Social Commentaries
LVII: O rare sympathies! happy rakes united!
Translated by Robinson Ellis (1871) · From The Poems and Fragments of Catullus (1871)
O rare sympathies! happy rakes united!
There Mamurra the woman, here a Caesar.
Who can wonder? An ugly brand on either,
His, true Formian, his, politely Roman,
Rests indelible, in the bone residing.
Either infamous, each a twin dishonour,
Bookish brethren, a dainty pair pedantic;
One adultrous, as hungry he; with equal
Parts in women, a lusty corporation.
O rare sympathies! happy rakes united!
Cite this poem
MLA
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “LVII: O rare sympathies! happy rakes united!” Translated by Robinson Ellis. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/53/.
Chicago
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. “LVII: O rare sympathies! happy rakes united!” Translated by Robinson Ellis. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/catullus/53/.
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