Corolla Camenae: An Anthology of Latin Verse in Quantitative and Accentual Metres

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COROLLA CAMENAE

COROLLA CAMENUE

COROLLA CAMENZE An Anthology of Latin

Verse in Quantitative and Accentual Metres Edited by HERBERT

H. HUXLEY

Professor of Classics in the University of

Victoria, British Columbia

UNIVERSITY

OF

1969

VICTORIA

Copyright

©

University of Victoria

1969

Designed and printed at Victoria, B.C.

by MORRISS

PRINTING

COMPANY

LTD.

T'o the memory of

TERROT

REAVELEY

GLOVER

(1869-1943)

this little book 1s gratefully dedicated

Preface

In 1963 I edited and published caRMINA: McMzLxi, an anthology of Latin verses composed in metres infrequently attempted. In this venture twenty-six scholars took part, among them not a few whose names are known wherever Greek and Latin are read. The little book received a kinder welcome than its editor had dared to hope, and there were numcrous suggestions that a second selection would not be amiss. Thanks to the encouragement of a friend, Professor Robin Skelton, who is both poet and critic, and to the generosity of the University of Victoria, a volume which must be caviare to the general is offered to Latinate readers. It is probably the first anthology of its kind ever to have issued from a Canadian press. I am extremely fortunate in being able once again to harness the talents of gifted contributors to Some Oxford Compositions (1949) and More Oxford Compositions (1964). Most, if not all, of the fourteen composers here represented have published Latin

poems

elsewhere,

in

addition

to

their

more

orthodox

scholarly activities, COROLLA CAMENAE differs in two ways from its predecessor; for it admits elegiac couplets and hexameters (the latter in epic, pastoral and didactic forms), and has lifted the ban on accentual, rhyming verse. The inclusion of the latter may alarm some conservative Latinists; their alarm would be more understandable

if the ‘medieval verses’ were composed by those who could not write in the sterner quantitative discipline. Latin remains an excellent medium for the communication of ideas. The virtues and shortcomings of Latin poems are recognized in many countries. My own attempts over the last two decades have been read with varying measures of praise or blame by many scholars outside Great Britain. Of these I mention here

only a few, omitting their ranks and titles — from France Edouard Aubanel, Suzanne Bails, Auguste Haury; from Germany Caelestis Eichenseer and Karl Weitzel; from Italy Antonio Garzya,

Raffaello Paone, Amleto

Tondini,

Giulio Vallese; from

Holland Harry Pleket and the late Petrus Enk; from Belgium Joseph IJsewijn; from Portugal Rebelo Gongalves; from Ceylon L. W. deSilva; from Canada Harold Guite; from the U.S.A. Goodwin Beach, Paul Callens, Harry Caplan, Konrad Gries, M. F. Marique, John Richards and Harry Schnur. My debt to four Fellows of St. John's College, Cambridge, no longer with us — Martin Charlesworth, Robert Getty, T. R. Glover and E. E. Sikes — is incalculable. Getty and Glover spent some of their happiest years teaching in Canadian universities. April 1969 Victoria, B.C.

H.H.H.

Contents

12

16

18

Christmas Eve, 1943 by J. M. Thompson; translated by J. T. Christie, Esq., formerly Principal of Jesus College, Oxford. I sing of a maiden ( Anon.) ; translated by Dr. A. S. F. Gow, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. The Life and Death of Jason by William Morris; translated by A. G. Lee, Esq., Fellow of St. John's College,

20

22 24 26

Cambridge. A Bottle and a Friend by Robert Burns; translated by H. H. Huxley, Esq., Professor University of Victoria. May the ambitious ever find ( Anon.) ; translated by J. T. Christie. Good precepts, or counsell by Robert Herrick; translated by A. G. Lee. The Ruines of Time by Edmund Spenser;

of Classics,

translated by Dr. O. A. W. Dilke, Professor of Latin, Uni-

28

30 32

34 36 38

versity of Leeds. The Book of Job, xiv, 7-12; translated by B. W. M. Young, Esq., Director of The Nuffield Foundation, formerly Headmaster of Charterhouse. Well I remember how you smiled by W. S. Landor; translated by H. H. Huxley. Sonnet composed upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth; translated by Dr. J. K. Newman, Visiting Lecturer in the Classics at Illinois State University (1969-1970). She comes with Spring by V. C. Le Fanu; translated by J. T. Christie. I once was a pet by V. C. Le Fanu; translated by J. T. Christie. Epitaph for Charles II by John Wilmot; translated by Dr. L. A. Moritz, Professor of Latin, University College, Cardiff.

40 42

44 46 48

Epitaph on a Wag in Mauchline by Robert Burns; translated by H. H. Huxley. On the death of Dr. Swift by Jonathan Swift; translated by J. R. C. Richards, Esq., Senior Classical Master, The Priory School, Shrewsbury, Salop. Here lies the mother of children seven ( Anon.) ; translated by L. A. Moritz. On his deathbed poor Lubin lies by Matthew Prior; translated by H. H. Huxley. Farewell to Barset by Anthony Trollope; translated by F. R. Dale, Esq., formerly Head Master, City of London School, London.

