The English
- (Just the raw, unpoetic English, simply for comprehension)
O most learned of the descendants of Romulus,
as many there are and as many as there were, Marcus Tullius,
or as many as there will be later in years,
Catullus gives you great thanks,
the worst of all poets,
by as much the worst poet of all,
as you the best lawyer/patron of all.
Read more about this topic: Catullus 49
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