Aldhelm Riddle 85: Caecus natus
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Thu 14 Apr 2022Iam referam verbis tibi, quod vix credere possis,
Cum constet verum fallant nec frivola mentem.
Nam dudum dederam soboli munuscula grata,
Tradere quae numquam poterat mihi quislibet alter,
Dum Deus ex alto fraudaret munere claro,
In quo cunctorum gaudent praecordia dono.
Now I shall relate in words to you what you will hardly be able believe,
Though it is the truth and not follies that cheat the mind.
For once I gave welcome little gifts to my son,
Which no one else was ever able to give me,
Because God from on high deprived me of the bright gift,
The gift in which the hearts of all are glad.
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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