Page:Poet Lore, volume 25, 1914.djvu/576

 an ædile with lictors for the slave—but I said—Gaius Valerius Catullus—he is a friend of mine—a good friend of mine—you understand, said I—no scandal among friends—I’ll go there and we’ll settle it like good friends. Gellius said Catullus wants to anger Clodia, so he takes in pretty slaves as substitutes, but I made believe I did not hear it—I never hear it when any one insults any of my friends my friends—and you are a good friend of mine—you and Cæsar and Hortensius and Gellius and Cicero.

Catullus.—Nice company, thanks. (To himself.) Not asleep yet!

Metellus.—And I want good-will everywhere among friends—ha—ha—everything quiet, peaceful, ha—ha—understand. (He falls asleep.)

(When the corpulent has fallen asleep,  summons  and they move him into a curtained niche and hide him.  recalls, who overheard part of the preceding dialogue. A love scene ensues.  does not know who  is and recites some of his own poetry, which she memorized.  admits that she is betrothed to , a friend of . Just then  enters hastily and announces the arrival of Clodia.  resumes her former place of hiding.  (surnamed also ) enters and demands the slave.  refuses.  names , so that the listening  learns for the first time that he is the very poet whose verses she had been reciting.  complains bitterly of the infidelity to her of . He answers by reminding her of her numerous lovers. He names Gellius, Gellius Peplecola, his uncle, Cælius, Rufus, Sestus Clodius.)

Clodia.—Accuse me—Oh, pure swan of Verna! Who is Aufidia, Ipsitilla?

Catullus.—They succeeded you, O Clodia! My poisoned heart sought peace and oblivion. It discarded the shattered chalice in which it found but ugliness and sin. Love? Neither you nor I knew love, Lesbia, and now it is too late.