C. lxxxxviiii. This poem shews beyond contradiction that Catullus himself was not free from the vice of paederasty, so universal amongst the Roman youth.
v. 10. Lupae. The infamous, fetid harlot is called lupa (a she-wolf) from the ravenousness of the wolf answering to the rapacious disposition of the generality of courtezans: but Servius, Aen. 3, assigns a much more improper and filthy reason.
C. c. v. 1. Again the Roman paederasty shews itself in Caelius's affection for Aufilenus.
C. ciii. It appears that Catullus had given a sum of money to the pander Silo to procure him a mistress. He did not perform his engagement, but kept the money, and abused our sinning bard when he reproached him with the cheat.
C. cv. There are not wanting commentators who give a very obscene turn to this epigram against Mamurra.
C. cx. v. 4. The word dare has here an erotic sense.
v. 8. Tota corpore prostituit. Some commentators think that this alludes to such women as not only submit to prostitution, but are in every way subservient to the lascivious caprices of depraved appetites. Vossius inclines to such an interpretation.
C. cxii. v. 2. Multus. Some commentators read moltus in an obscene sense, à molendo. Vossius understands by descendere in sese the same act as is alluded to in C. lxxxviii., hence the force of the word multus, meaning cum feminâ, which he jeeringly applies to Naso as though he would ironically exclaim: Et tu feminâ! tu solus es, aut sine feminâ. He writes the epigram thus:
Multus homo est, Naso, neque secum multus homo qui