Hesterno die

• yesterday, Licinius, at leisure

  we played a lot on my writing tablets

  as it was agreed that we were frivolous:

  each of us writing short verses

  was playing in meter - now in this one, now in that one,

  returning poems In turn through laughter and wine.
• and I went away from there, inflamed with your

  charm, Licinius, and your wit,

  with the result that neither food helped me, wretched,

  nor sleep covered my little eyes with rest,

  but untamed by madness I was tossing and turning

  on the whole bed, wanting to see the light,

  so that I might speak with you,

  and so that I mightbe with you.
• but after my limbs exhausted from work

  were lying half-dead on the little bed,

  I made this poem for you pleasantly,

  from which you might see my pain.
• now take care hat you are not reckless,

  and I pray, take care that you don't reject my entreaties,

  little eye, so that Nemesis may not exact punishment

  from you. She is a powerful goddess: take care

  not to harm this one.