CATULLUS AND LESBIA.
27
no scope for developing. The feeling which is aroused is not one of pique or retaliation, or any like selfish resort of vengeance: he steels himself, theoretically, against the weakness of further dalliance with one so faithless; but his concern is for the most part about her fall from a pedestal whereon his love had set her:—
"A woman loved, as loved shall be
No woman e'er by thee again!"
No woman e'er by thee again!"
Some lingering glances are indeed thrown in the direction of past delights, and of "love for love;" but the burden of his song is the change it will be to her when she realises that
"Her love for every one
Has made her to be loved by none."
Has made her to be loved by none."
There is no consolation to be drawn from a bitter smile at this. Catullus sees the course which self-respect dictates to him, but cannot keep from the thought as to Lesbia—
"How drear thy life will be!
Who'll woo thee now? who praise thy charms?
Who now be all in all to thee,
And live but in thy loving arms?
Who'll woo thee now? who praise thy charms?
Who now be all in all to thee,
And live but in thy loving arms?
Ay, who will give thee kiss for kiss?
Whose lip wilt thou in rapture bite?
But thou, Catullus, think of this,
And spurn her in thine own despite."—(C. viii.)
Whose lip wilt thou in rapture bite?
But thou, Catullus, think of this,
And spurn her in thine own despite."—(C. viii.)
Fine resolves "to let the wanton go," which she, on