50

Ever-injured Miss Pecksniff by Charles Dickens; translated by J. B. Poynton, Esq., formerly Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and Classical Master at Winchester

54

59 60 61

65 66 67 69 70 71 71

College. The dog, considered a sagacious beast by Sir Alan Herbert; translated by T. F. Higham, Esq., Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford. And I on my bed alone by Sappho; translated by H. H. Huxley. Lament for Bion ( Anon.) ; translated by A. G. Lee. Chorus of Bacchanals by Euripides; translated by D. M. MacDowell; Senior Lecturer in Greek and Latin, University of Manchester. Paene Puella Puer by H. H. Huxley. Punch — 120th Birthday by F. J. Leliévre, Esq., Professor of Classics, Magee University College, Northern Ireland. Persephone by H. H. Huxley. Index of Authors Translated Metrical Index Notes

Acknowledgements

COROLLA CAMENAZE

Christmas Eve, 1943

Upon this night of mirth We celebrate the birth Of a Jew child two thousand years ago; This pretty Christmas tree Became a Calvary On which men hanged a friend they did not know; And still in many a land His family are banned Because my people love to have it so. The shepherds are asleep And leave their silly sheep To be devoured by the Gestapo; The Wise Men from afar Have followed David's star To make of it a badge of shame and woe; The babe in bitter pain By wicked men is slain — The righteous slay him with a look or mor.

I2

Christmas Eve, 1943

Nocte festa venimus rite celebratum

bis decem post saecula, Puerum

Hebraica

virgine prognatum. Arbor haec bellissima dira crux fiebat, ubi Amicus hominum, qui foret immemorum,

patiens pendebat; Cuius adhuc soboles undique exsecratur, populo quod ita res meo comprobatur". Pigri ministcrium negligunt pastores; gregem innocentium mactant delatores;

Stella quae itineris fuit dux Magorum, nota nunc dedecoris, causa nunc dolorum.

Trucidatur parvulus a religiosis, voltu contemnentibus voce vel iocosis.

13

O JESU PARVULE, My heart is sore for thee That thus thy worshippers their homage show: Nay! when we sing Noels And ring the Christmas bells Let Jew kiss Gentile ^neath the mistletoe.

J. M. THOMPSON

14

Istis heu suppliciis mea cruciantur

corda, Iesu parvule; siccine cultores Te tui venerantur?

Immo dum psalteriis iubilamus Deo, osculum benignus det — ecce viscum imminet —

Ethnicus Hebraeo. J. T. CHRISTIE

15

I sing of a maiden

I sing of a maiden T hat is makeles,

King of all kinges T'o her sone sche ches. He

cam also stille There his moder was,

As dew in Aprille T hat falleth on the grass. He

cam also stille T'o his moderes bour,

As dew in Aprille That falleth on the flour. He

cam also stille T here his moder lay,

As dew in Aprile

T hat falleth on the spray. Moder and maiden Was never non but sche;

Well may swich a lady Godes moder be. ANON.

16

I sing of a maiden

Virginem teneram cano qua non altera pulchrior quae regum legit omnium filium sibi regem. ille ros veluti rigans verno tempore caespitem matris ad gremium insciae dulce subvenit infans. ille ros teneros velut

flores vere novo petens matris ad thalamum venit

filius pede lento. ille ros veluti cadens ramulos rigat arborum matris in gremium suae parvulus subit infans. quod non contigit alteri virgo et mater eras simul: tu dei genetrix deo non indigna clueris. A. S. F. GOW

17

The life and death of jason

But silent sat the heroes by the oar, Hearkening the sounds borne from the lessening shore; The lowing of the doomed and flower-crowned beasts, T'he plaintive singing of the ancient priests, Mingled with blare of trumpets, and the sound Of all the many folk that stood around The altar and the temple by the sea. So sat they pondering much and silently, Till all the landward noises died away, And, midmost now of the green sunny bay, They heard no sound but washing of the seas And piping of the following western breeze. WILLIAM

18

MORRIS

The life and death of Jason

Considunt taciti transtris. minor usque recedit terra, sonusque minor de litore fertur ad aures. nam redimita caput sertis casura remugit victima et antistes mixto clangore tubarum grandaevus maestum modulatur carmen et ingens ad mare turba hominum templa atque altaria circum ore fremit vario. at sub pectore plurima volvens Graia sedet pubes donec tellure remota sensim omnis refugit clamor. vada caerula verrunt iamque sinus medios nitido sub sole tenebant nec vox auditur nisi pontus lene susurrans sibilaque Zephyri per stuppea vincla secundi. GUY

