Talk:Catullus 51

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This is a much better translation, and is actually more literal. Literal translations should translate idioms into the exact equivalent idiom of the target language, not simply offer a word-for-word rendering. Word for word translation is for machines and middle and high school students, generally. I'm going to post my translation below for discussion.

That man seems equal to a god to me.

That man, if it is not profane, above the gods

He who sitting across from you

Repeatedly listens to you laughing sweetly,

Which destroys the senses of wretched me

I have seen you, Lesbia, nothing is beyond me

But my tongue becomes immobile,

A flame goes down my weak limbs,

My ears ring with their own sound,

Both my eyes are covered with darkness.

Leisure, Catullus, is trouble for you:

In leisure you gambol about and celebrate:

Leisure has destroyed kings before

And prosperous cities.

Billy Blythe 12:34, 27 August 2006 (UTC)