Aldhelm Riddle 39: Leo
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Setiger in silvis armatos dentibus apros
Cornigerosque simul cervos licet ore rudentes
Contero nec parcens ursorum quasso lacertos;
Ora cruenta ferens morsus rictusque luporum
Horridus haud vereor regali culmine fretus;
Dormio nam patulis, non claudens lumina, gemmis.
Shaggy, I crush boars armed with teeth in the woods
And at the same time antlered stags, although they roar with their mouth,
And sparing nothing, I quash bears’ arms;
Bearing my bloody mouth, wolves’ bite and maw,
I, frightening and supported by royal eminence, do not fear at all;
For I sleep with my eyes wide open, not closing them.
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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