19

LEE

A bottle and a friend

HERE’s a bottle and an honest friend! What wad ye wish for mair, man? Wha kens, before his life may end, What his share may be o? care, man? Then catch the moments as they fly, And use them as ye ought, man: Believe me, happiness is shy, And comes not aye when sought, man. ROBERT

20

BURNS

A bottle and a friend

Simplex hic comes, hic cadus:

nobis quid melius di tribuunt boni? quis scit quot lateant mala, quot curae, ante diem funeris ultimum? horas, quae fugiunt, manu

grata sume; decet flore rosae frui. vere Laetitia est pudens, nec semper, cupide cum petimus, venit. HERBERT

2I

H. HUXLEY

May the ambitious ever find

May the ambitious ever find Reward in crowds and noise, Whilst gentle love does fill my mind With silent real joys. May fools and knaves grow rich and great, And the world think ’em wise,

Whilst I lie dying at her feet, And all that world despise. Let conquering kings new trophies raise, And melt in court delights: Her eyes shall give me brighter days, Her arms much softer nights. ANON

22

May the ambitious ever find

Sit merces cupidis laudis et imperi rauco turba frequens ore frementium; mulcet deliciis me tacitis Venus,

veri nuntia gaudii. auge divitias, stulte; potentiam nactus cresce, vafer, scitus ut audias.

sordent ista mihi praemia, dum Lyces languens ad genua occido. i, rex, victor, ova, clarus adorea;

aulae mollitie difflue. clarior lux ridente Lyce; mollior est mihi nox amplexibus in Lyces. J. T. CHRISTIE

23

Good precepts, or counsell

In all thy need, be thou possest Still with a well-prepared brest: Nor let the shackles make thee sad; Thou canst but have, what others had.

And this for comfort thou must know, Times that are ill wont still be so. Clouds will not ever powre down raine; A sullen day will cleere againe. First, peales of Thunder we must heare,

T hen Lutes and Harpes shall stroke the eare. ROBERT

24

HERRICK

Good precepts, or counsell

Rebus in adversis bona tu praccepta memento: compositum circa robora pectus habe. neu doleas si forte manus religabere vinclis; nil nisi quod multi saepe tulere feres. hoc solamen eritluctus: sint tempora dura, at non durabunt sic sine fine tibi. non semper manant in agros de nubibus imbres; tristis adhuc fiet postmodo laeta dies. quas aures hodie repetita tonitrua tundunt, leniet has olim tibia mixta lyra. GUY

25

LEE

T he ruines of time

Prouide therefore (ye Princes) whilst ye hue, That of the MUSES ye may friended bee, Which unto men eternitie do giue; For they be daughters of Dame Memorie, And 10uE the father of eternitie, And do those men in golden thrones repose, Whose merits they to glorifie do chose. T he seuen fold yron gates of grislte Hell, And horrid house of sad PROSERPINA, They able are with power of mightie spell To breake, and thence the soules to bring awate Out of dread darkenesse, to eternall day, And them immortall make, which els would die

In foule forgetfulnesse, and nameles lie. EDMUND

26

SPENSER

The ruins of time

Vos,igitur, reges, moneo, curate per aevum ut faveant vobis Musae, quae (credite vati) immortale decus miseris mortalibus addunt. quippe hae Mnemosynes natae magnique Tonantis, qui superos sine fine regit. quos laude perenni inlustrare volunt, soliis auroque reponunt. hae quoque Tartareas sedes, septemplice ferro compactas portas, atrocia limina Ditis Persephonesque domos horrendas frangere possunt (carmine namque valent magico), manesque tenebris tristibus eductos ad lumen tollere solis aeternumque diem. sic immortalia reddunt quae pereant aliter iaceantque ignobile vulgus, horrida dum flumen confert oblivia Lethes. OSWALD

27

A. W.

DILKE

The Book of job, xiv, 7-12

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: So man lieth down, and riseth not:

be no more, they shall not awake, out of their sleep.

26

till the heavens

| nor be raised

The Book of Job, xiv, 7-12

S1 cadit in silvis arbor percussa securi, talem iterum sperare licet posse inde regigni nec tener ille umquam penitus desistit oriri qui fuerat ramus. licet aevo victa senescat in terra radix atque in sua corpora rursum dissoluatur humi truncus, tamen umor aquai efficit ut ramos exinde virescere cernas

vique nova vitac florentia germina trudi. tabe sed acterna mors nos consumit homullos: et cum quisque animam moribundo corpore fundit disicitur nec quo discedat dicere possis. non alia ratione ex aequore deficit umor et siccantur aquae vasto de gurgite ponti. sic sopitus homost nec quisquam expergitus exstat: dum miscebuntur rerum caelique ruinae,

haudquaquam exsurgens somno revocabitur ullus. B. W.

