Laevius

Laevius (died c. 80 BC) was a Latin poet, of whom practically nothing is known. He is sometimes identified with the Laevius Melissus mentioned by Suetonius.

Quotes

 * Te Andromacha per ludum manu lasciuola ac tenellula capiti meo, trepidans libens insolita plexit munera.
 * With her hands Andromacha, for sport, those tender, playful little hands, eager and excited, for my head wove you, extraordinary gift.
 * From Erotopaegnia (tr. Kenneth Quinn)


 * Corpore (inquit) pectoreque undique obeso ac Mente exsensa tardigenuclo Senio obpressum.
 * Of chest and body wasted everywhere; Of mind devoid of sense and slow of pace; With age o’ercome.
 * From Alcestis, quoted by, XIX, vii, 3 (tr. J. C. Rolfe)


 * Venus  amoris altrix, genetrix cupiditatis, mihi quae diem serenum hilarula praepandere cresti, opesculae tuae ac ministrae.
 * O Venus, who keeps love alive, mother of longing and desire, it is you who favors me, your little maid servant, and spends out a clam day in front of me.
 * From Pterygion Phoenicis, quoted by, 288 K (tr. C. F. Heffernan)

About

 * The grammarians too were so highly esteemed, and their compensation was so ample, that Lutatius Daphnis, whom Laevius Melissus, punning on his name, often called the “darling of Pan,” is known to have been bought for seven hundred thousand sesterces and soon afterwards set free.
 * Suetonius, De Grammaticis, III (tr. J. C. Rolfe)