Asinius Marrucinus, you dont employ
your left hand too well: in wine and jest
you take neglected table-linen.
Do you think thats witty? Get lost, you fool:
its such a sordid and such an unattractive thing.
Dont you believe me? Believe Pollionus
your brother, who wishes your thefts
could be fixed by money: hes a boy
truly stuffed with wit and humour.
So expect three hundred hendecasyllables
or return my napkin, whose value
doesnt disturb me, truly,
its a remembrance of my friends.
Fabullus and Veranius sent me the gift,
napkins from Spain: they must be cherished
as my Veranius and Fabullus must be.
Stop Stealing the Napkins! : to Asinius Marrucinus
written byGaius Valerius Catullus
© Gaius Valerius Catullus