Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Milvus Viscera Comedens (color-coded)
MILVUS VISCERA COMEDENS. More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
Milvus edax, nimiae · quem nausea torserat escae,
Hei mihi, mater, ait, || viscer(a) ab ore fluunt.
Ill(a) autem, Quid fles? · Cur haec tua viscera credas,
Qui rapto vivens || sol(a) aliena vomis?
Notes: None.
Milvus edax, nimiae · quem nausea torserat escae,
Hei mihi, mater, ait, || viscer(a) ab ore fluunt.
Ill(a) autem, Quid fles? · Cur haec tua viscera credas,
Qui rapto vivens || sol(a) aliena vomis?
Notes: None.
Musca et Currus (color-coded)
PUER ET FUR. More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
In rapidi radio · currus fors Musca sedebat;
Progrediente rota || plurima pulvis erat.
Continuo clamat · iactanter Musca pusilla,
"En! equidem quantum || pulveris ipse cio."
Notes: None.
In rapidi radio · currus fors Musca sedebat;
Progrediente rota || plurima pulvis erat.
Continuo clamat · iactanter Musca pusilla,
"En! equidem quantum || pulveris ipse cio."
Notes: None.
Puer et Fur (color-coded)
PUER ET FUR. More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
Fontibus est puteum · vivis; ibi forte sedebat
Flens Puer; ac Furi, || cur fleat ipse, refert:
"Flere mihi fas est; · nam, ruptis funibus, eheu!
Aurea sub laevas || urna subivit aquas."
Dixerat: extemplo · direptis vestibus aurum
Fur avidus sibi vult, || in puteumque micat.
Vas ubi non reperit, mox se fert rursus in auras;
Haud Puer, haud vestis, || quam tueatur, adest.
Notes: None.
Fontibus est puteum · vivis; ibi forte sedebat
Flens Puer; ac Furi, || cur fleat ipse, refert:
"Flere mihi fas est; · nam, ruptis funibus, eheu!
Aurea sub laevas || urna subivit aquas."
Dixerat: extemplo · direptis vestibus aurum
Fur avidus sibi vult, || in puteumque micat.
Vas ubi non reperit, mox se fert rursus in auras;
Haud Puer, haud vestis, || quam tueatur, adest.
Notes: None.
Corvus et Scorpion (color-coded)
CORVUS ET SCORPION. More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
Raptabat volucres · captum pede corvus in auras
Scorpion, audaci || praemia parta gulae.
Ast ill(e) infuso · sensim per membra veneno,
Raptor(em) in Stygias || compulit ultor aquas.
O risu res dign(a) aliis qui fata parabat,
Ipse perit, propriis || succubuitque dolis.
Notes: In the fifth line, the better caesura would be in the fourth foot, but for the purposes of the color coding here, I have marked it in the third foot.
Raptabat volucres · captum pede corvus in auras
Scorpion, audaci || praemia parta gulae.
Ast ill(e) infuso · sensim per membra veneno,
Raptor(em) in Stygias || compulit ultor aquas.
O risu res dign(a) aliis qui fata parabat,
Ipse perit, propriis || succubuitque dolis.
Notes: In the fifth line, the better caesura would be in the fourth foot, but for the purposes of the color coding here, I have marked it in the third foot.
Haedus et Lupus (color-coded)
HAEDUS ET LUPUS. More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
Est monitis semper · reverentia danda parentis:
Consilium, iuvenes, || mente tenete senum.
Iamqu(e) erat orta dies, · Haedum cum clausit in aula
Capra; frui nemoris || frondibus ipsa parat.
Discessu sobolem · monuit tamen anxia mater,
"Pande fores nulli, || donec eg(o) ipsa voco."
Haec Lupus audierat; · mox pulsat et imperat Haedo,
Voce Capram simulans; || "Heus, bone, solve seras."
"Ianua clausa," refert · per rimas ille, "manebit:
Voce vocor Caprae || prospicioque Lupum."
Notes: None.
Est monitis semper · reverentia danda parentis:
Consilium, iuvenes, || mente tenete senum.
Iamqu(e) erat orta dies, · Haedum cum clausit in aula
Capra; frui nemoris || frondibus ipsa parat.
Discessu sobolem · monuit tamen anxia mater,
"Pande fores nulli, || donec eg(o) ipsa voco."
Haec Lupus audierat; · mox pulsat et imperat Haedo,
Voce Capram simulans; || "Heus, bone, solve seras."
"Ianua clausa," refert · per rimas ille, "manebit:
Voce vocor Caprae || prospicioque Lupum."
Notes: None.
Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.
