Main Text
LXXXVIII
- 1Quid facit is, Gelli, qui cum matre atque sorore
- 2 prurit et abiectis peruigilat tunicis?
- 3quid facit is patruum qui non sinit esse maritum?
- 4 ecquid scis quantum suscipiat sceleris?
- 5suscipit, o Gelli, quantum non ultima Tethys
- 6 nec genitor Nympharum abluit Oceanus.
- 7nam nihil est quicquam sceleris quo prodeat ultra,
- 8 non si demisso se ipse uoret capite.
Translation
Editor’s NoteEditor’s NoteLXXXVIII
- 1Gellius, what does he do who lusts with mother and sister
- 2 And flinging off tunic stays awake all night?
- 3What does he do who won't let uncle be a husband?
- 4 Do you know how great a crime he commits?
- 5He commits, O Gellius, one which neither furthest Tethys
- 6 Nor Ocean, Sire of Nymphs, can wash away.
- 7Beyond that there's no worse crime he could perpetrate,
- 8 Not if head down he were to mouth himself.
Editor’s Note
The objectionable Gellius re-appears from LXXX and is now given the exceptional distinction of being the target of four consecutive epigrams. The reason for this special treatment appears in the last of them: he had betrayed Catullus' friendship by carrying on with Lesbia.
