Catullus 13 - I've Sent You Something to Brighten Your Teeth With Arabian Spices

I say, hello calpernianus with these hasty lines. I've sent you something to clean your teeth, to brighten your smile with arabian spices. It should have been more fitting for him to observe the disgusting custom of the spaniards. They, in catullus words, use their own urine to scrape their teeth and reddish gums. Mikedropha. Ha ha hahap. If you chance to laugh with opened lips, i ask you, what is shameful about these lines? Is there anything about them that a philosopher would not wish to be thought his unless perhaps i am to be faltered?"