Catullus Love Poem- Translation by A.Z. Foreman

Once again, Mr. Foreman takes some poetry from a completely different time and place than our own and renders it memorable and meaningful, to say nothing of entertaining

Poems Found In Translation: “Catullus: Poem 34 "Promises, Promises" (From Latin)”

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Catullus: Poem 34 "Promises, Promises" (From Latin)

Posted: 09 Feb 2014 08:12 PM PST

Poem 34: Promises, Promises
By Catullus
Translated by A.Z. Foreman

My girl says there's no one she'd rather wed Than me. "Not even Jupiter"
Says she. But things a woman says in bed To please her lover are as sure
As any contract scribbled out on air. 
Or you could find a sea, and write it there. 

The Original:

Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere malle
quam mihi, non si se Iuppiter ipse petat.
Dicit; sed mulier cupido quod dicit amati,
in vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua