Aldhelm Riddle 37: Cancer
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Original text:
Nepa mihi nomen veteres dixere Latini:
Humida spumiferi spatior per litora ponti;
Passibus oceanum retrograda transeo versis:
Et tamen aethereus per me decoratur Olimpus,
Dum ruber in caelo bisseno sidere scando;
Ostrea quem metuit duris perterrita saxis.
Translation:
The ancient Latins used to call me “nepa”:
I move along the damp shores of the foamy sea;
I cross the ocean backwards, with turned steps;
And yet ethereal heaven is decorated with me
When I, red, climb into the sky with twice-six stars;
The oyster, frightened by hard stones, fears me.
Crab
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