Carmina 7, by Catullus

Carmen 7, by Gaius Valerius Catullus Catullus was a Roman poet of the first century BC. His poems, though greatly revered by such canonical authors as Virgil and Ovid, survived in only one manuscript; possibly because many of his poems were considered too explicit. His poems include epigrams, hymns, mini-epics, and short, often informal poems. Catullus is especially remembered for his love poems like this one, to "Lesbia." Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque. quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum; aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox, furtivos hominum vident amores: tam te basia multa basiare vesano satis et super Catullo est, quae nec pernumerare curiosi possint nec mala fascinare lingua. You ask how many of your kisses, Lesbia, will be enough for me. As many as the great number of Libyan sands that lie in flower-rich Cyrene, between the oracle of sweltering Jove and Old Battus' sacred tomb; Or as the multitude of stars which, when night is quiet, gaze upon the secret loves of man. So many kisses you kiss Are enough and more for mad Catullus: Such that prying eyes can't count them, Nor an evil tongue bewitch. FLOWER-RICH - Lasar was a long-extinct flower (although similar to the modern ferula, it's believed). Its extract, lasarpicium, was used throughout the Mediterranean, both as a seasoning and for a variety of medicinal purposes (from sore throats, to antispasmodics, to abortions). SWELTERING JOVE - The Egyptian god Ammon, whose temple was in the desert over 400 miles from Cyrene OLD BATTUS - The founder of Cyrene. His tomb stood in the city, where he was greatly reverenced. BEWITCH - Exact details were considered a necessary part of spells, so any envious person wanting to put a hex on them would need such information. Thanks for listening! Visit the podcast at http://poetryalive.podomatic.com We'd love to hear from you, e-mail comments and suggestions to [email protected]. If you've got a poem you'd like to hear, or even better, to read, let us know!