Anguillas captans (color-coded)
ANGUILLAS CAPTANS.
More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
Anguillas quisquis · captat, si limpida verrat
Flumina, s(i) illimes || ausit adire lacus,
Cassus erit, ludet·qu(e) operam: mult(um) excitet ergo
Si cret(ae), et vitreas || palmula turbet aquas,
Dives erit: sic iis · res publica turbida lucr(o) est,
Qui pac(e), arctati || legibus, esuriunt.
Notes: It is also possible to consider the third line to have a fourth-foot caesura; for the purposes of this color-coding system, I have chosen to mark it in the third foot.
More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
Anguillas quisquis · captat, si limpida verrat
Flumina, s(i) illimes || ausit adire lacus,
Cassus erit, ludet·qu(e) operam: mult(um) excitet ergo
Si cret(ae), et vitreas || palmula turbet aquas,
Dives erit: sic iis · res publica turbida lucr(o) est,
Qui pac(e), arctati || legibus, esuriunt.
Notes: It is also possible to consider the third line to have a fourth-foot caesura; for the purposes of this color-coding system, I have chosen to mark it in the third foot.
Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.
Leo et Capella (color-coded)
LEO ET CAPELLA.
More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
Forte Leo vidit · restant(em) in rupe Capellam:
Scilicet huc illuc || ardua rupis erat.
"Editiore loco · descendas," callidus ille
Incipit; "in campo || dulcior herba viret."
"At locus est," ait haec, · "gratus; mihi pabula rupis
Laeta minus praebet, || tuta sed ista placent."
Notes: Given the choice, I tend to read ait as two syllables in dactylic verse. What do others do?
More information about this poem and about the color-coding.
Forte Leo vidit · restant(em) in rupe Capellam:
Scilicet huc illuc || ardua rupis erat.
"Editiore loco · descendas," callidus ille
Incipit; "in campo || dulcior herba viret."
"At locus est," ait haec, · "gratus; mihi pabula rupis
Laeta minus praebet, || tuta sed ista placent."
Notes: Given the choice, I tend to read ait as two syllables in dactylic verse. What do others do?
Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.
Color-Coding Meter
One of the biggest problems that students face with meter is that they get lost in the details of the feet, without seeing the overall shape of the line. By color-coding the distinct parts of the hexameter and pentamenter lines, perhaps I can make those parts appear more clearly to the students.
Here are the principles I will be following
1) I'll be working with "typical" verse lines only, which is to say that the hexameter line will have its caesura in the third foot, and that it will have a dactyl for the fifth foot. In particular, the marking is much more clear when there is a diaeresis at the juncture of the fourth and fifth foot. It's good for students to become familiar with this standard kind of couplet; they can learn about less commonly found metrical patterns later on.
2) RED for double dactyl. For the first three feet of the hexameter line, I will use red to mark a double dactyl, including the first element of the third foot. Likewise, I will use red to mark a double dactyl in a pentameter hemistich. For the third and fourth foot of the hexameter line, I will also use red to mark a double dactyl (although the first element of the third foot will not be marked, coming as it does before the caesura).
3) BLUE for dactyl-spondee. For the first three feet of the hexameter line, I will use blue to mark a dactyl-spondee, including the first element of the third foot. Likewise, I will use blue to mark a dactyl-spondee in a pentameter hemistich. For the third and fourth foot of the hexameter line, I will also use blue to mark a dactyl-spondee (although the first element of the third foot will not be marked, coming as it does before the caesura).
4) GREEN for spondee-dactyl. For the first three feet of the hexameter line, I will use green to mark a spondee-dactyl, including the first element of the third foot. Likewise, I will use green to mark a spondee-dactyl in a pentameter hemistich. For the third and fourth foot of the hexameter line, I will also use green to mark a spondee-dactyl (although the first element of the third foot will not be marked, coming as it does before the caesura).
5) BROWN for spondee-spondee. For the first three feet of the hexameter line, I will use purple to mark a spondee-spondee, including the first element of the third foot. Likewise, I will use purple to mark a spondee-spondee in a pentameter hemistich. For the third and fourth foot of the hexameter line, I will also use purple to mark a spondee-spondee (although the first element of the third foot will not be marked, coming as it does before the caesura).
For more samples, look at the posts labeled as "colorcoded" for meter: Color-Coding Meter.
Sample poem: RUSTICUS ET HERCULES (more information)
Altius in caeno · plaustrum fort(e) haesit Agrestis;
Difficilis longo || facta vi(a) imbre fuit.
Segnis at Alciden · precibus petit: "O! Deus," inquit,
"Dexter ades nobis || auxiliumque refer."
