Aldhelm Riddle 38: Tippula
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Pergo super latices plantis suffulta quaternis
Nec tamen in limphas vereor quod mergar aquosas,
Sed pariter terras et flumina calco pedestris;
Nec natura sinit celerem natare per amnem,
Pontibus aut ratibus fluvios transire feroces;
Quin potius pedibus gradior super aequora siccis.
I proceed on waters propped up on my four feet,
And yet I do not fear being drowned in the watery lakes,
But I go on foot equally on land and stream.
Nature does not permit me to swim through the fast flow
Nor to cross fierce rivers on bridges or boats;
Rather, I step with dry feet over the water.
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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