Ode 3.13

Even after a sight translation,
And one in class,
Alas! alas!
I still find it with indignation.
Even after much sight and view,
And a break here,
Maybe a break there,
I still don't understand his dictum's use.
But without further ado,
And no,
That is not an "a" on the verb Do, Dare, Dedi, Datum,
I bring a crude translation just to you!

O Deserving Spring of Bandusia, (you are) brighter than glass,
Tomorrow, you will be rewarded with a young goat,
(but) not without sweet unmixed wine (or) flowers,
[I added the ("or"), since I wasn't sure to take dulci....mero non sine floribus together or not]
To whom the swollen forehead with sprouting horns,
Destines (him) for Love/Venus and Battles [could we also say hate?],
[Does the Destinat act also on frons turgida cornibus primis?]
(It is) in vain: For the offspring, to you [dative of reference? "your offspring"], will be staining the cold streams,
with the red blood of a promiscuous flock.

Your dreadful season does not know how to touch of passionate Sirius,
[was not quite sure how to take the infinitive with the two genitives, flangrantis and Caniculae: I also want to translate it (out of blazing Sirius, the dreadful hour does not know how to touch/is ignorant of touching you]
You will give a cold love from the plow to the tired bulls and to the roaming livestock,

Also, you will be made from noble springs
While I am singing to [(on) ablative of place?] the hollow rocks,
Having been placed there [(for copulation)?]
[I wanted to add (That place)] From where the chatters of your waters (takes its) jump (for love).

Legend:

( ) mean added word for English or possible translation
[ ] means an uncertainty in how to translate the phrase, word, etc.

Horace Satire 1.9 --Questions/Concerns in brackets

By chance, I was walking on the Sacred way, as it is my usual way (custom),
Not thinking of anything in particular (I did not know what, thinking things of no importance), totally (engulfed) in them,
A certain man (who is), known only by name, ran up to me,
and grasped my hand (and said): "how are things, (my) dearest of the world?"
"delightfully, as it is now" I said "and I desire everything, which you wish."
[cum=then? when?] when he [is or was] following closely:["surely you don't wish?"] (I said) I deliberating the conversation, but this man,
"you know me" he said "I am (well) learned." At this point, I said: [by this (the fact of being well learned??),
you will be of much value to me]." (I) seeking to say a miserable (thing),
only to anger (him?) now, stopping (in my walk) at times,
I did not know what to say into the ear to the boy, when the sweat was dripping down
to the bottom of the (my?? or the boys?) ankles. "Bolanus, [oh you happy brain",
I was saying in silently, when (all of a sudden) [whoever this guy is]
was blabbering, praising the village and city. [as if= ut?] I was responding nothing (not) to him:
"you a desiring in misery" he said "to leave ([me??]);
I saw (this) for a long time. but it is no use; I will continually  persist.
[I pursued [you?] to this point, by which the journey is with you]"
(I said or he went on to say?) "It is not necessary for you to walk around in circles:
I wish to see a man (whom) is not known to you;
[crossing the far off river Tiber] he is lying down near the Garden of Caesar"
(And he said) "I have nothing, which I have to do, and I am not lazy: I [(will)??] follow you constantly"
I let the ears fall down (or my ears are dropping down), just like a young donkey dumb in mind,
[When the harder has undergone the burden on the back]. This man began (talking again?):
"As certainly as I know myself, you will not act towards Viscus with more value,
than of Varius: for who could write verses of much value and speed than myself?
Who could move their limbs (i.e hand/arm??) more diligently?
Even Hermogenes would be jealous because I sing."
At this point, he had talked [about to be interrupted? or as -while he had been talking, in order to interrupt I said-?
"[your mother, she is of relation] for which things it is necessary for your safety?" (Is he saying, your mother must be concerned for your safety?)
(He said) "[Anyone is not in my perception (dative of reference?);
I am calm (in) all matters]" (I said) "Wonderful! Now I remain. <--really confused about this sentence
Destroy me! For sad my sad fate is pressing, which the Old Sabine Woman sang to the boy, while having the divine urn moved:
this man (is) neither dire poisons, nor an enemy bearing a sword,
nor a pain on the side or a cough, nor dull gout:
a talkative one, this man, he will destroy me at some time or another.
The talking one, if he would be wise, he might avoid (this type man),
and [the age/season would grow together] (so, i.e, the man who talks like this man talks as long as it is for a season to come about??)<--another confusing sentence to understand what is exactly going on

A souvenir is perfect for today

Writing to a friend is not like being with them,
So I ask all of you to help me write this!
Please come write your name on my wooden tablets,
And in the future, I hope to write on yours,
Share this day writing little and long verses,
Maybe we can exchange my jokes for your wine,
And another one might come when we are done,
In that I might exchange your wine with their jokes,
And another one might come when they are done.

High on some laughter and low strung on the wine,
We can dance and dance as the lyre gets strung,
But I am no liar, do not hold a grudge,
But I will if the drink is not so distilled,
Let us leave on that note with our hearts as one,
Lest I shall spend a horrible sleepless night,
Waiting for Novi Poetae with delight.....

Why curse them?

Because Catullus is an invective poet-- and that means Catullus is always ready to attack!!  Think of Catullus as an improv comic or a performance poet at a poetry slam-- his poems are performance pieces, often in response to events, people, and other poems we don't have available & so can't understand, and often using comic stereotypes that, again, we don't quite grasp.  Egnatius, the smiling Spaniard who brushes his teeth with urine, is a good example of "over the top" satirical invective-- he reminds me of Kenneth in 30 Rock. 

Catullus gets burned

Oh Catullus, where do I start to tell you,
That these words would not want to wither in flames,
But its the contrary and nearly mundane,
That I should have to condemn you and tell you,
We cannot retrieve books from some flame burning,
And so why put some in there for a cursing?

from Work to Play

"Rest", the voice of reason speaks to him today,
The rest? Who cares, whats the reason for today?
Whose who? And why should he, she, it care for you?
Ah, this is what we call a personal ending,
Behold, "it" is not a person but a thing!

Thetis regrets that J.Billings has been feeling under the weather :(  She has written him a consolatory poem to launch his blog:

We know germs can attack at any moment--
No escape from the raging Norfolk virus.
Mighty Jacob has fallen victim to it!