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TO GELLIUS.

What may he (Gellius!) do that ever for mother and sister
Itches and wakes thro' the nights, working wi' tunic bedoffed?
What may he do who nills his uncle ever be husband?
Wottest thou how much he ventures of sacrilege-sin?
Ventures he (0 Gellius!) what ne'er can ultimate Tethys
Wash from his soul, nor yet Ocean, watery sire.
For that of sin there's naught wherewith this sin can exceed he
. . . . his head on himself.
Catullus. Carmina. Sir Richard Francis Burton. trans. London. For translator for private use. 1894.

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load focus Notes (E. T. Merrill, 1893)
load focus English (Leonard C. Smithers, 1894)
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  • Commentary references to this page (7):
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 29
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 48
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 66
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 69
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 74
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 89
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 91
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