Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Lullaby

Risi nescio quem modo e corona,
qui, cum mirifice Vatiniana
meus crimina Calvus explicasset,
admirans ait haec manusque tollens:
‘Di magni, salaputium disertum!’

I laughed at someone in court lately
Who, when my Calvus gave a splendid
Account of all Vatinius’ crimes,
With hands raised in surprise announced
‘Great Gods, the squirt’s articulate!’

Vuoi ridere? Poco fa, accusandolo
in tribunale, il mio Calvo inchioda
Vatinio ai suoi delitti: entusiasta
uno del pubblico si sbraccia e grida:
‘Gran Dio, che oratore quel cazzetto!’

Gaius Valerius Catullus, LIII
English translation by Guy Lee
Italian translation by Mario Ramous

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