Social Commentaries

XLI: Ameana, the maiden of the people

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

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

Social Commentaries

Ameana, the maiden of the people,
Asks me sesterces, all the many thousands.

Maiden she with a nose not wholly faultless,
Bankrupt Formian, your declar'd devotion.

Wherefore look to the maiden, her relations:
Call her family, summon all the doctors.

Your poor maiden is oddly touch'd; a mirror
Sure would lend her a soberer reflexion.

MLA

Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “XLI: Ameana, the maiden of the people.” Translated by Robinson Ellis. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/38/.

Chicago

Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “XLI: Ameana, the maiden of the people.” Translated by Robinson Ellis. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/38/.

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