Catullus I

To Cornelius Nepos Who is it I should give my little book to, So pretty in its pumice-polished covers? Cornelius, I’ll give my book to you: Because you used to think my nothings somethings, At the time when you were the first in Italy To dare to write our whole long history, Three volumes, under the sign of Jupiter, Heroically achieved; so take this little Book of mine for what it’s worth; whatever; And oh, patroness Virgin, grant that it shall Live and survive beyond the century.