"Quid tibi nobiscum?" Sic torvus reddidit ille,
"Ex aliis quid opes || auxiliumque rogas?
Incut(e) equis flagrum; · propria vi nititor ipse;
Si non profuerit, || fas et adire Deos."
Here are the principles I will be following
1) I'll be working with "typical" verse lines only, which is to say that the hexameter line will have its caesura in the third foot, and that it will have a dactyl for the fifth foot. In particular, the marking is much more clear when there is a diaeresis at the juncture of the fourth and fifth foot. It's good for students to become familiar with this standard kind of couplet; they can learn about less commonly found metrical patterns later on.
2) RED for double dactyl. For the first three feet of the hexameter line, I will use red to mark a double dactyl, including the first element of the third foot. Likewise, I will use red to mark a double dactyl in a pentameter hemistich. For the third and fourth foot of the hexameter line, I will also use red to mark a double dactyl (although the first element of the third foot will not be marked, coming as it does before the caesura).
3) BLUE for dactyl-spondee. For the first three feet of the hexameter line, I will use blue to mark a dactyl-spondee, including the first element of the third foot. Likewise, I will use blue to mark a dactyl-spondee in a pentameter hemistich. For the third and fourth foot of the hexameter line, I will also use blue to mark a dactyl-spondee (although the first element of the third foot will not be marked, coming as it does before the caesura).
4) GREEN for spondee-dactyl. For the first three feet of the hexameter line, I will use green to mark a spondee-dactyl, including the first element of the third foot. Likewise, I will use green to mark a spondee-dactyl in a pentameter hemistich. For the third and fourth foot of the hexameter line, I will also use green to mark a spondee-dactyl (although the first element of the third foot will not be marked, coming as it does before the caesura).
5) BROWN for spondee-spondee. For the first three feet of the hexameter line, I will use purple to mark a spondee-spondee, including the first element of the third foot. Likewise, I will use purple to mark a spondee-spondee in a pentameter hemistich. For the third and fourth foot of the hexameter line, I will also use purple to mark a spondee-spondee (although the first element of the third foot will not be marked, coming as it does before the caesura).
For more samples, look at the posts labeled as "colorcoded" for meter: Color-Coding Meter.
Sample poem: RUSTICUS ET HERCULES (more information)
Altius in caeno · plaustrum fort(e) haesit Agrestis;
Difficilis longo || facta vi(a) imbre fuit.
Segnis at Alciden · precibus petit: "O! Deus," inquit,
"Dexter ades nobis || auxiliumque refer."
"Quid tibi nobiscum?" Sic torvus reddidit ille,
"Ex aliis quid opes || auxiliumque rogas?
Incut(e) equis flagrum; · propria vi nititor ipse;
Si non profuerit, || fas et adire Deos."
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Lines to Remember
As part of my long-term project not just to collect but to compose fables in elegiac verse, I am consulting the good old 19th-century Latin verse composition handbooks for advice. In Versiculi: A Latin Elegiac Verse Book by J.H. Raven, the author states that "no one can be expected to achieve any success whatever, unless he is perfectly familiar with, and can readily quote from at least some hundred lines of Latin poetry." So, in that spirit, I'm going to try to find a few couplets every day that seem to me worth committing to memory.
Rusticus et Hercules (Trinity): (lines)
Incute equis flagrum: propria vi nititor ipse;
Si non profuerit, || fas et adire Deos."
Capra et Lupus (Alciato):
Capra, lupum non sponte meo · nunc ubere lacto,
Quod male pastoris || provida cura iubet.
Taurus et Hircus (Trinity):
"Non tua frons horrenda mihi, non, improbe, cornu.
Qui sequitur, solus || territat iste Leo."
Asinus Rubum Comedens:
Namque asinus dorso · pretiosa obsonia gestat,
Seque rubo, aut dura || carice pauper alit.
Cerva et Vitis (Trinity):
Tum moriens dixit, "Nocuit mea culpa merenti;
Id, quo tutus eram, || vulnere saeva peto."
Haedus et Lupus (Trinity):
"Ianua clausa," refert · per rimas ille, "manebit:
Voce vocor Caprae || prospicioque Lupum."
Asinus in Pelle Leonis (Trinity):
Ipsum cognoscas; noli simulare, quod haud es;
Utere contentus, || quod tibi sorte datum est.
Corvus et Scorpion (Alciato):
Ast ille infuso · sensim per membra veneno,
Raptorem in Stygias || compulit ultor aquas.
Puer et Fur (Trinity):
Vas ubi non reperit, mox se fert rursus in auras;
Haud Puer, haud vestis, || quam tueatur, adest.
