Catullus – Lesbia rails

Lambert Sustris, Venus with Cupid and Mars, c. 1540

Lesbia for ever on me rails,
To talk of me she never fails.
Now, hang me, but for all her art,
I find that I have gain’d her heart.
My proof is this: I plainly see,
The case is just the same with me;
I curse her every hour sincerely,
Yet, hang me but I love her dearly.

(Transl. by Jonathan Swift)

Lesbia sparla, non smette mai di sparlare
sul mio conto. Che io crepi se non mi ama.
Sintomi uguali per me. Io la stramaledico
ogni giorno. E che io crepi se non la amo.