Aldhelm Riddle 28: Minotaurus
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Original text:
Sum mihi dissimilis vultu membrisque biformis:
Cornibus armatus, horrendum cetera fingunt
Membra virum; fama clarus per Gnossia rura
Spurius incerto Greta genitore creatus
Ex hominis pecudisque simul cognomine dicor.
Translation:
I am hybrid, different in my face and limbs:
I am armed with horns, my other limbs form
A horrible man; known by report through Knossian fields,
Born illegitimate with an unknown father in Crete,
I am said in name to be of man and beast at the same time.
Minotaur
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