The Riddles of Aldhelm: Text and Verse Translation

Description

Text and Verse Translation with Notes by James Hall Pitman. The text of this edition is from 'Aldhelmi Opera' ('Monumenta Germaniae Historica: Auctorum Antiquissimorum Tomus XV'), edited by Dr. Rudolf Ehwald, by whose permission it is here reproduced. I have made no changes but the omission of the 'apparatus criticus', and the substitution of 'æ' and 'œ' for 'ae' and 'oe', and of 'u' for the vocalic 'v' except in the acrostic and telestich of the 'Præfatio'. To Professor Albert Stanburrough Cook I am deeply grateful for his interest and encouragement during the preparation of the translation, as well as for his painstaking assistance in many matters of detail. My thanks are also due to Miami University, which has defrayed the expense of publication. Introduction i The Riddles of Aldhelm Præfatio (Prologue) 2-3 1. Terra (Earth) 4-5 2. Ventus (Wind) 4-5 3. Nubes (Cloud) 6-7 4. Natura (Nature) 6-7 5. Iris (Rainbow) 6-7 6. Luna (Moon) 6-7 7. Fatum (Fate) 6-7 8. Pliades (Pleiades) 8-9 9. Adamas (Diamond) 8-9 10. Molosus (Dog)8-9 11. Poalum (Bellows) 8-9 12. Bombix (Silkworm) 8-9 13. Barbita (Organ) 10-11 14. Pavo (Peacock) 10-11 15. Salamandra (Salamander) 10-11 16. Luligo (Flying-fish) 10-11 17. Perna (Purple-mussel) 10-11 18. Myrmicoleon (Ant-lion) 12-13 19. Salis (Salt) 12-13 20. Apis (Bee) 12-13 21. Lima (File) 12-13 22. Acalantida (Nightingale) 12-13 23. Trutina (Balance) 14-15 24. Dracontia (Dragon-stone) 14-15 25. Magnes Ferrifer (Magnet) 14-15 26. Gallus (Cock) 14-15 27. Coticula (Whetstone) 14-15 28. Minotaurus (Minotaur) 16-17 29. Aqua (Water) 16-17 30. Elementum (Alphabet) 16-17 31. Ciconia (Stork) 16-17 32. Pugillares (Writing-tablets) 18-19 33. Lorica (Cuirass) 18-19 34. Locusta (Locust) 18-19 35. Nycticorax (Night-raven) 20-21 36. Scnifes (Gadfly) 20-21 37. Cancer (Crab) 20-21 38. Tippula (Water-spider) 20-21 39. Leo (Lion) 22-23 40. Piper (Pepper) 22-23 41. Pulvillus (Pillow) 22-23 42. Strutio (Ostrich) 22-23 43. Sanguisuga (Leech) 24-25 44. Ignis (Fire) 24-25 45. Fusum (Spindle) 24-25 46. Urtica (Nettle) 24-25 47. Hirundo (Swallow) 26-27 48. Vertico Poli (Sphere of the Heavens) 26-27 49. Lebes (Cauldron) 26-27 50. Myrifyllon (Milfoil) 28-29 51. Eliotropus (Heliotrope) 28-29 52. Candela (Candle) 28-29 53. Arcturus (Great Bear) 28-29 54. Cocuma Duplex (Double Cooking-vessel) 30-31 55. Crismal (Ciborium) 30-31 56. Castor (Beaver) 30-31 57. Aquila (Eagle) 32-33 58. Vesper Sidus (Evening Star) 32-33 59. Penna (Pen) 32-33 60. Monocerus (Unicorn) 34-35 61. Pugio (Dagger) 34-35 62. Famfaluca (Bubble) 34-35 63. Corbus (Raven) 36-37 64. Columba (Dove) 36-37 65. Muriceps (Cat) 36-37 66. Mola (Mill) 38-39 67. Cribellus (Sieve) 38-39 68. Salpix (Trumpet) 38-39 69. Taxus (Yew-tree) 40-41 70. Tortella (Bannock) 40-41 71. Piscis (Fish) 40-41 72. Colosus (Colossus) 42-43 73. Fons (Spring of Water) 42-43 74. Fundibalum (Sling) 42-43 75. Crabro (Hornet) 44-45 76. Melarius (Apple-tree) 44-45 77. Ficulnea (Fig-tree) 44-45 78. Cupa Vinaria (Wine-cask) 46-47 79. Sol et Luna (Sun and Moon) 46-47 80. Calix Vitreus (Glass Cup) 46-47 81. Lucifer (Lucifer) 48-49 82. Mustela (Weasel) 48-49 83. Iuvencus (Steer) 50-51 84. Scrofa Prægnans (Pregnant Sow) 50-51 85. Cæcus Natus (Man Blind from Birth) 50-51 86. Aries (Ram) 50-51 87. Clipeus (Shield) 52-53 88. Basiliscus (Serpent) 52-53 89. Arca Libraria (Bookcase) 52-53 90. Puerpera Geminas Enixa (Woman in Labor with Twins)52-53 91. Palma (Palm) 54-55 92. Farus Editissima (Tall Lighthouse) 54-55 93. Scintilla (Spark) 54-55 94. Ebulus (Dwarf Elder) 56-57 95. Scilla (Scylla) 56-57 96. Elephans (Elephant) 58-59 97. Nox (Night) 58-59 98. Elleborus (Hellebore) 60-61 99. Camellus (Camel) 60-61 100. Creatura (Nature) 60-61 Notes 68