Aldhelm Riddle 91: Palma
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Thu 14 Apr 2022Omnipotens auctor, nutu qui cuncta creavit,
Mi dedit in mundo tam "victrix" nomen habendum.
Nomine nempe meo florescit gloria regum,
Martiribus necnon, dum vincunt proelia mundi,
Edita caelestis prensant et praemia vitae;
Frondigeris tegitur bellantum turma coronis
Et viridi ramo victor certamine miles.
In summo capitis densescit vertice vellus,
Ex quo multiplicis torquentur tegmina pepli;
Sic quoque mellifluis escarum pasco saginis
Nectare per populos tribuens alimenta ciborum.
The omnipotent author, who created all things by his will,
Gave me the name "victorious" to have in the world.
Of course the glory of the kings flourishes in my name,
And also for the martyrs, who, when they win the world’s battles,
Take hold of the elevated rewards of celestial life;
The crowd of warriors is covered with leafy crowns
And the soldier, the victor in the contest, with a green branch.
At the top point of my head grows foliage,
From which the coverings of different fabrics are woven;
So too I sustain with the honeyed nourishment of food,
Bestowing items of food among the people with my nectar.
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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