Aldhelm Riddle 46: Urtica
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Original text:
Torqueo torquentes, sed nullum torqueo sponte
Laedere nec quemquam volo, ni prius ipse reatum
Contrahat et viridem studeat decerpere caulem.
Fervida mox hominis turgescunt membra nocentis:
Vindico sic noxam stimulisque ulciscor acutis.
Translation:
I torture my torturers, but I torture no one happily,
Nor do I wish to hurt anyone, unless he commit offence
First and desire to pluck my green stem.
The limbs of the harm-doing man immediately grow hot and swollen:
Thus I avenge my injury and take revenge with my sharp stings.
Nettle
Notes:
This edition is based on Rudolf Ehwald, ed. Aldhelmi Opera Omnia. Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Auctores Antiquissimi, 15. Berlin: Weidmann, 1919, pages 59-150. Available online here.
Tags: riddles latin Aldhelm