Sunday, January 28, 2007

Carmen in praesulem Civitatum Foederatarum Iambicum.
Die 28 Mense Jan. Ann. 2007 A.D.

Cruenta, inepte, nunc per arva Tigridis

videsne caedem plurimorum et fortium

et innocentium audiistin non tibi

faventium voces neque insanae tuae

menti novorum armorum et "Ite!" pedibus

etiam suades errantibus de tramite

equos furentes? melioribus sinas,

iam te, precamur, persuaderi inutile

bellum moventem civibus—quamquam utile est

tuis—ut orbi debitam pacem feras.



TRANSLATION



Iambic Poem, to the president of the United States

January 28, 2007.


Over Tigris' fields, blood-spattered

don't you now see the fallen--brave

and innocent both? Have you not heard

the voices of those who favor neither you

nor your raging intentions for fresh arms?

And still "Onward!" do you bid the maddened

team which has erred from the course?

We beg you, who move a war profitless

for citizens--though profitable for your own--

to bring the peace that's owed the world.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Part of the Lumber Jack Song in Latin Hexameters, in choral responsion between the lumberjack and the elderly chorus of lumberjacks:

Lumberjack:

I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK,
I sleep all night and I work all day.

My Version:

lautus ego quippe alta die mihi robora caedo;
nocte cadente Sopor lumina fessa operit!

TRANSLATION

I'm splendid because I cut the tall oak beams during day,
But when night falls, Sleep seals my tired eyes.

The elderly chorus of lumberjacks RESPOND:

pinea ligna focis domibusque trabes tibi curae;
solis luce labor; nocte gravi recubas.

TRANSLATION

pine-wood fags for hearths; wood beams for homes are your concern,
during sun's light there's work to do, when night is deep you recline in sleep.
Ad puellam munere Musarum praeditam: For a girl, endowed with the gift of marvelous harpsichord playing:

ille ego qui fueram crepitantia cymbala mirans
(heu mihi tam longa corde micante mora)
tu quando argutos hymnos modulata eleganter
plectra movere sciens; pectora plena deo!

TRANSLATION

I was the one who listened dumbstruck to the tuneful keys' melody,
--as my heart-oh!-beat the time--
then, when you were deftly measuring clear-voiced songs
skilful at moving the plectrum, divinely inspired heart.