27 JANUARY 1967, Page 14

Miser Catulle

SIR,—I was fascinated by Mr Quintin Hogg's review of the latest translation of his favourite Catullus, and I certainly agree with him that the rendering he quotes of the odi et amo couplet is a sadly pedestrian affair. Will he allow me, I wonder, to offer my own humble substitute?

I hate her and I love her—do you ask How can that be?

I know not, but I feel I do, and that Is agony.

A poor thing, but perhaps more along the lines he appears, rightly, to desiderate.

The Oaks, Berkhamsted, Herts.