Catullus+72


 * Catullus 72**

//You once were saying that you knew Catullus alone,//
 * Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,**

//Lesbia, and that you did not want to hold Jupiter before me.//
 * Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.**

//I loved you then not only as the common people love a prostitute,//
 * dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,**

//but as a father loves his sons and sons in law.//
 * sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.**

//Now I know you; therefore, even if I burn more earnestly,//
 * nunc te cognovi; quare, etsi impensius uror,**

//nevertheless you are cheaper and more fickle to me by much.//
 * multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.**

//How is it possible, you say? Because such and injustice compels//
 * qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis**

//a lover to love more, but to wish well less.//
 * cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.**