Aldhelm Riddle 76: Melarius
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Thu 14 Apr 2022Fausta fuit primo mundi nascentis origo,
Donec prostratus succumberet arte maligni;
Ex me tunc priscae processit causa ruinae,
Dulcia quae rudibus tradebam mala colonis.
En iterum mundo testor remeasse salutem,
Stipite de patulo dum penderet arbiter orbis
Et poenas lueret soboles veneranda Tonantis.
The beginning of the young world was happy at first,
Until the overthrown one succumbed to the deceit of the evil one;
The cause of the ancient ruin then came from me,
Who was giving out sweet apples to the uncultivated inhabitants.
Behold: I attest that well-being returned to the world again,
When the judge of the world was suspended from a stretched-out tree
And the venerable son of the Thundering God atoned for sins.
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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