Aldhelm Riddle 44: Ignis
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Tue 15 Mar 2022Me pater et mater gelido genuere rigore,
Fomitibus siccis dum mox rudimenta vigebant;
Quorum vi propria fortunam vincere possum,
Cum nil ni latiees mea possint vincere fata.
Sed saltus, scopulos, stagni ferrique metalla
Comminuens penitus naturae iura resolvam.
Cum me vita fovet, sum clari sideris instar;
Postmodum et fato victus pice nigrior exsto.
Father and mother bore me from frozen hardness,
While my early stages were quickly thriving in dry kindling.
Through my own strength I am able to prevail over their fate,
Because nothing except water is able to prevail over my fate.
Completely crushing forests, cliffs, the metals tin and iron,
I will unbind the laws of nature.
When life embraces me, I am like a bright star;
And afterwards, conquered by fate, I am blacker than tar.
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