Ad Montem Heliconium

2011-04-16T13:51:00.005-04:00

"They come dear son, to take our land" - Revision 5

adveniunt ut agrōs rapiant, dīlecte, paternōs
fīlī, iam in campōs agmina saeva adigunt.
pugnēmus itaque et lapidēs hōs, arripiāmus
rāmōs, extorta et corde ferōce valent!
oscula dā mātrī; claustrumque impōnere longum
dīc puerīs; et equās celsa ferant stabula!
lūceat adsiduē fulvus (nam spēcula nostrīs
cordibus ardēbit) igne micante focus!

They come dear son, to seize ancestral land;
now drive their savage throngs towards our fields.
And so let's fight, let's grasp these rocks,
these boughs: when hurled with valorous heart
they avail quite well for arms.

Kiss your mother, and tell the boys
to put the long bolt on the door;
to bring the mares to stables high,
and to keep the hearth (for a glimmer
of hope will continue to blaze in our hearts)
lit with glittering fire.

2011-04-03T00:47:00.012-04:00

Fragment, revised (iv)

adveniunt ut agrōs rapiant, dīlecte, paternōs
fīlī, iam in campōs agmina saeva adigunt.
pugnēmus itaque et lapidēs hōs, arripiāmus
rāmōs, extorta et corde ferōce valent!
oscula dā mātrī; claustrumque impōnere longum
dīc puerīs; et equās celsa ferant stabula!

They come, dear son, to take our land
and into fields lead savage troops.
And so let's fight, let's seize these rocks,
these boughs: if hurled with courageous heart,
they'll do quite well for arms.

Kiss your mother, tell the boys
to bolt the doors up tight; make sure
they bring the mares to their high stables.

2010-11-26T15:02:00.011-05:00

End of the Road

(based on Viva La Vida, by Coldplay)

Photo (detail): Margaret Bourke-White, 1944. Source: LIFE/Google

"Quondam omnēs gentēs diciōne sōlus

ūnicā rēxī, pelagusque nūtū

aestuat meō; placidē resēdit

dicta facessens.

Fortūnae in palmō positus superbō

hostium timens pavidumque sensī

pectus; victorem et populus canēbat:

'Aemule dīvīs,

iō!' saevō ingressus milite ōlim in urbēs

gemmārum et aurī rapiēbam acervōs

templa infracta et foedera fracta līquī

turbinis instar.

mox terrōre armīsque regō cruentīs

ossibus trītīs procerum corōna est

et cruōre facta thronusque fūsō

sanguine fultus.

Cārius praedīs caput esse opīmīs

ōra per vulgī volitat susūrrus

nōvī stāre mōbilibus deinde

rēgiam harēnīs."

tālī garrulus mihi fātus ōre

senex nunc verrens trivium celebre

quod tyrannus tum numerāret inter

spōlia regnī.

Translation:

"Once I alone ruled all nations

with unparalleled might

and the sea at my nod

swells; and - eager to do my bidding -

there! has settled down again.

Placed in Fortune's haughty palm,

I sensed the quaking, timid heart

of my enemy, and as victor

the people would hymn me:

"Hail, O Rival to the Gods!"

Once, I invaded cities with savage armies

and seized heaps of gems and gold,

broken temples, and broken treaties

I left behind, like a savage tornado.

Then with terror and by cruel arms I rule;

From the ground bones and the gore

of princes has my diadem been made

and my throne supported

on their spilled blood.

The whisper flits across the people's lips

that my head is dearer than rich plunder

Then I know my palace stands

on shifting sand."

With such words did the talkative

old man address me, as now he swept

the crowded public square -

which back then as monarch - so he claimed -

he reckoned as a prize of war.

Model:

I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Now in the morning I sleep alone

Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

Listen as the crowd would sing:

"Now the old king is dead, Long live the king"

One minute I held the key

next the walls were closed on me

and I discovered that my castles stand

on pillars of salt ʻnʻ pillars of sand

[refrain 1]

It was the wicked and wild wind

blew down the doors to let me in

shattered windows and the sound of drums

people couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait

for my head on a silver plate

Just a puppet on a lonely string

Oh, who would ever want to be king?

[refrain 2 x 2]

2010-11-24T11:38:00.010-05:00

Viva La Vida in Latin Sapphics

(original lyrics by Coldplay)

[in progress]

Quondam omnēs gentēs diciōne sōlus

ūnicā rēxī, pelagusque nūtū

aestuat meō; placidē resēdit

dicta facessens.

Fortūnae in palmō positus superbō

hostium timens pavidumque sensī

pectus; victorem et populus canēbat:

'Aemule dīvīs,

iō!' saevō ingressus milite ōlim in urbēs

gemmārum et aurī rapiēbam acervōs

templa infracta et foedera fracta līquī

turbinis instar.

mox terrōre armīsque regō cruentīs

ossibus trītīs procerum corōna est

et cruōre facta thronusque fūsō

sanguine fultus.

