Lines in Catullus

Latin Learning Latin
1

I’m up against a bit of a wall for these few lines:

Catullus 1.3-5: Corneli, tibi: nameque tu solebas meas esse aliquid putare nugas…

I have a feeling it should be “Cornelius, to you, for /you/ were accustomed to thinking that my little trifles were (worth) something…” The thing that has me arrested is that /aliquid/ is singular, right? So it can’t possibly be modifying /meas nugas/.

Catullus 5.11 : conturbabimus, illa ne sciamus…

It’s the “illa” that I’ve been struggling with. Where does it fit? It can only be feminine nominative and ablative, right? And then since “sciamus” is first plural, “illa” can’t be nominative. So it can’t be nominative…but I can’t find an ablative meaning that will fit it…needless to say, I am very confused.

I’d be much obliged if someone could help me :smiley:

Cheers!

2

The thing that has me arrested is that /aliquid/ is singular, right? So it can’t possibly be modifying /meas nugas/.

Well, “modifying” probably isn’t the word you’re looking for. Think of the equivalent in English: “Cornelius, to you: for you were accustomed to thinking that my triffles were something.” “something” remains singular in English, as well as in the Latin “aliquid.” Another example: “All your lies were just a big hoax!” etc.

“illa” means “those things,” and is the neuter plural of “ille.” It is accusative, and refers to the “basia,” the kisses.

3

Ahhhh. Thanks, that helps a lot.