Poem 13: Latin Translation

Question 1

quaeris, quot mihi basiationes tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque.

Answer 1

You ask how many kisses from you, Lesbia, are enough, and more than enough for me.

Question 2

quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis

Answer 2

As a great a number as the sands of the Libyan desert which lie in silphium-growing Cyrene

Question 3

oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum;

Answer 3

Between the oracle of sultry Jupiter and the sacred tomb of old Battus;

Question 4

aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox, furtives hominum vident amores:

Answer 4

or as many as the stars, when night is silent, which see the secret loves of men:

Question 5

tam te basia multa basiare vesano satis et super Catullo est,

Answer 5

Such is as many kisses are enough and more than enough for mad Catullus to kiss,

Question 6

quae nec pernumerare curiosi possint nec mala fascinare lingua.

Answer 6

a number which the busybodies could not count nor could an evil tongue use in a (magic) spell.