§2.8.1Ponendis in mille modos perfecta capillis, §2.8.2Comere sed solas digna, Cypassi, deas, §2.8.3Et mihi iucundo non rustica cognita furto, §2.8.4Apta quidem dominae, sed magis apta mihi — §2.8.5Quis fuit inter nos sociati corporis index?
Flawless in arranging hair in a thousand ways, yet worthy, Cypassis, to comb only goddesses, and known to me in sweet stealth as not rustic, suitable indeed for your mistress, but more suitable for me — Who was the informer of the union of our bodies between us?
§2.8.6Sensit concubitus unde Corinna tuos?
How did Corinna find out about your couplings?
§2.8.7Num tamen erubui? num, verbo lapsus in ullo,
Did I blush, however?
§2.8.8Furtivae Veneris conscia signa dedi?
Did I, slipping in any word, give conscious signs of our secret love?
What of the fact that, if anyone could sin in the case of a maidservant, I argued that he was lacking a sound mind?
The Thessalian burned with love for the beauty of the maid Briseis; the captive priestess of Phoebus was loved by the Mycenaean leader.
§2.8.13Nec sum ego Tantalide maior, nec maior Achille; §2.8.14Quod decuit reges, cur mihi turpe putem?
Nor am I greater than the descendant of Tantalus, nor greater than Achilles; why should I think that shameful for myself, which was fitting for kings?
§2.8.15Ut tamen iratos in te defixit ocellos, §2.8.16Vidi te totis erubuisse genis; §2.8.17At quanto, si forte refers, praesentior ipse §2.8.18Per Veneris feci numina magna fidem!
Yet, when she fixed her angry eyes on you, I saw that you blushed on your whole cheeks; But with how much more presence of mind did I myself, if by chance you recall, create belief by the great divine power of Venus!
You, goddess, may you order the perjuries of a pure mind to be carried by the warm South Winds over the Carpathian sea!
In return for which services, repay to me the sweet price of your embraces today, dark Cypassis!
§2.8.23Quid renuis fingisque novos, ingrata, timores?
Why do you refuse and invent new fears, ungrateful woman?
§2.8.24Unum est e dominis emeruisse satis.
It is enough to have satisfied one of your masters.
§2.8.25Quod si stulta negas, index anteacta fatebor, §2.8.26Et veniam culpae proditor ipse meae, §2.8.27Quoque loco tecum fuerim, quotiensque, Cypassi, §2.8.28Narrabo dominae, quotque quibusque modis!
But if you foolishly refuse, I will confess our past deeds as an informer, and I will go as the betrayer of my own fault, and in what place I was with you, and how many times, Cypassis, I will tell our mistress, and in how many and what ways!