Aldhelm Riddle 5: Iris
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Thu 10 Mar 2022Original text:
Taumantis proles priscorum famine fingor,
Ast ego prima mei generis rudimenta retexam:
Sole ruber genitus sum partu nubis aquosae;
Lustro polos passim solos, non scando per austros.
Translation:
I am thought of as the offspring of Thaumas in the writings of the ancients,
But I shall recount the first beginnings of my origin:
Red, I was born from the sun through a watery cloud’s production;
I illuminate empty skies everywhere; I do not climb through the winds.
Rainbow
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