Jump to content

Translation:Catullus 88

From Wikisource
Catullus 88
by Catullus, translated from Latin by Wikisource
4462186Catullus 88WikisourceCatullus


Literal English Translation Original Latin Line

What is he doing, Gellius, who lusts for his own mother and sister, and stays up with the tunics having been thrown away?
What is he doing, who does not allow his uncle to be a husband?
Surely you know the extent of wickedness he undertakes?
He undertakes, O Gellius, as much as neither the furthest Tethys nor Ocean father of the Nymphs can wash away:
For there is nothing at all of wickedness beyond which he could proceed, not if with his head being sent down he devours himself.

quid facit is, Gelli, qui cum matre atque sorore prurit, et abiectis pervigilat tunicis?
quid facit is, partuum qui non sinit esse maritum?
ecquid scis quantum suscipiat sceleris?
suscipit, O Gelli, quantum non ultima Tethys nec genitor Nympharum abluit Oceanus:
nam nihil est quicquam sceleris quo prodeat ultra, non si demisso se ipse voret capite.

88.1
88.2
88.3
88.4
88.5
88.6
88.7
88.8
88.9