Not believe me? believe a friendly brother,
Laughing Pollio; he declares a talent
Poor indemnification, he the parlous
Child of voluble humour and facetious.
10 So face hendecasyllables, a thousand,
Or most speedily send me back the napkin;
Gift not prized at a sorry valuation,
But for company; 'twas a friend's memento.
Cloth of Saetabis, exquisite, from utmost
15 Iber, sent as a gift to me Fabullus
And Veranius. Ought not I to love them
As Veranius even, as Fabullus?
XIII.
Please kind heaven, in happy time, Fabullus,
We'll dine merrily, dear my friend, together.
Promise only to bring, your own, a dinner
Rich and goodly; withal a lily maiden,
5 Wine, and banter, a world of hearty laughing.
Promise only; betimes we dine, my gentle
Friend, most merrily; but, for your Catullus—
Know he boasts but a pouch of empty cobwebs.
Yet take contrary fee, the quintessential
10 Love, or sweeter if aught is, aught supremer,
Perfume savoury, mine; my love received it
Gift of every Venus, all the Cupids.
Would you smell it? a god shall hear Fabullus
Pray unbody him only nose for ever.