Aldhelm Riddle 31: Ciconia
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Candida forma nitens necnon et furva nigrescens
Est mihi, dum varia componor imagine pennae;
Voce carens tremula nam faxo crepacula rostro.
Quamvis squamigeros discerpam dira colobros,
Non mea letiferis turgescunt membra venenis;
Sic teneres pullos prolemque nutrire suesco
Carne venenata tetroque cruore draconum.
I have a shining white appearance and also one that
Dims to dark, since I am composed of the feather’s varied image;
I lack a quavering voice, for I will make rattles with my beak.
Although I, dreadful, will mangle scaly snakes,
My limbs will not swell with fatal venom;
Thus am I used to feeding young chickens and offspring
With the poisoned flesh and the foul blood of snakes.
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