Catullus 72

Question 1

Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum, Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iouem. dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam, sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.

Answer 1

You were saying once that you knew Catullus alone Lesbia and you were wanting to hold Jove before me. I cherished you then not so much as the crowd does a girlfriend, but as a father loves his children and sons in law.

Question 2

nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, multo mi tamen es vilior et levior. qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

Answer 2

Now I do know you wherefore, although I burn more excessively however you are much cheaper and lighter to me. How is it possible you say? Because such an injury forces a lover to love more often, but to like less.