Translation:

Once I alone ruled all nations

with unparalleled might

and the sea at my nod

swelled; and eager to do my bidding

settled down again.

Placed in Fortune's haughty palm,

I sensed the quaking, timid heart

of my enemy, and as victor

the people would hymn me:

"Hail, O Rival to the Gods!"

Once, I invaded cities with savage armies

and seized heaps of gems and gold,

broken temples, and broken treaties

I left behind, like a savage tornado.

Then with terror and by cruel arms I rule;

From the ground bones and the gore

of princes has my diadem been made

and my throne supported

on their bloodshed.

Model:

I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Now in the morning I sleep alone

Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

Listen as the crowd would sing:

"Now the old king is dead, Long live the king"

One minute I held the key

next the walls were closed on me

and I discovered that my castles stand

on pillars of salt ʻnʻ pillars of sand

[refrain]

It was the wicked and wild wind

blew down the doors to let me in

shattered windows and the sound of drums

people couldn't believe what I'd become

2010-11-24T02:34:00.003-05:00

Fragment of Work in Progress:

Parce mihi, mors atra, precor, diem in alterum, et index

ne digitus monstret - signa timenda - tuus!

Spare me Death, I pray, spare me over

'til another day; and let not your finger

- fearsome sign! - point at me today.

2010-09-12T21:32:00.006-04:00

Laguna Beach, California (Sapphics)

Rough Draft

lītorī crēdunt decus aureumque

līquidumque undae; reboat (u _ _)

cautes immōtusque repellit agmen

vīgil aquārum.

Lūna scintillīs nitidīs corusca

caerulum spargit pelagus, fragōsa

saxa; corda et Pacificī serēnant

anxia ventī.

To the shores the waves endow

their golden, flowing trust.

The serene cliff re-echoes, and repels

the onward march of waters,

unmoving watch.

The moon - look! - sprinkles the

azure gulf, the rugged cliffs

with glittering pin-pricks

of light...

2010-09-12T19:24:00.003-04:00

Laguna Beach, California (Sapphics)

lītorī crēdunt decus aureumque

līquidumque undae; reboat serēnus

cautes immōtusque repellit agmen

vīgil aquārum.

Lūna scintillīs - vide! - jam coruscīs

caerulum spargit pelagus, fragōsa

saxa; [convīvarum hilarī taberna est

plēna corōnā.]

To the shores the waves endow

their golden, flowing trust.

The serene cliff re-echoes, and repels

the onward march of waters,

unmoving watch.

The moon - look! - sprinkles the

azure gulf, the rugged cliffs

with glittering pin-pricks

of light. [The bar is packed with

a cheerful throng of merrymakers.]

2010-09-07T09:44:00.006-04:00

Fragment

Hīc 'nova nupta, iō!' clāmārant laeta iuventae

turba atque aerea tum Sancta Marīa canit

Tum placet hūc nōbīs - foedera firma - redīre

'dēserere est thalamum fās sine amōre meum,'

haec tua tum dicta et potuit convīvium alacre

audīrī procul et carmina canta tibi.

coniunx et celebrat, celebrat iūcunda corōna

quamquam et stant longē, nostra susūrra placent!

Here the happy throng of youth

had shouted 'hurray for the new bride!'

Then Saint Mary sings her songs of bronze.

Then does it please us to return here -

a firm pact - then these were your words:

'It's right to desert my marriage bed

without love as it is.' Then the lively

festivities, and the songs sung for you

could be heard from afar, and your husband

celebrates, and the merry multitude.

And though they stand far off, nonetheless

our whispers please us.

2010-09-06T00:04:00.007-04:00

St. Mary's Bells (Take One)

(inspired by Jacques Brel, "Je ne sais pas")

Alta suōs ulmus, fāgī et posuēre colōrēs

sōlus apud callem tē maneō solitum.

Clangōrēs, mea amāta, Marīam ēmittere Sanctam

audiō et exspectō; tempus abīre premit!

convēnit nōbīs cum Plīada (mense Novembrī)

vīdimus in summō - hūc rediisse - polō.

At ventī quīdam sonitus crispantia flantis

fōlia; cornīcis vox et acūta monent:

Lītora tē nāvī procul hinc illō comitante

Mīra petītūram; excēdere amōre novō.

The tall elm and the beech

have set aside their colors.

I await you alone, by the accustomed path.

Saint Mary sounds her brazen bells:

I listen and watch out for you.

The time to depart presses (upon us)!

We agreed to return here, when saw the Pleiads

at the sky's summit.

And yet a certain sound - of the wind

blowing the trembling leaves; that,

and the crow's sharp cry advise me:

that you aim to reach strange shores

with him as your companion,

that you depart with new love.

