NOTES. I. P. 1. 1. To whom am I to give my dainty, new-born little volume?' The present indicative is constantly used in Latin with a deliberative force; cf. LXIII. 55. The words lepidum and novum mean both that the book is bright and new from the publisher's hands, and that it contains delicate wit presented in a form new to Latin literature. 2. pumice. For the use of pumice stone in the preparation of books, see XXII. 6 note. 3. Corneli. Corn. Nepos, compatriot of Catullus and about eight years his senior, chiefly known as biographer of illustrious men, but also writer of love poems now lost. 'Chronica' here referred to are also lost. The 4. aliquid in opposition to nugas. Catullus calls his light poems nothings,' but his friend always considered them of serious value,'' a something of importance.' Si vis esse aliquis = if you would be a somebody. Translate 'would set upon my trifles no trifling value.' 6. explicare, to unfold and show as a whole, as a robe-maker exhibits his wares (explicat vestem), or as a general deploys his troops (explicat ordines), so that all may be comprehended at a glance; cf. LIII. 3. Here the word almost = 'tabulate.' 7. laboriosis is said to mean on which labour has been spent,' according to A. Gellius, who (N. A. IX. 12) quotes a line from Catullus' friend, Calvus, · 'Durum rus fugis et laboriosum,' and explains the last word as 'in quo laboratur.' But Calvus means the hard, work-a-day country,' employing the simple personification which is also used here. If carta (a sheet) can be called docta (learned), it may also be called laboriosa (diligent): and in LXVIII B. 6 (46), we find 'carta loquatur apus.' The whole of Gellius' article is confused and unfortunate. 8. quicquid hoc libelli, 'Therefore take to yourself all this is of a little book: whatever its worth may perhaps be, yet may it, O guardian maiden, endure without fading more than one generation.' The best MSS. read Qualecumque quod, for which quidem is the earliest and perhaps best correction. Ellis reads: 'Quare habe tibi quicquid hoc libelli Qualecunque: quod o patrona virgo' 'Take this slight book, such as it is, and may it,' &c. The virgo may be Minerva, or the Muse. Cf. LXVIII B. 1-6 (40-46). Munro thinks neither appropriate, and, after Bergk, reads: 'Qualecumque quidem patronei ut ergo' 'that, poor as it perhaps may be, yet for its patron's sake it may endure.' This makes capital sense, but there is no evidence that Catullus wrote it. With quicquid hoc libelli compare Verg. Aen. A 78, 'quodcumque hoc regni' this empire, be it great or small,' on which see Dr. Henry's "Aeneidea." On the Hendecasyllabic metre of this poem see Appendix I. A. II. 1. deliciae, 'my lady's pet': so amores = 'mistress,' 'favourite.' 3. primum digitum, 'finger tip,' not 'first finger,' which is called index. appetenti, reaching forward to catch.' Translate "to whose sallies she will offer her finger tip.' 5. desiderio, my heart's desire.' Cicero (Fam. XIV. 2 fin.) writes to his wife, 'mea lux, mea desideria, valete.' For the "Lover's vocabulary" in Catullus see Appendix II. 3. nitenti, bright-eyed.' 6. Carum nescio quid, like solaciolum, is accusative after jocari. On the 'cognate' acc. see VII. 9 note. Translate is pleased to play I know not what dear frolic and soft diversion of her pain.' credo. 'And well she may: would that I, like your mis |
