Symphosius Riddle 96: Verba
ALEXANDRAREIDER
Date: Sat 10 Sep 2022There is no actual Riddle 96 attributed to Symphosius: there is a gap in the manuscripts, but this riddle has been inserted into four of the manuscripts, so it kind of counts! The most recent editor of these riddles, T. J. Leary, notes that the poem is suspect, but 'the body of the riddle appears genuine' (p. 237).
Nunc mihi iam credas, fieri quod posse negatur.
Octo tenes manibus, sed me monstrante magistro
Sublatis septem reliqui tibi sex remanebunt.
Right now you should believe me that what is said to be impossible happens.
You hold eight in your hands, but with me showing you as teacher,
With seven taken away, six remaining will be left to you.
Notes:
This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.
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