Mus et Ostrea (Alciato):
Deprensum et tetro · tenuerunt carcere furem,
Semet in obscurum || qui dederat tumulum.
Musca et Currus (Trinity):
Continuo clamat · iactanter Musca pusilla,
"En! equidem quantum || pulveris ipse cio."
Milvus Viscera Comedens (Alciato):
Illa autem, Quid fles? Cur haec tua viscera credas,
Qui rapto vivens || sola aliena vomis?
Thunnus et Delphinus (Osius):
Ergo cum pereas · uno discrimine mecum,
Non mea nunc adeo || mors mihi tristis erit.
Anas Perfida (Alciato):
Perfida cognato · se sanguine polluit ales,
Officiosa aliis, || exitiosa suis.
Taurus et Mus (Trinity):
Parvula ne spernas; te Mus impune lacesso,
A minimo laesus || maximus," inquit," eras.
Rusticus et Hercules (Trinity): (lines)
Incute equis flagrum: propria vi nititor ipse;
Si non profuerit, || fas et adire Deos."
Capra et Lupus (Alciato):
Capra, lupum non sponte meo · nunc ubere lacto,
Quod male pastoris || provida cura iubet.
Taurus et Hircus (Trinity):
"Non tua frons horrenda mihi, non, improbe, cornu.
Qui sequitur, solus || territat iste Leo."
Asinus Rubum Comedens:
Namque asinus dorso · pretiosa obsonia gestat,
Seque rubo, aut dura || carice pauper alit.
Cerva et Vitis (Trinity):
Tum moriens dixit, "Nocuit mea culpa merenti;
Id, quo tutus eram, || vulnere saeva peto."
Haedus et Lupus (Trinity):
"Ianua clausa," refert · per rimas ille, "manebit:
Voce vocor Caprae || prospicioque Lupum."
Asinus in Pelle Leonis (Trinity):
Ipsum cognoscas; noli simulare, quod haud es;
Utere contentus, || quod tibi sorte datum est.
Corvus et Scorpion (Alciato):
Ast ille infuso · sensim per membra veneno,
Raptorem in Stygias || compulit ultor aquas.
Puer et Fur (Trinity):
Vas ubi non reperit, mox se fert rursus in auras;
Haud Puer, haud vestis, || quam tueatur, adest.
Mus et Ostrea (Alciato):
Deprensum et tetro · tenuerunt carcere furem,
Semet in obscurum || qui dederat tumulum.
Musca et Currus (Trinity):
Continuo clamat · iactanter Musca pusilla,
"En! equidem quantum || pulveris ipse cio."
Milvus Viscera Comedens (Alciato):
Illa autem, Quid fles? Cur haec tua viscera credas,
Qui rapto vivens || sola aliena vomis?
Thunnus et Delphinus (Osius):
Ergo cum pereas · uno discrimine mecum,
Non mea nunc adeo || mors mihi tristis erit.
Anas Perfida (Alciato):
Perfida cognato · se sanguine polluit ales,
Officiosa aliis, || exitiosa suis.
Taurus et Mus (Trinity):
Parvula ne spernas; te Mus impune lacesso,
A minimo laesus || maximus," inquit," eras.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Ollae Duae (Alciato)
Source: The emblems of Alciato, with a convenient bilingual presentation online at Memorial University, and a marvelous collection of illustrated editions at Glasgow.
Other Versions: For other versions see Perry 378.
Emblem 166: ALIQUID MALI PROPTER VICINUM MALUM
Raptabat torrens · ollas, quarum una metallo,
Altera erat figuli || terrea facta manu.
Hanc igitur rogat · illa, velit sibi proxima ferri,
Iuncta ut praecipites || utraque sistat aquas.
Cui lutea: Haud nobis · tua sunt commercia curae,
Ne mihi proximitas || haec mala multa ferat.
Nam seu te nobis, seu nos tibi conferat unda,
Ipsa ego te fragilis || sospite sola terar.
Prose paraphrase:
Torrens
ollas raptabat,
quarum una
metallo,
altera terrea erat,
figuli manu facta.
Illa igitur
hanc luteam rogat
velit sibi proxima ferri,
ut utraque iuncta
aquas praecipites sistat.
Cui lutea:
Tua commercia
haud nobis curae sunt,
ne haec proximitas
multa mala mihi ferat.
nam
seu unda
te nobis conferat,
seu nos tibi,
ego fragilis
ipsa sola terar,
te sospite.
Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1542 edition of the emblems:
Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:
Raptabat torrens ollas, quarum una metallo,
rapto drag violently off; ravage
torrens torrent, rushing stream
olla pot, jar
qui who, which
unus alone, a single/sole; some, some one; only; one set of
metallum metal; mine; quarry
Altera erat figuli || terrea facta manu.
alter one; second/another; former/latter
sum be; exist
figulus potter; maker of earthenware vessels
terreus one born of the earth
facio make/build/construct/create/cause/do; have built/made; fashion; work
manus hand, fist; team; gang, band of soldiers; handwriting; trunk
Hanc igitur rogat illa, velit sibi proxima ferri,
hic this; these
igitur therefore, so/then; consequently; accordingly; well/in that case
rogo ask, ask for; invite; introduce
ille that; those; also DEMONST; that person/thing; the well known; the former
volo wish, want, prefer; be willing, will
se reflexive; -self
proximus nearest/closest/next; most recent, immediately preceding, last; most/very like
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
Iuncta ut praecipites || utraque sistat aquas.
junctus connected in space, adjoining, contiguous; closely related/associated
ut to, in order that/to; how, as, when, while; even if
praeceps head first, headlong; steep, precipitous
uterque each (of two), both
sisto stop, check; cause to stand; set up
aqua water; sea, lake; river, stream; rain, rainfall, rainwater; spa; urine
Cui lutea: Haud nobis tua sunt commercia curae,
qui who, which
luteus yellow; saffron; of mud or clay; good for nothing
haud not, not at all, by no means; not
nos we
tuus your
sum be; exist
commercium trade/traffic/commerce; commercial/sex intercourse/relations
cura concern, worry, anxiety, trouble; attention, care, pains, zeal; cure, treatment
Ne mihi proximitas || haec mala multa ferat.
ne that not, lest
ego I
proximitas near relationship; resemblance; similarity
hic this; these
malus bad, evil, wicked; ugly; unlucky
multus much, many, great, many a; large, intense, assiduous; tedious
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
Nam seu te nobis, seu nos tibi conferat unda,
nam for, on the other hand; for instance
seu or if; or
tu you
nos we
confero bring together, carry/convey; collect/gather, compare; unite, add; direct/aim
unda wave
Ipsa ego te fragilis || sospite sola terar.
ipse himself/herself/itself; the very/real/actual one; in person; themselves
ego I
tu you
fragilis brittle, frail; impermanent
sospes safe and sound; auspicious
solus only, single; lonely; alone, having no companion/friend/protector; unique
tero rub, wear away, wear out; tread;
Other Versions: For other versions see Perry 378.
Emblem 166: ALIQUID MALI PROPTER VICINUM MALUM
Raptabat torrens · ollas, quarum una metallo,
Altera erat figuli || terrea facta manu.
Hanc igitur rogat · illa, velit sibi proxima ferri,
Iuncta ut praecipites || utraque sistat aquas.
Cui lutea: Haud nobis · tua sunt commercia curae,
Ne mihi proximitas || haec mala multa ferat.
Nam seu te nobis, seu nos tibi conferat unda,
Ipsa ego te fragilis || sospite sola terar.
Prose paraphrase:
Torrens
ollas raptabat,
quarum una
metallo,
altera terrea erat,
figuli manu facta.
Illa igitur
hanc luteam rogat
velit sibi proxima ferri,
ut utraque iuncta
aquas praecipites sistat.
Cui lutea:
Tua commercia
haud nobis curae sunt,
ne haec proximitas
multa mala mihi ferat.
nam
seu unda
te nobis conferat,
seu nos tibi,
ego fragilis
ipsa sola terar,
te sospite.
Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1542 edition of the emblems:
Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:
Raptabat torrens ollas, quarum una metallo,
rapto drag violently off; ravage
torrens torrent, rushing stream
olla pot, jar
qui who, which
unus alone, a single/sole; some, some one; only; one set of
metallum metal; mine; quarry
Altera erat figuli || terrea facta manu.
alter one; second/another; former/latter
sum be; exist
figulus potter; maker of earthenware vessels
terreus one born of the earth
facio make/build/construct/create/cause/do; have built/made; fashion; work
manus hand, fist; team; gang, band of soldiers; handwriting; trunk
Hanc igitur rogat illa, velit sibi proxima ferri,
hic this; these
igitur therefore, so/then; consequently; accordingly; well/in that case
rogo ask, ask for; invite; introduce
ille that; those; also DEMONST; that person/thing; the well known; the former
volo wish, want, prefer; be willing, will
se reflexive; -self
proximus nearest/closest/next; most recent, immediately preceding, last; most/very like
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
Iuncta ut praecipites || utraque sistat aquas.
