# Latin/Lesson 9-Poem

**_A Poem by Catullus_**

I. ad Cornelium `<poem>`{=html} cui dono lepidum nouum libellum arida
modo pumice expolitum. Corneli tibi namque tu solebas meas esse aliquid
putare nugas iam tum cum ausus es unus Italorum omne aeuum tribus
explicare cartis doctis Iuppiter et laboriosis. quare habe tibi quidquid
hoc libelli qualecumque quidem est. patroni et ergo plus uno maneat
perenne saeclo. `</poem>`{=html} 1. to Cornelius `<poem>`{=html} To whom
do I send this fresh little book of wit, lately polished dry with pumice
stone? To you, Cornelius: since you were accustomed to consider my
trifles worth something even then, when you alone of Italians dared to
explain all the ages, in three learned works, by Jupiter, and with the
greatest labour. Then take this little book for your own: whatever it
is, and is worth: virgin Muse, patroness, let it last, for more lives
than one. `</poem>`{=html}

**_Notes_**

Title: ad Cornelium

Ad is a Preposition meaning \"to\" and therefore never changes case. The
name Cornelius is a second declension masculine noun. Names are declined
the same as any other noun. You need only decline the singular since
there is only one Cornelius.\
Nom. Cornelius\
Voc. Corneli\
Acc. Cornelium\
Gen. Cornelii\
Dat. Cornelio\
Abl. Cornelio\
The translation is \"To Cornelius\". The Preposition \"ad\" is only used
with the Accusative Case. The Accusative Case is the same as the English
Object Case.

Second declension male names ending 'ius' have the double 'ii' form in
the genitive.

Line One: Cui dono lepidum nouum libellum?

