| COMMENDO tibi me ac meos
amores, |
1 |
To you, Aurelius, I entrust
my all, even my loved, |
| Aureli. ueniam peto pudentem, |
2 |
and I ask a favour of
you, a modest favour. |
| ut, si quicquam animo
tuo cupisti, |
3 |
If have ever with all
your soul desired |
| quod castum expeteres
et integellum, |
4 |
to keep anything pure
and free from stain, |
| conserues puerum mihi
pudice, |
5 |
then guard my boy-friend
now in safety, |
| non dico a populo-- nihil
ueremur |
6 |
I don't mean from the
vulgar throng; I have no fear |
| istos, qui in platea modo
huc modo illuc |
7 |
of such as pass to and
fro in our streets |
| in re praetereunt sua
occupati-- |
8 |
absorbed in their own
business. |
| uerum a te metuo tuoque
pene |
9 |
it's you I fear, you and
your penis, |
| infesto pueris bonis malisque. |
10 |
so fatal to the young
boys, both good and bad alike. |
| quem tu qua lubet, ut
lubet moueto |
11 |
Give that penis play where
and how you please, |
| quantum uis, ubi erit
foris paratum: |
12 |
ever ready for indulgence
when you walk abroad. |
| hunc unum excipio, ut
puto, pudenter. |
13 |
This one boy I would have
you spare: I think it's a modest request. |
| quod si te mala mens furorque
uecors |
14 |
And if a wicked mind and
infatuate frenzy |
| in tantam impulerit, sceleste,
culpam, |
15 |
drive you to the heinous
crime |
| ut nostrum insidiis caput
lacessas. |
16 |
of treason against me, |
| a tum te miserum malique
fati! |
17 |
ah! then I pity you for
your sad fate. |
| quem attractis pedibus
patente porta |
18 |
For before the city's
gaze with your legs and back-door spread out |
| percurrent raphanique
mugilesque. |
19 |
radishes and mullets will be stuck into you. |