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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO FABULLUS by GAIUS VALERIUS CATULLUS

First Line: FABULLUS, I WILL TREAT YOU HANDSOMELY
Last Line: FABULLUS, THAT THEY'D MAKE THEE NOSE ALL O'ER.
Subject(s): GUESTS;

FABULLUS, I will treat you handsomely
Shortly, if the kind gods will favour thee.
If thou dost bring with thee a del'cate mess,
An olio or so, a pretty lass,
Brisk wine, sharp tales, all sorts of drollery.
These if thou bring'st, I say, along with thee,

You shall feed highly, friend; for know, the ebbs
Of my lank purse are full of spiders' webs.
But then again you shall receive clear love,
Or what more grateful or more sweet may prove:
For with an ointment I will favour thee,
My Venuses and Cupids gave to me,
Of which once smelt, the gods thou wilt implore,
Fabullus, that they'd make thee nose all o'er.



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