29

M. YOUNG

Well I remember how you smiled

Well I remember how you smiled To see me write your name upon The soft sea-sand . . *O! what a child! You think yowre writing upon stone!” I have since written what no tide Shall ever wash away, | what men Unborn shall read o'er ocean wide And find Ianthe’s name again. WALTER

30

SAVAGE

LANDOR

Well I remember how you smiled

Me scripsisse tuum vidisti nomen harena — nam memini — aequorea. "res quam vana! putas," cum risu es fata, "perenni scribere te lapide !? carmina quae feci non invidus eluet aestus; illaque posteritas noverit, atque tuum leget undique nomen, Ianthe,

qua fluit Oceanus. HERBERT

341

H.

HUXLEY

Sonnet composed upon Westminster Bridge September 3, 1802 Earth has not anything to show more fair: Dull would he be of soul who could pass by A sight so touching in its majesty: This City now doth,

like a garment,

wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare, Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie Open unto the fields, and to the sky; All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. Never did sun more beautifully steep In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill; Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! The river glideth at his own sweet will: Dear God! the very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still! WILLIAM

32

WORDSWORTH

Sonnet composed upon Westminster Dridge

September 9, 1802 Nil hoc terra potest ostendere pulchrius videndum: nechaec,

hebenti corde ni labores,

cognita maiestas rerum tibi praeterire donet: en vestit urbem ceu stola novati lux orienssolis purissima: pace aperta dormit carina, turris, cum tholo theatrum

fanaque, dum cingit muros ager imminetque caelum, fulgent nitore cuncta nec per auras fumus adest umbrans: numquam magis imbuit decore primos inaurans Phoebus ante currus vallem, velrupes, velculmina, nec magis tuenti visum quies aut pectus occupavit, ut placuit,

flumen delabitur innocente cursu:

domus et ipsae iam mihi videntur (percaputhociuro) requiescere, pax et illud urbis permisit ingens alta cor sopori. J. K. NEWMAN

33

She comes with Spring

She comes with Spring; the Earth is gay, Glad with the sight and scent of flowers. And swiftly through the lengthening day Come garlanded the happy Hours. She comes before the birds; not yet The swallow sweeps, the cuckoo calls,

Though high in every thicket set Blackbird and thrush sing madrigals. O wanderers from far away, That seek again your northern home, Come you as slowly as you may, What matters it? For she has come. V. C. LE

34

FANU

She comes with Spring

Cum vere venies; terra tum gaudens novis fragrat, renidet floribus; tum laeta sertis remeat Horarum manus dum lux moratur longior. prius redibis quam cuculi carmina Procnesque pennae praepetis; sed iam rubetis insidens turdus canit, dulce oblocutus turturi. aves ab Austro, turba migrantum procul sedes ad Arctoas redux, tardae licet cunctentur; haud curae mihi est; dilecta, venisti domum.

J. T. CHRISTIE

35

I once was a pet

I once was a pet

And am now but a guest; I can never forget T hat I once was a pet. It was pleasant, and yet It may be for the best T hat I once was a pet And am now but a guest. V. C. LE

FANU

I once was a pet

Eheu, deliciae vocatus olim

nunc hospes vocor. hoc fuit beatum, hoc semper meminisse me iuvabit, olim deliciae quod audiebam. atqui non nimis, utreor, pigendum est si pro deliciis vocabor hospes. J. T. CHRISTIE

37

Epitaph for Charles II

Here lies our mutton-eating king, Whose word no man relies on;

Who never said a foolish thing, And never did a wise one. JOHN

WILMOT,

EARL

OF

ROCHESTER

Epitaph for Charles IT

Rex iacet hic, fauces qui carne refersit ovilla, qui vel teste deo nil nisi verba dabat. nil umquam est stulti, nihil ille locutus inepti:

quaerere sed noli facta — furentis erant. L. A. MORITZ

39

Epitaph on a wag in Mauchline

Lament him, Mauchline husbands a’,

He aften did assist ye; For had ye staid whole weeks awa, Your wives they ne'er had miss'd ye. Ye Mauchline bairns, as on ye pass To school in bands thegither, O tread ye lighily on his grass; Perhaps he was your father. ROBERT

40

BURNS

Epitaph on a wag in Mauchline

Illum, qui iacet hic, omnes lugete mariti Pisani: vobis saepe ferebat opem. Si mora quem vestrum tenuisset longa remotum, Illius haud tristis sponsa futura fuit. Vos, precor, o pueri, suboles Pisana, trahentes Ad ludum invitos, garrula turba, pedes, Gramineum levibus plantis calcate sepulcrum ; Namque fuit vester forsitan ille pater. HERBERT

41

H. HUXLEY

On the death of Dr. Swift

(Il. 79 - 104) Yet thus methinks I hear them speak, “See how the Dean begins to break! Poor gentleman, he droops apace. You plainly find it in his face. That old vertigo in his head Will never leave him tll he’s dead. Besides, his memory decays; He recollects not what he says. He cannot call his friends to mind; Forgets the place where last he din'd; Plies you with stories o'er and o'er; He told them fifty times before. How does he fancy we can sit To hear his out of fashion wit? But he takes up with younger folks, Who for his wine will bear his jokes. Faith, he must make his stories shorter

Or change his comrades once a quarter: In half the time he talks them round There must another set be found. For poetry he’s past his prime, He takes an hour to find a rhyme; His fire is out; his wit decayd; His fancy sunk; his muse a jade. I'd have him throw away his pen; -— But there's no talking to some men!” JONATHAN

42

SWIFT

On the death of Dr. Swift (ll. 79 - 104) Talia dicentes mihi fingo audire "senescit: debilis est,

demus talia verba, senex.

