Aldhelm Riddle 77: Ficulnea
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Thu 14 Apr 2022Quis prior in mundo deprompsit tegmina vestis
Aut quis clementer miserum protexit egenum?
Irrita non referam verbis nec frivola fingam.
Primitus in terra proprio de corpore peplum,
Ut fama fertur, produxi frondibus altis;
Carica me curvat, dum massis pabula praestat,
Sedulus agricola brumae quas tempore mandit.
Who in the world was quicker to produce the coverings of garment
Or who more gently covered the miserable needy?
I do not report nullities nor do I fashion trifles with my words.
First on earth a robe from my own body,
As the story goes, I produced with high foliage;
The fig bends me, while it offers food in masses,
Which the attentive farmer eats in wintertime.
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.
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