Catullus great but... I urge you to consider a style without the weird 19th century poetry diction. I don't see any value these days in reversed noun phrases like "race divine," or words that are only found in self-consciously epic narration like "aloft" and "braved."
I'm afraid all my Latin has returned from whence it came, so I can't read Catullus at all any more to judge the style of the source. But if Catullus is writing in his usual voice, it would be more reasonable to give him a normal modern English voice. If Catullus is writing in a hyped-up epic style, then you could give him a modern exaggerated style. I don't mean slangy, just not dated.
The style of the Latin is indeed far from colloquial and I’ve actually lightened it by not e.g. talking about “Amphitrite” (= the sea!). So though I agree with the general sentiment, in this case an element of archaic diction is not out of place…
Loved this, thanks 🙏 👏🫡👌
scud hits the mark but Golden Age betrays
the myth of metaled ages Virgil was to spin
his talia saecla contradict Catullus
Virgil’s was wishful thinking.
Catullus great but... I urge you to consider a style without the weird 19th century poetry diction. I don't see any value these days in reversed noun phrases like "race divine," or words that are only found in self-consciously epic narration like "aloft" and "braved."
I'm afraid all my Latin has returned from whence it came, so I can't read Catullus at all any more to judge the style of the source. But if Catullus is writing in his usual voice, it would be more reasonable to give him a normal modern English voice. If Catullus is writing in a hyped-up epic style, then you could give him a modern exaggerated style. I don't mean slangy, just not dated.
The style of the Latin is indeed far from colloquial and I’ve actually lightened it by not e.g. talking about “Amphitrite” (= the sea!). So though I agree with the general sentiment, in this case an element of archaic diction is not out of place…