‘nonne vides solito te iam caruisse vigore? vidimus: in facie non stat ut ante rubor. nonne labas pedibus? caput et vertigine tortum est; iam vivus titubas; mox, monture, cades. immemor es rerum: retünes nil mente locatum: ipse quid edideris non meminisse potes. en dubitas: quamvis veteres non noscis amicos: quoque loco cenam ceperis, esne memor? nunc iterum atque iterum . narrar fabula debet: quaeque quater decies sensimus, | illa petis,

nos quoque adulantes semperque audire paratos ingenium prisci moris amare putas? at senior iuvenes invitas nempe coactos, Massica si capiant grandia, ferre iocos. heu brevior debet narrari fabula: | semper, nifacias, socios experiare novos. nondum dimidia narrata parte iocorum invenienda alia est, stulte, corona tibi.

carmina deficiunt: ante et consumitur hora quam potes in senos cogere verba pedes. deficit ingenium: — rapidusque exstinguitur ignis: claudae Pierides: lumina nota cadunt. quin tamen abicias calamos, neu scribere pergas?" sunt quos incasum Delius ipse monct." JOHN

43

R. C. RICHARDS

Here lies the mother of children seven

Here lies the mother of children seven, Three on earth and four in heven; T he four in heaven preferring rather To die with mother than live with father. ANON

44

Here lies the mother of children seven

Septem quae genuit pueros hic conditur uxor; tres superant, reliquos busta quieta tegunt. quos iam busta tegunt pueri cum matre perire maluerunt vivo quam patre luce frui. L. A. MORITZ

45

On his deathbed poor Lubin lies

On his deathbed poor Lubin lies: His spouse is in despair: With frequent cries and mutual sighs T hey both express their care. “A different cause,’ “The same effect Poor Lubin fears that His wife, that he

says Parson Sly, may give: he may die; may live.” MATTHEW

PRIOR

On his deathbed poor Lubin lies

Flet uxor tristis;

illius

propinquat coniunx leto: amboque lugent invicem dolore inexpleto. Fert causa dispar exitum eundem; ne moriatur;

vir horrescit mulier

ne vivat, expavescit. HERBERT

47

H. HUXLEY

Farewell to Barset

And now, if the reader will allow me to seize him affectionately by the arm, we will together take our last farewell of Barset and of the towers of Barchester. I may not venture to say to him that, in this county, he and I together have wandered often through the country lanes, and have ridden together over the too-well-wooded fields, or have stood together in the cathedral nave listening to the peals of the organ, or have sat together at good men’s tables, or have confronted together the angry pride of men who were not good. I may not boast that any beside myself have so realised the place, and the people, and the facts, as to make such reminiscences possible as those which I should attempt to evoke by an appeal to perfect fellowship. But to me Barset has been a real county, and a real city, and the spires and towers have been before my eyes, and the voices of the people are known to my ears, and the pavements of the city ways are familiar to my footsteps. T'o them all I now say farewell. ThatI have been induced to wander among them too long by my love of old friendships, and by the sweetness of old faces, is a fault for which I may perhaps be more readily forgiven, when I repeat, with some solemnity of assurance, that this shall be the last chronicle of Barset. ANTHONY

TROLLOPE

Farewell to Barset

Vitima contigimus,

tecumque valere supremum,

si modo, lector amice, licebit,

coniunctumque dabis passum, finesque Barinos iam iubeo turresque Barumnae. dicere vix ausim comites haec saepe per arva nos errasse viasque remotas, et solitos equitare ubi silvis rura latebant aut astare ubi tecta canoros reddebant templi sonitus, ambosque sedere ad mensas consuesse piorum, aut animo pariter firmo tolerasse superbam, qua quis forte minus pius, iram.

horum cuncta mihi propria et quasi viva videbam; sed satis haec — non talia iacto — vix tibi commendo, populum, loca, resve peractas, fisus amicitia, sociando.

vidi ego res veras, terramque urbemque Barinas: stant turres celsaeque columnae

ante oculos, notisque replentur vocibus aures, et pedibus sunt strata viarum nota meis.

linquo haeciam nunc,

iubeoque

valere.

