meae vitae: cf. Catul. 109.1; Catul. 45.13; Catul. 68.155.
[2] carior oculis: cf. Catul. 3.5n.
[3] non potui: etc. however true this statement at the time of writing (cf. Intr. 24), Catullus found it possible later to love and hate (Catul. 85.1ff.), and to speak bitter enough words of Lesbia.
[3] perdite amarem: cf. Catul. 45.3.
[4] Tappone: otherwise unknown, though the name is not rare in inscriptions. B. Schmidt, however, suggests that as Tappo was shown by Mommsen (Arch. Zeit. vol. 40, col. 176) to be a stock comic figure at Roman feasts, Catullus may here mean to reprove jestingly his unnamed friend for taking in earnest words of the poet about Lesbia let fall in ioco atque vino.
[4] omnia monstra facis: i. e. you and Tappo are given to that scandalous gossip that makes mountains out of mole-hills, and delights in fanning enmities between friends.
