T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
To Lesbia, II
By Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84–c. 54 B.C.)(Translated by George Lamb, 1821) |
THY kisses dost thou bid me count, | |
| And tell thee, Lesbia, what amount | |
| My rage for love and thee could tire, | |
| And satisfy and cloy desire? | |
| Many as grains of Libyan sand | 5 |
| Upon Cyrene’s spicy land | |
| From prescient Ammon’s sultry dome | |
| To sacred Battus’ ancient tomb: | |
| Many as stars that silent ken | |
| At night the stolen loves of men. | 10 |
| Yes, when the kisses thou shalt kiss | |
| Have reach’d a number vast as this, | |
| Then may desire at length be stay’d, | |
| And e’en my madness be allay’d: | |
| Then when infinity defies | 15 |
| The calculations of the wise; | |
| Nor evil voice’s deadly charm | |
| Can work the unknown number harm. | |