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TO JUVENTIUS.

E'en as thou played'st, from thee snatched I (0 honied Juventius!)
Kisslet of savour so sweet sweetest Ambrosia unknows.
Yet was the theft nowise scot-free, for more than an hour I
Clearly remember me fixt hanging from crest of the Cross,
Whatwhile I purged my sin unto thee nor with any weeping
Tittle of cruel despite such as be thine could I 'bate.
For that no sooner done thou washed thy liplets with many
Drops which thy fingers did wipe, using their every joint,
Lest of our mouths conjoined remain there aught by the contact
Like unto slaver foul shed by the butterèd bun.
Further, wretchedmost me betrayed to unfriendliest Love-god
Never thou ceased'st to pain hurting with every harm,
So that my taste be turned and kisses ambrosial erstwhile
Even than hellebore-juice bitterest bitterer grow.
Seeing such pangs as these prepared for unfortunate lover,
After this never again kiss will I venture to snatch.

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load focus Notes (E. T. Merrill, 1893)
load focus English (Leonard C. Smithers, 1894)
load focus Latin (E. T. Merrill)
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hide References (9 total)
  • Commentary references to this page (8):
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 14
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 15
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 22
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 3
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 48
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 68a
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 68b
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, 78b
  • Cross-references to this page (1):
    • E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, Poems.
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