Symphosius Riddle 76: Silex

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Sat 10 Sep 2022
Original text:

Semper inest intus, sed raro cernitur ignis;
Intus enim latitat, sed solos prodit ad ictus;
Nec lignis ut vivat eget, nec ut occidat undis.

Translation:

Fire is always in me, though it is rarely seen;
For it lurks inside, but appears upon blows alone;
It does not need wood to live or water to die.

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Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.



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