Aldhelm Riddle 86: Aries
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Thu 14 Apr 2022Sum namque armatus rugosis cornibus horrens,
Herbas arvorum buccis decerpo virentes,
Et tamen astrifero procedens agmine stipor,
Culmina caelorum quae scandunt celsa catervis.
Turritas urbes capitis certamine quasso
Oppida murorum prosternens arcibus altis.
Induo mortales retorto stamine pepli;
Littera quindecima praestat, quod pars domus adsto.
For I am dreadful, armed with rough horns,
I gather the fields’ green grasses with my mouth,
And yet, advancing, I am crowded by starry company,
Which ascend the lofty heights of the heavens in groups.
I crush turreted cities with my head’s combat,
Overthrowing the towns of walls with their high strongholds.
I clothe mortals with fabric’s twisted thread;
If the fifteenth letter stands in front, I stand as part of a house.
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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