junctus connected in space, adjoining, contiguous; closely related/associated
ut to, in order that/to; how, as, when, while; even if
praeceps head first, headlong; steep, precipitous
uterque each (of two), both
sisto stop, check; cause to stand; set up
aqua water; sea, lake; river, stream; rain, rainfall, rainwater; spa; urine
Cui lutea: Haud nobis tua sunt commercia curae,
qui who, which
luteus yellow; saffron; of mud or clay; good for nothing
haud not, not at all, by no means; not
nos we
tuus your
sum be; exist
commercium trade/traffic/commerce; commercial/sex intercourse/relations
cura concern, worry, anxiety, trouble; attention, care, pains, zeal; cure, treatment
Ne mihi proximitas || haec mala multa ferat.
ne that not, lest
ego I
proximitas near relationship; resemblance; similarity
hic this; these
malus bad, evil, wicked; ugly; unlucky
multus much, many, great, many a; large, intense, assiduous; tedious
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
Nam seu te nobis, seu nos tibi conferat unda,
nam for, on the other hand; for instance
seu or if; or
tu you
nos we
confero bring together, carry/convey; collect/gather, compare; unite, add; direct/aim
unda wave
Ipsa ego te fragilis || sospite sola terar.
ipse himself/herself/itself; the very/real/actual one; in person; themselves
ego I
tu you
fragilis brittle, frail; impermanent
sospes safe and sound; auspicious
solus only, single; lonely; alone, having no companion/friend/protector; unique
tero rub, wear away, wear out; tread;
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Milvus Viscera Comedens (Alciato)
This poem by Alciato has been moved to the ICTIBUS FELICIBUS blog.
Thunnus et Delphinus (Osius)
Source: Hieronymus Osius.
Other Versions: For variations on this fable, Perry 113.
Thunnus,
Delphinum fugiens,
qui pone sese fatigat,
inter aquas
praeceps agi coeperat,
ut impetus maximus
sic in terram ambos ferat,
hinc
Thunnus moriens
ita Delphino ait:
ergo cum mecum pereas
uno discrimine,
nunc adeo mea mors
non mihi tristis erit.
quia mutua fata
te, nostrae necis auctorem, perdunt,
mori tecum promptior esse velim.
qui immerito mala fert,
tum horum patientior est,
cum auctores videt
pariter illa pati.
Image. Here is the illustration of the fable (image source) from a 19th-century edition of the fables:
Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:
Delphinum fugiens, qui sese pone fatigat,
delphinus dolphin; ornament shaped like a dolphin; constellation
fugio flee, fly, run away; avoid, shun; go into exile
qui who, which
se reflexive; -self
pone behind
fatigo weary, tire, fatigue; harass; importune; overcome
Thunnus agi praeceps || coeperat inter aquas.
thunnus tuna fish
ago drive/urge/conduct/act; spend; thank; deliver
praeceps head first, headlong; steep, precipitous
coepio begin, commence, initiate; set foot on
inter between, among; during
aqua water; sea, lake; river, stream; rain, rainfall, rainwater; spa; urine
Maximus in terram sic ut ferat impetus ambos,
magnus large/great/big/vast/huge; much; powerful; tall/long/broad; extensive/spacious
in into; about, in the mist of; according to, after; for; to, among
terra earth, land, ground; country, region
sic thus, so; as follows; in another way; in such a way
ut to, in order that/to; how, as, when, while; even if
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
impetus attack, assault, charge; attempt; impetus, vigor; violent mental urge, fury
ambo both; two of pair; two considered together, both parties; each of two
Delphino moriens || hinc ita Thunnus ait:
delphinus dolphin; ornament shaped like a dolphin; constellation
morior die, expire, pass/die/wither away/out; fail, come to an end; decay
hinc from here, from this source/cause; hence, henceforth
ita thus, so; therefore
thunnus tuna fish
aio say, assert; say yes/so, affirm, assent; prescribe/lay down
Ergo cum pereas uno discrimine mecum,
ergo therefore; well, then, now
cum with, together/jointly/along/simultaneous with, amid; supporting; attached
pereo die, pass away; be ruined, be destroyed; go to waste
unus alone, a single/sole; some, some one; only; one set of
discrimen crisis, separating line, division; distinction, difference
ego I
Non mea nunc adeo || mors mihi tristis erit.
non not, by no means, no
meus my; mine, of me, belonging to me; my own; to me
nunc now, today, at present
adeo to such a degree/pass/point; precisely, exactly; thus far; indeed, truly, even
mors death; corpse; annihilation
ego I
tristis sad, sorrowful; gloomy
sum be; exist
Te necis auctorem nostrae quia mutua perdunt
tu you
nex death; murder
auctor seller, vendor; originator; historian; authority; proposer, supporter; founder
noster our
quia because
mutuus borrowed, lent; mutual, in return
perdo ruin, destroy; lose; waste
Fata, mori tecum || promptior esse velim.
