Curate.—This is compliment enough as far as comparison goes—but he pays her a much greater shortly after: for he loves her in their greatest quarrels.
OF LESBIA.
"Lesbia mi dicit semper male."
Lesbia's always speaking ill
Of me—her tongue is never still:
Yet may I die, but 'gainst her will,
She loves me, spite of her detraction.
Why think I so? Because I blame
Her ways, abuse her just the same:
Yet howsoe'er I name her name,
I still love Lesbia to distraction.
Gratian.—Perhaps the constancy was more to the credit of Lesbia than Catullus. Now then, Aquilius.
Aquilius.—
DE LESBIA.
Lesbia speaketh ill of me
Ever—nought it moves me:
Say she what she will of me,
Yet I know she loves me.
Why? Because in words of hate,
I am far before her;
Yet no jot of love abate,
Rather I adore her.