Gaius Valerius Catullus, 36 "A Sacrifice: Volusius' Annales"

Catullus says that Lesbia has made the vow to return to Catullus is he stops writing invective poetry, presumably against her, and that she would offer to the gods the writings of the worst poet. Thus Catullus is telling Volusius’ Annales to expect to burn.

 

Tier 1

Annales Volusi, cacata pagina, solvite votum pro mea puella.

 

nam promisit sanctae Veneri et Cupidini, si ego restitutus essem sibi et ego desissem scribere saeva carmina,

 

promisit se daturam electissima scripta pessimi poetae deo Vulcano igne.

 

et puella misera vidit se promittere hoc deis quasi ad risum.

 

nunc o Venus creata Caeruleo oceano, tu quae habitas multis in locis,

 

accipe promissum perfectum si venustum est.

 

sed vos, Annales Volusi, cacata pagina, rustica et sine urbanitate, venite in ignem.

 

Written by Robert Amstutz

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