Catullus 49

Cat. 49.1Disertissime Rōmulī nepōtum,
quot sunt quotque fuēre, Mārce Tullī,
quotque post aliīs erunt in annīs,
grātiās tibi maximās Catullus
5agit pessimus omnium poēta,
tantō pessimus omnium poēta
quantō tū optimus omnium patrōnus.Most eloquent of the descendants of Romulus, all who are, all who have been, Marcus Tullius, and all who will be in other years to come, Catullus, the worst poet of all, gives you his warmest thanks, as much the worst poet of all as you are the best advocate of all.Note. A thank-you note to Cicero (Marcus Tullius), for some unknown favour. Disertissime: vocative superlative of disertus, 'most eloquent'. Rōmulī nepōtum: 'of the descendants of Romulus', i.e. Romans. tantō … quantō: 'by as much … as'. Catullus calls himself the worst poet, Cicero the best patrōnus, advocate; scholars still argue whether the praise is sincere or ironic.