43

Salve, nec minimo puella naso

nec bello pede nec nigris ocellis

nec longis digitis nec ore sicco

nec sane nimis elegante lingua,

decoctoris amica Formiani.

ten prouincia narrat esse bellam ?

tecum Lesbia nostra comparator ?

o saeclum insapiens et infacetum !

- G.V.Catullus

43

Hi there, girl with a nose by no mean tiny,

non-dark eyes and two most undainty ankles,

not-long fingers and undry lips, besides a

tongue that’s far from overly refined-you

bankrupt from Formiae’s mistress! Does the Province

spread the word that you’re attractive? Do men

pick on you to compare my Lesbia with now?

Oh this tasteless age, ill bred and witless!

- P.Green(Translator)