Petronius: 'Love will not let the poet sleep': Verse Set Texts

Question 1

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lecto compositus vix prima silentia noctis

Answer 1

Having settled myself in bed, I was just beginning to enjoy the first stillness of the night.

Question 2

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carpebam et somno lumina victa dabam,

Answer 2

and my eyes were overcome with tiredness and I was falling asleep.

Question 3

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cum me saevus Amor prensat sursumque capillis

Answer 3

when cruel Love grabs me and pulls me up by the hair

Question 4

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excitat et lacerum pervigilare iubet.

Answer 4

and orders me in my shattered state to stay awake.

Question 5

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

Answer 5

‘You my slave,’ he said, ‘although you are the lover of a thousand girls,

Question 6

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

Answer 6

can you just lie there on your own, hey, alone, obstinately?’

Question 7

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exsilio et pedibus nudis tunicaque solute

Answer 7

I jump out of bed with bare feet and a loose tunic

Question 8

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omne iter impedio, nullum iter expedio.

Answer 8

I block every road, but I free no route.

Question 9

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nunc propero, nunc ire piget, rursumque redire

Answer 9

Now I am hurrying, now it disgusts me to go on, but on the other hand it makes me sorry to go back,

Question 10

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paenitet, et pudor est stare via media.

Answer 10

and I am ashamed of standing in the middle of the street.

Question 11

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ecce tacent voces hominum strepitusque viarum

Answer 11

Look! People’s voices are silent, as is the din of the streets,

Question 12

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et volucrum cantus turbaque fida canum:

Answer 12

and the songs of birds and the loyal mob of dogs:

Question 13

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solus ego ex cunctis paveo somnumque torumque,

Answer 13

I alone out of everyone am terrified of both sleep and my bed,

Question 14

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et sequor imperium, magne Cupido, tuum.

Answer 14

and I follow your command, great Cupid.