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Dear Mr Devenini Thanks for your invitation to the 'cashbar' at the National Arts Club on January 10th, and both me and my tie would very gladly come but unfortunately we will be in Rome. You'll have to drink all the cocktails without our humble assistance (though I do hope to read for Dialogue Among Civilizations in Rome in March, and I commend your efforts on arranging such a stellar cast of cities, poets and readings). Anyway, please accept a translation by way of apology. There were rumours Postumia was as they say 'involved' with Julius Caesar, so this too is what jk calls 'being political'. Have a swell time on the 10th! XXVII Minister vetuli puer Falerni inger mi calices amariores, ut lex Postumiae jubet magistrae ebriosa acina ebriosioris. At vos quo lubet hinc abite, lymphae, vini pernicies et ad severos migrate: hic merus est Thyonianus. Catullus 27 Boy serving old Falernian pour us more strong, more bitter cups, Postumia rules here tonight and her legs say crush all the grapes. Pure spring water, the stuff of Nymphs, you ruin wine, find sober friends. Here serve Bacchus’s mother’s drop! translated by Hugh Tolhurst _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.