Catallus CX - A Translation

Alfie, honest mistresses are lauded;

The presents they receive they earn, but you,

Who lead me on with lies, leave me defrauded.

My anti-mistress, brazen what you do;

You keep my gifts but, suddenly demure,

Renege on my reward.  Either be chaste

Before accepting fees or be the whore

That you pretend, your total body placed

Where just your mouth is.  Greed and "virtue" make

Strange bedfellows, each sure the other's fake.

David Berman

© David Berman.  Reprinted by permission of the author.