E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, Poem 83

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On the evidence of Lesbia's love for him. Written at least before 59 B.C. (when Q. Metellus Celer, the husband of Clodia, died) and probably to be placed among the earliest of the poems concerning Lesbia (see Intr. 16). With the theme cf. Catul. 92.1ff.; Prop. 4.8 “passim” ; Ov. Rem. Am. 647f.

mi praesente viro: it does not follow, however, that Catullus was himself present; but the epigram may have been sent to Lesbia on hearing of the incident from others, and may date from the period when he was first paying court to her.

mala dicit: cf. Pl. Men. 717 “omnia mala ingerebat, quemquem aspexerat” ; Tib. 1.2.11 “mala siqua tibi dixit” .

[2] fatuo: cf. Catul. 98.2n. fatuis.

[3] mule: not common as a synonym for a fellow of persistent dullness but cf. Juv. 16.23 “mulino corde Vagelli” .

[4] sana i. e. free from the passion of love cf. Verg. A. 4.8 “[Dido] adloquitur male sana sororem” ; Tibullus 4.6.18 “uritur nec sana fuisse velit” .

[4] gannit: strictly of the snarling of a dog; cf. Non. 450.11 “gannire cum sit proprie canum” ; Ter. Ad. 556 “quid ille gannit? quid volt?” Juv. 6.64 “Appula gannit” .

[5] acrior: more to the point.

[6] uritur: of the passion of love; cf. Hor. Carm. 1.13.8 “quam lentis penitus macerer ignibus; uror” , etc.; Catul. 2.8n. ardor.

[6] et: and therefore; introducing a result of the preceding fact; cf. Pl. Asin. 447 “audio et quiesco” .

Catullus. Catullus. E. T. Merrill. Cambridge. Harvard University Press. 1893.

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E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus
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E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus
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