Come boy, and pour for me a cup Of old Falernian. Fill it…
“Come boy, and pour for me a cup Of old Falernian. Fill it up With wine, strong, sparkling, bright, and clear; Our host decrees no water here. Let dullards drink the Nymph's pale brew, The sluggish thin their blood with dew. For such pale stuff we have no use; For us the purple grape's rich juice. Begone, ye chilling water sprite; Here burning Bacchus rules tonight! Catullus, Selections From Catullus No poems can live long or please that are written by water-drinkers.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker rejects water in favor of wine, celebrating indulgence and the power of revelry over restraint.
In simple terms: Rejects water, prefers wine and revelry.
Key Takeaway
Choose pleasure over moderation.
Themes
indulgence
celebration
rebellion
Mood
playful
defiant
Type
poetic
celebratory
When to use this quote
- banquets
- festivals
- social gatherings
- personal indulgence
Key Concepts
Roman poetry
wine symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize pleasure over restraint?
- How does indulgence affect community?
A Different Perspective
May lead to excess and neglect of health.