Re: medieval Latin translation help needed
| From: | R A Brown <ray@...> |
|---|
| Date: | Tuesday, July 11, 2006, 7:04 |
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Hanuman Zhang wrote:
> I would like to know if any one can/would have a translation of the
> following:
OK
> O Fortuna
O Fate,
> velut luna
like the moon
> statu variabilis,
changeable in state,
> semper crescis
you are always waxing
> aut decrescis;
and waning;
> vita detestabilis
hateful life
> nunc obdurat
is at one moment hard
> et tunc curat
and the next moment watches over
> ludo mentis aciem,
the mind's sharpness in gambling;
> egestatem,
poverty [direct object]
> potestatem
(and) power [DO}
> dissolvit ut glaciem.
it melts like ice.
> Sors immanis
Luck, monstrous
> et inanis,
and empty,
> rota tu volubilis,
you whirling wheel,
> status malus,
evil state,
> vana salus
vain salvation
> semper dissolubilis,
(which is) always dissolvable,
> obumbrata
overshadowed
> et velata
and veiled
> michi quoque niteris;
you harass me also;
> nunc per ludum
now because of gambling
> dorsum nudum
(my) naked back [direct object]
> fero tui sceleris.
I bring to your villainy.
> Sors salutis
The luck of heath
> et virtutis
and of strength
> michi nunc contraria,
(which is) now against me,
> est affectus
is troubled
> et defectus
and ruined
> semper in angaria.
always in (your) service.
[The poet now address his listeners - 2nd pers. plural]
> Hac in hora
In this hour
> sine mora
without delay
> corde pulsum tangite;
strike the strumming of the string;
> quod per sortem
for that which by chance
> sternit fortem,
lays a strong man low,
> mecum omnes plangite!
you all weep with me!
>
> - "CARMINA BURANA 1. FORTUNA IMPERATRIX MUNDI"
FATE/LUCK EMPRESS OF THE WORLD
--
Ray
==================================
ray@carolandray.plus.com
http://www.carolandray.plus.com
==================================
"Ein Kopf, der auf seine eigene Kosten denkt,
wird immer Eingriffe in die Sprache thun."
"A mind that thinks at its own expense
will always interfere with language".
J.G. Hamann, 1760
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