hic nimium si forte vagandi tempus erat mihi, si notus dulcedine voltus me nimium vel amicitiarum vis devinctum habuit,

vitio fortasse libenter

non veniam concedere noles. nam quod ab incepto promissum, en accipe, libro: tota est res finita Barumnae. F. R. DALE

49

** Ever-in yured Miss Pecksn uff ?

Clipper Schooner, Cupid. Off Gravesend. Wednesday night. “Ever-injured Miss Pecksniff, “Ere this reaches you, the undersigned will be — if not a corpse — on the way to VanDieman’s Land. Send not in pursuit. I never will be taken alive! “The burden — 300 tons per register — forgive, if in my distraction, I allude to the ship — on my mind — has been truly dreadful. Frequently — when you have sought to soothe my brow with kisses — has selfdestruction flashed across me. Frequently — incredible as it may seem — have I abandoned the idea. “T love another. She is Another's. Everything appears to be somebody else’s. Nothing in the world is mine — not even my Situation — which I have forfeited — by my rash conduct — in running away. “Tf you ever loved me, hear my last appeal! The last appeal of a miserable and blighted exile. Forward the inclosed — it is the key of my desk — to the office — by hand. Please address to Bobbs and Cholberry — I mean to Chobbs and Bolberry — but my mind is totally unhinged. I left a penknife — with a buckhorn handle — in your work-box. It will repay the messenger. May it make him happier than ever it did me!

50

‘“Ever-injured Miss Pecksniff”’

Haec ubi verbaleges,

multum mihi laesa Fabulla,

fors ego qui scripsi vile cadaver ero; sin minus,

ad notiam iam provchar aequore Thulen:

vivum non capies; parce molesta sequi. hoc onus — in tabulis tercentum est summa metretae — da veniam trepido;

de rate

nempe loquor.

hoc onus affectans nimium grave demere menti, oscula tu labris mollia saepe dabas. a, quotiens obitae subiit tum — mortis imago! vix erit hanc totiens displicuisse fides. altera amata mihi est;

tenet hanc felicior alter:

alterius videas, quidquid ubique placet. nil remanet nostrum,

| siquidem temerarius ultro

amisi ct quaestum, qui fuit ante, fuga. at tibi si tum carus erat, quas perditus exsul fuderit extremas, | accipe mota preces: his quod inest chartis —capsae est ea clavis — ad aedes, scriba ubi versabar, fac Syrus ipse vehat. Cinna et Musca habitant — an Munna et Casca. vocantur? scilicct in tantis mens labat aegra malis. est mihi cultellus — capulus nota corncus esto — quem reor in calatho me posuisse tuo;

is puero detur, ctbect;

merces satis ampla laboris, ipse usu non ita laetus eram.

51

“Oh, Miss Pecksniff, why didn’t you leave me alone! Was it not cruel, cRUEL! Oh, my goodness, have you not been a witness of my feelings — have you not seen them flowing from my eyes — did you not, yourself, reproach me with weeping more than usual on that dreadful night when last we met — in that house — where I once was peaceful— though blighted — in the society of Mrs. Todgers! “But it was written — in the Talmud — that you should involve yourself in the inscrutable and gloomy Fate which it is my mission to accomplish, and which wreathes itself — e’en now — about my — temples. I will not reproach, for I have wronged you. May the Furniture make some amends! “Farewell! Be the proud bride of a ducal coronet, and forget me! Long may it be before you know the anguish with which I now subscribe myself — amid the tempestuous howlings of the — sailors, “Unalterably, never yours, “Augustus.” CHARLES DICKENS Martin Chuzzlewit

52

nonne fuit melius non sic instare neganti? nonne ego te duram iure, puella, voco? tu quae sentirem, tu, scit Venus,

optima testis:

signa animi lacrimae num male clara dabant? quin ubi convivas nox illa novissima iunxit,

ipsa es plus solito questa madere genas; at prius,

heu, voti licet irritus, hospes agebam

Phyllidos hac vacuos anxietate dies. sed — foresic scriptum est — nimirum in fronde Sibyllae — pars aderas fati tu quoque magna mel, quod miser ut peragam caeca ratione creatus, iam mea, iam video tempora nocte premi. iurgia nec metuas; fateorlaesisse: supellex solamen damni fallor an — esse potest? ergo oblita mei sponso meliore superbi, scu Scaurorum aliquis sive Metellus erit. ipsa angore carens, quo, dum fremor undique turbat nautarum, ascribit dextera lassa ‘vale’ — dextera Nasonis, quem — stat sententia — nunquam

dicere iam poteris — di meliora! — tuum. nave haec deducta — navis tutela Cupido — Brundisii Nonis sole cadente dabam. J. B. POYNTON

23

1 he dog, considered a sagacious beast

T'he dog, considered a sagacious beast, Does not give tongue when he has had a feast. Nor does the cow go mooing round the mead To tell the world that she’s enjoyed her feed. Not even lions, I imagine, roar

