Aldhelm Riddle 83: Iuvencus
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Thu 14 Apr 2022Original text:
Arida spumosis dissolvens faucibus ora
Bis binis bibulus potum de fontibus hausi.
Vivens nam terrae glebas cum stirpibus imis
Nisu virtutis validae disrumpo feraces;
At vero linquit dum spiritus algida membra,
Nexibus horrendis homines constringere possum.
Translation:
Opening my dry mouth with foaming jaws,
Thirsty, I drank up liquid from twice-two fountains.
For, living, I break the fertile clods of earth with deep roots
Through the labour of my strength;
But indeed when breath leaves my cold limbs,
I am able to bind men with horrendous fetters.
Young Bull
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