Love Will Not Let The Poet Sleep

Question 1

lecto compositus vix prima silentia noctis

Answer 1

At rest in bed, I had scarcely begun to enjoy the first silence of night,

Question 2

carpebam et somno lumina victa dabam,

Answer 2

and to give up my conquered eyes to sleep,

Question 3

cum me saevus Amor prensat sursumque capillis

Answer 3

when savage Love grasps me and wakes me up by the hair

Question 4

excitat et lacerum pervigilare iubet.

Answer 4

and orders me shattered to stay awake all night.

Question 5

‘tu famulus meus’ inquit ‘ames cum mille puellas,

Answer 5

‘Since you my slave’ he said ‘love a thousand girls,

Question 6

solus, io, solus, dure, iacere potes?’

Answer 6

can you, o harsh one, lie alone here, alone?’

Question 7

exsilio et pedibus nudis tunicaque soluta

Answer 7

I jump up, and with bare feet and disordered tunic

Question 8

omne iter impedio, nullum iter expedio.

Answer 8

I hinder every progress, I get ready for no journey.

Question 9

nunc propero, nunc ire piget, rursumque redire

Answer 9

Now I hurry, now it is displeasing to go, I repent of going back,

Question 10

paenitet, et pudor est stare via media.

Answer 10

and I am ashamed to stand by the middle of the road.

Question 11

ecce tacent voces hominum strepitusque viarum

Answer 11

See the voices of men and the noise of the streets,

Question 12

et volucrum cantus turbaque fida canum:

Answer 12

and the singing of birds and the faithful company of dogs are silent:

Question 13

solus ego ex cunctis paveo somnumque torumque,

Answer 13

I alone of all dread both sleep and my bed,

Question 14

et sequor imperium, magne Cupido, tuum.

Answer 14

and follow your command, great Cupid.