One of the earliest poems of the Juventius cycle; cf. introductory
note to Catul. 15.1ff., and with the
theme the address to Lesbia, Catul.
7.1ff.—Meter, Phalaecean.
mellitos: the same epithet is applied to Juventius in Catul. 99.1.
oculos: cf. Catul. 9.9n.
[2] usque: continually; cf. Catul. 45.14.
[3] milia trecenta: of indefinite multitude; cf. Catul. 9.2n.
[5] non si: following a negation, as in Catul. 69.3; Catul. 70.2; Catul. 88.8.
[5] aridis aristis: cf. Aug. Civ. Dei 4.8 “quamdiu seges ab initiis herbidis usque ad aridas aristas perveniret.”