Othonis caput oppidost pusillum
Neri rustica semilauta crura,
Subtile et leve peditum Libonis.
Si non omnia displicere vellem
Tibi et Fuficio seni recocte 5
LIIIIb.
Irascere iterum meis iambis
Inmerentibus, unice imperator.
The head of Otho, puniest of pates
The rustic half-washt shanks of Nerius
And Libo’s subtle silent fizzling-farts.
I wish that leastwise these should breed disgust
In thee and old Fuficius, rogue twice-cookt. 5
LIIIIb.
Again at these mine innocent iamb-lines
Wi’ wrath be wrothest; unique Emperor!
Otho’s head is paltry past all phrase * * * the uncouth semi-soaped shanks of Nerius, the slender soundless fizzlings of Libo * * * if not all things I wish would displease thee and Fuficius, the white-headed and green-tailed.
Anew thou shalt be enraged at my harmless iambics, emperor unique.
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/c/catullus/carmina/poem54.html
Last updated Monday, November 5, 2012 at 16:32