fatum utterance, oracle; fate, destiny; natural term of life; doom, death, calamity
morior die, expire, pass/die/wither away/out; fail, come to an end; decay
tu you
promptus set forth, brought forward, manifest, disclosed; willing, ready, eager, quick
sum be; exist
volo wish, want, prefer; be willing, will
Qui fert immerito mala, tum patientior horum est,
qui who, which
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
immerito unjustly; without cause
malus bad, evil, wicked; ugly; unlucky
tum moreover
patiens patient/long-suffering; tolerant/easy-going; submissive/liable/susceptible to
hic this; these
sum be; exist
Auctores pariter || cum videt illa pati.
auctor seller, vendor; originator; historian; authority; proposer, supporter; founder
pariter equally; together
cum when, at the time/on each occasion/in the situation that; after; since/although
video see, look at; consider; seem, seem good, appear, be seen
ille that; those; also DEMONST; that person/thing; the well known; the former
patior suffer; allow; undergo, endure; permit
Other Versions: For variations on this fable, Perry 113.
Fable 190. THUNNUS ET DELPHINUS
Delphinum fugiens, qui sese pone fatigat,
Thunnus agi praeceps || coeperat inter aquas.
Maximus in terram · sic ut ferat impetus ambos,
Delphino moriens || hinc ita Thunnus ait:
Ergo cum pereas · uno discrimine mecum,
Non mea nunc adeo || mors mihi tristis erit.
Te necis auctorem · nostrae quia mutua perdunt
Fata, mori tecum || promptior esse velim.
Qui fert immerito · mala, tum patientior horum est,
Auctores pariter || cum videt illa pati.
Prose paraphrase:Delphinum fugiens, qui sese pone fatigat,
Thunnus agi praeceps || coeperat inter aquas.
Maximus in terram · sic ut ferat impetus ambos,
Delphino moriens || hinc ita Thunnus ait:
Ergo cum pereas · uno discrimine mecum,
Non mea nunc adeo || mors mihi tristis erit.
Te necis auctorem · nostrae quia mutua perdunt
Fata, mori tecum || promptior esse velim.
Qui fert immerito · mala, tum patientior horum est,
Auctores pariter || cum videt illa pati.
Thunnus,
Delphinum fugiens,
qui pone sese fatigat,
inter aquas
praeceps agi coeperat,
ut impetus maximus
sic in terram ambos ferat,
hinc
Thunnus moriens
ita Delphino ait:
ergo cum mecum pereas
uno discrimine,
nunc adeo mea mors
non mihi tristis erit.
quia mutua fata
te, nostrae necis auctorem, perdunt,
mori tecum promptior esse velim.
qui immerito mala fert,
tum horum patientior est,
cum auctores videt
pariter illa pati.
Image. Here is the illustration of the fable (image source) from a 19th-century edition of the fables:
Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:
Delphinum fugiens, qui sese pone fatigat,
delphinus dolphin; ornament shaped like a dolphin; constellation
fugio flee, fly, run away; avoid, shun; go into exile
qui who, which
se reflexive; -self
pone behind
fatigo weary, tire, fatigue; harass; importune; overcome
Thunnus agi praeceps || coeperat inter aquas.
thunnus tuna fish
ago drive/urge/conduct/act; spend; thank; deliver
praeceps head first, headlong; steep, precipitous
coepio begin, commence, initiate; set foot on
inter between, among; during
aqua water; sea, lake; river, stream; rain, rainfall, rainwater; spa; urine
Maximus in terram sic ut ferat impetus ambos,
magnus large/great/big/vast/huge; much; powerful; tall/long/broad; extensive/spacious
in into; about, in the mist of; according to, after; for; to, among
terra earth, land, ground; country, region
sic thus, so; as follows; in another way; in such a way
ut to, in order that/to; how, as, when, while; even if
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
impetus attack, assault, charge; attempt; impetus, vigor; violent mental urge, fury
ambo both; two of pair; two considered together, both parties; each of two
Delphino moriens || hinc ita Thunnus ait:
delphinus dolphin; ornament shaped like a dolphin; constellation
morior die, expire, pass/die/wither away/out; fail, come to an end; decay
hinc from here, from this source/cause; hence, henceforth
ita thus, so; therefore
thunnus tuna fish
aio say, assert; say yes/so, affirm, assent; prescribe/lay down
Ergo cum pereas uno discrimine mecum,
ergo therefore; well, then, now
cum with, together/jointly/along/simultaneous with, amid; supporting; attached
pereo die, pass away; be ruined, be destroyed; go to waste
unus alone, a single/sole; some, some one; only; one set of
discrimen crisis, separating line, division; distinction, difference
ego I
Non mea nunc adeo || mors mihi tristis erit.