After a meal — unless they want some more. All Nature has agreed that it is best When fully fed, to ruminate and rest. The ancient Romans, flushed with food and wine, Decided it was wiser to recline. The cannibal, when he has had his fun, Does not propose the health of anyone. But Modern Man, by some malignant fate, When he has eaten, simply must orate: And those who don’t, though eager for repose, Must strain their ears for quantities of prose. If toasts and speeches have effective force Our land should be as healthy as a horse. If wishful drinking rings a magic bell Our trade, our industry, should do quite well. This quaint old custom could be understood If all the speeches were extremely good. But it is not a very easy trade And more than half of them were best not made. Oh, what a wise and comfortable thing If all the toasts were silent — like ‘The King!’ Oh, may I live to hear the Chairman say: *Friends, you are welcome at our feast today. Enjoy yourselves! Good company — good cheer! And that’s the only speech that you will hear? A. P. HERBERT

24

The dog, considered a sagacious beast

Pone canem: cane nil, constat, sollertius exstat; expleta ingluvie conticet ipse canis. nec bos mugitus, dum rura perambulat, edit,

ut doceat quam se gramina carpta iuvent. pone etiam functos epulis saturosque leones; non, nisi plus cupiunt quam datur, ore fremunt. cessat qui satur est — naturae hoc convenit omni — proque cibo placidae pabula mentis habet. mos erat Aencae vino victuque calentis in cubitum inniti: mos sapientis erat. carne hominum laetus non propinavit Ulixi sed somnum eloquio praetulit ille Cyclops. Anglis mos alius: fato superatus iniquo idem orator erit, qui bene pastus, homo. hic verba invitus faciat conviva necesse est,

auresve immodico praebeat eloquio. multa loqui si quid valeat, si vota merumque,

cornicum hic populus vincere saecla queat, fiant vi magica quae vult qui potat et optat, sint mercatori, sint rata vota fabro.

mos vetus est; neque tam (fateor) mirabilis esset omnes si poterant verba diserta loqui. at labor est cultae vires adquirere linguae, plerosque ut deceat conticuisse magis. ei mihi, commodius quanto sit parcere voci; sic, cum ‘rex, bene te!’ dicitur, ora silent.

adsim — fata sinant! — ‘salvete’ ubi dicet ‘amici’ praeses et "invitant vos bona vina bonos. securi genio nunc indulgete. licebit. nemo alius faciet, discite, verba palam. THOMAS

22

F. HIGHAM

TRANSLATIONS FROM

GREEK

And I on my bed alone Attributed to Sappho Nunc occidit alba luna Et Pleiades aquosae. Nox iam media est;

it hora;

Et sola toro quiesco. HERBERT

39

H. HUXLEY

Lament for Bion (lines 8 - 19 & 99 - 107) Sicilian Muses! now begin the doleful song Ducite, Sicelides, fletus mihi ducite, Musae.

Atthides a volucres densa sub fronde gementes fluminibus rumorem Arcthusae ferte Sicanis pastor ut ille Bion sit mortuus, ut simul illo mutuerit silvestre melos Dorisque cicuta. ducite, Sicelides, fletus mihi ducite, Musae.

Strymonii per stagna cycni resonate querelam faucibus et maestis feralem fundite cantum qualem extrema labris solet aspirare senecta. dicite virginibus Threissis, dicite cunctis Bistoniae Nymphis ‘heu Dorius occidit Orpheus.’ ducite, Sicelides, fletus mihi ducite, Musae.

ci mihi

malva levis quando defecit in hortis

atque apium viridans et flos crispantis ancthi

mox vitam reparant aliumque novantur in annum: nos tamen incassum magni fortesque catique cum semel occidimus surdi tellure sub alta perpetuae dormimus inania tempora noctis. ergo et tu taciturnus humo veleris inerti et placuit Nymphis ranam cantare per aevum? non equidem invideo;

cantant inamabile ranac. GUY

60

LEE

Chorus of Bacchanals ( Euripides, Bacchae 72-87)

Felix vir ille, qui scit superum sacrificia, famulus deum beatus, simul integer animi,

purgatione bacchans super alta iuga sacra, ritusque agens Cybebes,

tua, mater, initia,

manibusque ubique thyrsum quatiens hederigerum, foliis caput revinctus Dionysia celebrat. agite ite porro Bacchae, simul

ite, sequimini;

Bromium deum deo ortum iam vos properipedes Dionysum oportet altis Phrygiae ab columinibus Danaum in vias patentes deducere Bromium. DOUGLAS

61

M.

MACDOWELL

ORIGINAL VERSES

Paene Puella Puer

Dic mihi cur capillos, Pyrrhe, tam longos habeas ut videaris esse Non puer at puella. Dira tonsoris pavitas verba novaculumque Attoniti minacem? Si cares auro, veniam da mihi conquerenti; Quod tibi deest, crumena Plena praebebit. celeri tu pede nunc abito. Caesariem secandam Dede tonsori: nimios auferet ille crines. Tum, mihi crede, natum Laetus agnoscet genitor, Lydia laeta amantem. HERBERT

H.

