[1-2] 1-2. A reminiscence of Catul. 70.1ff.
[2] tenere: sc. complexu; cf. Catul. 64.28.
[3] dilexi: doubtless chosen here to indicate pure sentiment as distinguished from physical passion, though diligere sometimes has the same meaning as amare, as in Catul. 6.5; Catul. 81.2.
[4] generos: i. e. generum et nurum, as gnatos is equivalent to filium filiamque, and Catul. 63.59 “genitoribus” to patre et matre.
[5] impensius uror: in spite of his better knowledge of her character, his passion continues to grow, and overmasters his judgment. But the fact that he recognizes this shows at least a possibility of recovery. Cf. Catul. 85.1ff.; Ter. Eun. 70ff. “nunc ego et illam scelestam esse et me miserum sentio et taedet; et amore ardeo” .
[7] potis est: sc. fieri, as in Catul. 42.16; Catul. 76.16, Catul. 76.24, potis stands here before a vowel for pote, as in Catul. 76.24.
[8] bene velle: to respect; cf. Catul. 75.3