Catullus 28 Translation
Introduction
In this poem, Catullus discusses the family of Piso and the people who serve the family. He uses an interesting play on words calling the soldiers of Piso “a needy train.” Then, he talks about how they have their baggage handy and are easy to carry. In line three, Catullus asks his friends Veranius and Fabullus how they are doing as they work for the Pisos.
Catullus does not seem to like the Pisos, as he asks his friends if they are cold and hungry and sick of listening to Piso - whom he calls a “wind-bag.” Catullus also asks his friends if they are making any money, even a small amount. He talks about how his gains are on the wrong side, which means they were actually withdrawals. Catullus, in line eight, talks about his praetor, Memmius. Catullus says that Memmius clintonized him, or forced him to have sex and perform fellatio on him.
Then, in line 11, Catullus realizes that Memmius went through the same thing that he forced Catullus to do. He says that Memmius was stuffed with “just as big a penis” and he makes a sarcastic remark about how Memmius does not have good friends.
At the end of the poem, Catullus heaps a curse on Memmius. He asks the gods to place many curses on him, because he destroys the names of Romulus and Remus. When Catullus refers to Romulus and Remus, he is referring to all of the people of Rome, since the pair were the creators of the great city. Catullus does not appreciate people who take advantage of younger men and women. It is clear that Memmius is a predator, who was once the victim. Unfortunately, Memmius did not become a better person from his experience.
Carmen 28
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PISONIS comites, cohors inanis, | You subalterns of Piso, a needy train, |
| 2 | aptis sarcinulis et expeditis, | with baggage handy and easily carried, |
| 3 | Verani optime tuque mi Fabulle, | my excellent Veranius and my Fabullus, |
| 4 | quid rerum geritis? satisne cum isto | how are you? Have you borne cold and hunger |
| 5 | uappa frigoraque et famem tulistis? | with that wind-bag long enough? |
| 6 | ecquidnam in tabulis patet lucelli | Do your account books show any gain, however small, |
| 7 | expensum, ut mihi, qui meum secutus | entered on the wrong side, as mine do? Why, after following |
| 8 | praetorem refero datum lucello? | in my praetor’s train I put down on the credit side |
| 9 | O Memmi, bene me ac diu supinum | ”O Memmius, you slowly clintonized me well and for a long time |
| 10 | tota ista trabe lentus irrumasti. | on my back with that entire rod of yours.” |
| 11 | sed, quantum uideo, pari fuistis | But, as far as I see, you were in a similar |
| 12 | casu: nam nihilo minore uerpa | situation: you were stuffed with just as big a penis. |
| 13 | farti estis. pete nobiles amicos! | So much for running after powerful friends! |
| 14 | at uobis mala multa di deaeque | But may the gods and goddesses bring many curses upon you, |
| 15 | dent, opprobria Romuli Remique. | you blots on the names of Romulus and Remus. |
