Aldhelm Riddle 54: Cocuma duplex
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Credere quis poterit tantis spectaeula causis
Temperet et fatis rerum contraria fata?
Ecce larem, laticem quoque gesto in viscere ventris,
Nec tamen undantes vincunt incendia limphae
Ignibus aut atris siccantur flumina fontis,
Foedera sed pacis sunt flammas inter et undas;
Malleus in primo memet formabat et incus.
Who could believe the spectacle of such affairs
And who could govern fates that are contrary to things’ fates?
Behold: I carry fire and also water inside my belly,
And yet the surging waters do not conquer the fires
Nor are the water’s streams dried out by the dark flames.
Instead there are peace pacts between the flames and waves;
A hammer and anvil formed me to begin with.
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