17 AUGUST 1951, Page 14

SPECTATOR COMPETITION No. 79

Set by R. S. Stanier

A prize of f5, which may be divided, is offered for a verse translation of Catullus VIIL: Miser Catulle, desinas ineptire, et quod vides perisse perditum ducal. fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles, cum ventitetbas quo puella ducebat amata nobis quantum arnabitur nulla.

ibi illa multa turn iocosa fiebant, quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat.

fulsere vere candidi tibi soles.

nunc Mtn illa non vult : tu quoque inpotens noli, _ nec quae fugit sectare, nec miser vive, sed obstinata mente perfer, obdura.

vale, puella. tam Catullus obdurat, nec to requiret nec rogabit invitarn.

at tu dolebis cum rogaberis nulla.

scelesta quae to—vae tibi—manet vita !

quis nunc to adibit ? cui videberis bella ?

quern nunc ainabis? cuius esse diceris?

quern basiabis? cui iabella mordebis?

at tu, Catulle, destinatus obdura.

Entries must be addressed to the Spectator, 99 Gower Street, London, W.C.I, in envelopes marked "Competition," and must be received not later than August 29th. Results will be published in the Spectator of September 7th.