HUXLEY

Punch— 120th birthday

Sexies vicesimum, bone Poncinelle, annum celebrabimus

te laudando belle. tu conviva optimus, tu flos libellorum, te facetum canimus semper at decorum. S1 quis curis nectitur, laetus fit repente, si quis riget, flectitur, te adveniente. sal et mel munificus cornu fundis pleno, nisi fallor, medicus

certior Galeno. Mollis quod est durius,

mulces quod est nolens; partitur Mercurius tecum diem volens,

sic et semper praebeas taedii levamen. Poncinelle, floreas in aeternum.

amen.

FRANK J. LELIEVRE

66

Persephone

Tempus adest vernum; | renovat Natura colores nudasque vestit arbores luxuriante coma. pulsa est acris hiemps, pulsa est vis frigoris ingens; nec impeditur aspera flumen iners glacie. nidificant volucres; agnus petit ubera matris distenta laetus; sedula suave susurrat apis. Persephonen violas et lilia pulchra legentem in foeda saevus abstulit Tartara Dis pavidam, quae fieret coniunx orbataque lumine sedem teneret inlaetabilem cum domino domina. nusquam spes aderat, sed opem Pater ipse ferebat: "cum matre menses sex ages," inquit, “et in tenebris

Tartareis totidem.

placuit sors aequa Tonantis;

maternus excidit dolor, Ditis et ira trucis. ut sequitur noctem obscuram lux alma diei,

ut verna brumalem situm gratia subsequitur, sic tenebras Mortis vitae immortalis abegit spes certa, et atri funeris deperiere minae. HERBERT

H. HUXLEY

Index of Authors Translated

Anon.

16,22,44,60

Burns, Robert

— 20, 40

Dickens, Charles Euripides

— 50

61

Herbert, Sir Alan P. Herrick, Robert Job

54 24

28

Landor, Walter Savage Le Fanu, V. C.

34,36

Morris, William

18

Prior, Matthew Sappho

30

46

59

Spenser, Edmund

26

Swift, Jonathan

42

Thompson, J.M.

12

Trollope, Anthony Wilmot, John

48

38

Wordsworth, William

32

Metrical Index

Accentual,iambic

47

Accentual, trochaic Alemanian

13, 66

49

Archilochean, first

31

Archilochean, second

67

Archilochean, fourth

33

Asclepiad, third Asclepiad, fourth

21 23

Dactylic hexameter Elegiac couplet Enoplion

19, 27, 29, 60 25, 39, 41, 43, 45, 51

59

Epode metre (iambic trimeter Galliambic

& dimeter)

61

Glyconic & pherecratean strophe

Hendecasyllables, Phalaecean Sapphic, Greater

65

79

17

37

35

Notes A Bottle and a Friend H.H.H.

in the metre

(p. 20): of Horace,

for another version composed Odes

2,

18, see Greece

&

by

Rome

(October 1966). The Book of Job, xiv, 7-12

(p. 28): the hexameters are Lucretian.

Here lies the mother of children seven

(p. 44):

maluerunt has e

short as in Ovid, Med. Fac. 12.

Ever-injured Miss Pecksniff (p. 50): for another version of part of the letter by the same composer, see CARMINA: MCMLXIII. The dog, considered a sagacious beast (p. 54) : l.4.

For diaeresis at end of the second foot cf. Ovid, Med. Fac. 12:

maluerunt quam se rura paterna coli. l. 17. valeat: ‘have effect’, as in Ovid, Am. I. 4. 67: st mea vota valent. l. 18. Cf. Ovid, Met. 7. 274: ora caputque novem cornicis saecula passae.

l. 19. The jingling words potat and optat, made up of the same five letters, are by way of a parallel to the word-play 'wishful drinking’ for ‘wishful thinking’.

l. 26. Cf. Ovid, Fasti 2. 637: et bene vos, bene te, patriae pater, optime Caesar, dicite suffuso per sacra verba mero. Lament for Bion:

T.F.H.

(p. 60) : in the style of Virgil's Eclogues.

Acknowledgements Dr.

Gow's

version

of I sing of a maiden

CARMINA: MCMLXIII, pages 22-23.

was

first published

in

Well I remember how you smiled and On his deathbed poor Lubin lies are reprinted with alterations from the versions published in Latin Teaching (Nov. 1962 and June 1969), the editor of which contributes to this anthology. 'Thanks are due to Sir Alan Herbert and to A. P. Watt and Son, his literary agents, for permission to print The

dog, considered a saga-

cious beast from Full Enjoyment & Other Verses (Methuen, 1952). And 1 on my bed alone was first published in Vita Latina, Feb. 1969

(Aubanel: Avignon). Paene Puella Puer and Persephone were first published in Latinitas

(Città del Vaticano). 71