Aldhelm Riddle 30: Elementum
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Nos decem et septem genitae sine voce sorores
Sex alias nothas non dicimus annumerandas.
Nascimur ex ferro rursus ferro moribundae
Necnon et volucris penna volitantis ad aethram;
Terni nos fratres incerta matre crearunt.
Qui cupit instanter sitiens audire docentes,
Tum cito prompta damus rogitanti verba silenter.
We, ten and seven sisters, born without a voice,
Say that the six other illegitimates are not to be included.
We are born of iron, will also die by iron,
Or indeed by the feather of a bird flying through the sky.
Three brothers created us from an unknown mother.
Whoever in their thirst earnestly wishes to hear our teachings,
We quickly, silently give prepared words, then, to the one asking.
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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