E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, Poem 91

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On the same theme as the preceding, but making clear the original grievance of Catullus against Gellius, that he was one of Lesbia's numerous lovers.

[2] misero: cf. Catul. 68.30n.

[2] nostro: for meo; with the change in the same sentence from mihi to nostro cf. Catul. 77.3f.; Catul. 116.5f.

[3] cognossem bene: cf. Catul. 61.187n. cognitae bene: the subjunctive indicates a possible reason, but marks it as contrary to fact; the indicative, in v.5, states the real reason.

[5-6] 5-6. A bitter turn of irony, explained by Catul. 88.1ff.; Catul. 89.1ff.; Catul. 90.1ff.

[5-6] edebat: cf. Catul. 35.15 “edunt” .

[7-10] quamvis: etc. i.e. any misdoing (culpa) which has a spice of wickedness (sceleris） in it has a charrn for Gellius, and if a chance to violate the most sacred ties of kindred is not at hand, the ties of friendship will do.

Catullus. Catullus. E. T. Merrill. Cambridge. Harvard University Press. 1893.

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