| TANDEM VENIT AMOR ... | SULPICIA IN LOVE |
| Sulpicia | tr. Josephine Balmer |
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Tandem venit amor, qualem texisse pudori quam nudasse alicui sit mihi fama magis. Exorata meis illum Cytherea Camenis adtulit in nostrum deposuitque sinum. Exsolvit promissa Venus: mea gaudia narret, dicetur siquis non habuisse sua. Non ego signatis quicquam mandare tabellis, ne legat id nemo quam meus ante, velim, sed peccasse iuvat, vultus conponere famae taedet: cum digno digna fuisse ferar |
At last love has come along, and now it seems my greater shame to cover up than bare all, or so I should believe. For Venus heard my plaintive song, settled all outstanding claims - bound him over, dropped him in my lap, and up my sleeve. Love's promise is fulfilled: so let them publicise my pleasures - if they've none, that is, to speak of, nothing of their own. No, I won't bring my soul to book, seal up my secret treasures in case some other lover might take them out on loan. To err is divine; to change heart - and minds - surely asinine; shout it loud: for this worthy woman, a worthwhile man. |
Click here 1 for another translation of this poem.
Transl. Copyright © Josephine Balmer 1996 - publ. Bloodaxe Books
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