non not, by no means, no
meus my; mine, of me, belonging to me; my own; to me
nunc now, today, at present
adeo to such a degree/pass/point; precisely, exactly; thus far; indeed, truly, even
mors death; corpse; annihilation
ego I
tristis sad, sorrowful; gloomy
sum be; exist
Te necis auctorem nostrae quia mutua perdunt
tu you
nex death; murder
auctor seller, vendor; originator; historian; authority; proposer, supporter; founder
noster our
quia because
mutuus borrowed, lent; mutual, in return
perdo ruin, destroy; lose; waste
Fata, mori tecum || promptior esse velim.
fatum utterance, oracle; fate, destiny; natural term of life; doom, death, calamity
morior die, expire, pass/die/wither away/out; fail, come to an end; decay
tu you
promptus set forth, brought forward, manifest, disclosed; willing, ready, eager, quick
sum be; exist
volo wish, want, prefer; be willing, will
Qui fert immerito mala, tum patientior horum est,
qui who, which
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
immerito unjustly; without cause
malus bad, evil, wicked; ugly; unlucky
tum moreover
patiens patient/long-suffering; tolerant/easy-going; submissive/liable/susceptible to
hic this; these
sum be; exist
Auctores pariter || cum videt illa pati.
auctor seller, vendor; originator; historian; authority; proposer, supporter; founder
pariter equally; together
cum when, at the time/on each occasion/in the situation that; after; since/although
video see, look at; consider; seem, seem good, appear, be seen
ille that; those; also DEMONST; that person/thing; the well known; the former
patior suffer; allow; undergo, endure; permit
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Aethiops (Alciato)
Source: The emblems of Alciato, with a convenient bilingual presentation online at Memorial University, and a marvelous collection of illustrated editions at Glasgow.
Other Versions: For other versions of the story of "washing the Aethiopian," see Perry 393. You can also find the saying in Erasmus's Adagia: "Aethiopem dealbas."
Emblem 59: IMPOSSIBILE
Abluis Aethiopem · quid frustra? Ah desine: noctis
Illustrare nigrae || nemo potest tenebras.
Prose paraphrase:
Quid frustra
Aethiopem abluis?
Ah desine:
nemo potest
noctis nigrae tenebras illustrare.
Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1621 edition of the emblems:
Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:
Abluis Aethiopem quid frustra? Ah desine: noctis
abluo wash away/off/out, blot out, purify, wash, cleanse; dispel; quench
Aethiops Ethiopian, of/connected with Ethiopia/Sudan/central Africa
quid why
frustra in vain; for nothing, to no purpose
ah exclamation expressing surprise/irony
desino stop/end/finish, abandon/leave/break off, desist/cease; come to/at end/close
nox night
Illustrare nigrae || nemo potest tenebras.
illustro illuminate, light up; give glory; embellish; make clear, elucidate; enlighten
niger black, dark; unlucky
nemo no one, nobody
possum be able, can
tenebra darkness, obscurity; night; dark corner; ignorance; concealment; gloom
Other Versions: For other versions of the story of "washing the Aethiopian," see Perry 393. You can also find the saying in Erasmus's Adagia: "Aethiopem dealbas."
Emblem 59: IMPOSSIBILE
Abluis Aethiopem · quid frustra? Ah desine: noctis
Illustrare nigrae || nemo potest tenebras.
Prose paraphrase:
Quid frustra
Aethiopem abluis?
Ah desine:
nemo potest
noctis nigrae tenebras illustrare.
Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1621 edition of the emblems:
Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:
Abluis Aethiopem quid frustra? Ah desine: noctis
abluo wash away/off/out, blot out, purify, wash, cleanse; dispel; quench
Aethiops Ethiopian, of/connected with Ethiopia/Sudan/central Africa
quid why
frustra in vain; for nothing, to no purpose
ah exclamation expressing surprise/irony
desino stop/end/finish, abandon/leave/break off, desist/cease; come to/at end/close
nox night
Illustrare nigrae || nemo potest tenebras.
illustro illuminate, light up; give glory; embellish; make clear, elucidate; enlighten
niger black, dark; unlucky
nemo no one, nobody
possum be able, can
tenebra darkness, obscurity; night; dark corner; ignorance; concealment; gloom
Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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