Aldhelm Riddle 61: Pugio
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Thu 14 Apr 2022De terrae gremiis formabar primitus arte;
Materia trucibus processit cetera tauris
Aut potius putidis constat fabricata capellis.
Per me multorum clauduntur lumina leto,
Qui domini nudus nitor defendere vitam.
Nam domus est constructa mihi de tergore secto
Necnon et tabulis, quas findunt stipite, rasis.
I was first formed with skill from the earth’s bosom;
The other material came from savage bulls
Or perhaps stands constructed from disgusting goats.
The eyes of many are closed in death through me,
Who, naked, endeavours to defend the life of my lord.
For my house is constructed from parcelled-out skin
As well as scraped wood, which they cut from a tree trunk.
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