
enough for your Catullus; |
| quae nec pernumerare curiosi |
11 |
kisses, which neither
curious eyes may count up |
| possint nec mala fascinare
lingua. |
12 |
nor an evil tongue bewitch. |