Social Commentaries

XVI: I'll traduce you, accuse you, and abuse you

by Gaius Valerius Catullus c. 84 – c. 54 BC

Translated by Robinson Ellis (1871) · From The Poems and Fragments of Catullus (1871)

Social Commentaries

I'll traduce you, accuse you, and abuse you,
Soft Aurelius, e'en as easy Furius.
You that lightly a saucy verse resenting,
Misconceit me, sophisticate me wanton.

Know, pure chastity rules the godly poet,
Rules not poesy, needs not e'er to rule it;
Charms some verse with a witty grace delightful?
'Tis voluptuous, impudent, a wanton.

It shall kindle an icy thought to courage,
Not boy-fancies alone, but every frozen
Flank immovable, all amort to pleasure.

You my kisses, a million happy kisses,
Musing, read me a silky thrall to softness?
I'll traduce you, accuse you, and abuse you.

MLA

Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “XVI: I'll traduce you, accuse you, and abuse you.” Translated by Robinson Ellis. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/16/.

Chicago

Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “XVI: I'll traduce you, accuse you, and abuse you.” Translated by Robinson Ellis. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/16/.

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