Social Commentaries
Carmen XL (Burton)
Translated by Sir Richard F. Burton (1894) · From The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus (1894)
What thought of folly Rávidus (poor churl!)
Upon my iambs thus would headlong hurl?
What good or cunning counsellor would fain
Urge thee to struggle in such strife insane?
Is't that the vulgar mouth thy name by rote?
What will'st thou? Wishest on any wise such note?
Then shalt be noted since my love so lief
For love thou sued'st to thy lasting grief.
Cite this poem
MLA
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “Carmen XL (Burton).” Translated by Sir Richard F. Burton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/260/.
Chicago
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “Carmen XL (Burton).” Translated by Sir Richard F. Burton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/260/.
Read this poem with the Codex →