2010-08-23T19:33:00.006-04:00

Patroclus and Achilles - Take Four

Dūrīs, Achille, ex cautibus et gelū

numquam solūtō nāte, movent neque haec

dīrae bucīnae nuntiantēs

Dardana tēla fugasse nostrōs;

nec celsa virtus nunc morientium?

vallō minātur Trōica pīneō

pūbēs, resistet firma porta

illa diū neque fortis Ājax.

silvās velut cum flamma vorat, velut

nīvēs perennēs Thrēiciae cadunt

sīc ista saevit semper īra

rōbora quā pereunt Achaea.

Born of the hard rock, Achilles,

and of ice never-dissolved,

do neither the dread trumpets

move you, announcing that

Dardan weapons have put our own to flight,

nor the lofty courage of the dying?

Trojan youth now threaten the pine-wood

rampart, nor will that firm gate,

nor brave Ajax long withstand (them).

As when a fire devours forests, like

Thracian snows fall, year-round,

so does your anger ever rage,

for which the picked men of Achaea perish.

2010-08-22T12:08:00.011-04:00

Patroclus and Achilles - Take Three

Dūrīs, Achille ex cautibus et gelū

numquam solūtō nāte, movent neque haec

vōcēs bucīnae nōn valentēs

rōbora nec moritūra Achaea?

vī pugnat Ājax Hectoreae tenax

vallō et minātur Trōica pīneō

pūbēs, resistet firma postis

ille diū neque fortis hērōs.

silvās velut cum flamma vorat; velut

nīvēs perennēs Thrēiciae cadunt

ignis furōris semper ardet,

nunc animōs ruit iste nostrōs.

"Achilles, born of the hard crags, born

of ice never-dissolved,

Do neither the failing calls of the war-trumpet,

nor Achaea's picked troops, about to die,

move you?

Stubborn Ajax fights 'gainst Hector's might,

and the Trojan youth threaten the pine-wood

rampart. Now the firm door post will not,

nor will that brave hero, resist for long.

As when a fire devours forests; as

the Thracian snows fall, year-round,

so does the fire of your rage e'er blaze,

(and) now it lays our courage low."

2010-08-20T23:14:00.002-04:00

Patroclus to Achilles

Alternative Stanzas

(2)

Altīs, Achille ex rūpibus et gelū

numquam solūtō nāte, movent neque haec

vōcēs bucīnae nōn valentēs

rōbora nec moritūra Achaea?

Born of the high crags and never-dissolving frost

do neither these failing calls of the war trumpet,

nor the picked troops of Greece, about to die,

move you?

2010-08-20T10:26:00.005-04:00

Patroclus to Achilles

alternative first stanzas

(1)

Ō nāte dūrā ex caute, leōnibus

nūtrīte, flectī cor sine ferreum

ut fonte pūrō cum minūta est

flamma, furensve fugātus Auster...

2010-08-18T21:36:00.010-04:00

Patroclus Achillem orat, ut īram dēponat

Patroclus begs Achilles to put aside his anger (Revised Version)

in Alcaics

"Ō nāte dūrā ex rūpe, leōnibus

nutrīte, mollīrī sine tē, precor,

ut fonte pūrō cum minūta est

flamma, furensve fugātus Auster

maris potentī; nam cohibet manūs

vī turma Grāiās Hectoreā tenax:

Lux nostra, nunc exstingue saevum

rōbora quō pereunt Achaea

furōris ignem, tē morientium

clāmor, bucīna et admoneat gravis

nōn sustinērī posse Phoebo

tēla diū Lycia adiuvante."

O, born of the harsh cliff, nourished

by lions, allow yourself to be won over,

I pray, as when fire has been lessened

by clear water, or raging Auster

put to flight by Neptune. For a squadron,

tenacious thanks to Hector’s might,

hems in the Greek forces.

O our light, now quench the fire

of savage anger, through which

the flower of Achaea perish.

Let the cry of the dying, and the

deep-pitched trumpet now remind you

that Lycian spears cannot be sustained

for long, with Phoebus helping (them).

2010-07-11T13:48:00.005-04:00

Quid valet altus Amor?

Rough Draft

Quid valet altus Amor? Vestīgia flectere suāsit

mīlitiās certī dūcis adīre gravēs:

ignōtum officium - vigilāre apud ostia Gallae -

cūrat; iam sōlā lūdere nocte lyram.

Prīmum capta rudī suspīria, Ō, Galatēa,

saxō fēcit Amor vīvifica ut traherēs!

Sextō claudentēs oriuntur amōre puellae

versūs cēlantis corde secrēta suō.

Dēlia fuit causae, Rōmāne poēta, canendō

nec moritūra lyrā, terse Tibulle, tuā.

What can lofty love do? It urged a general

to bend back his steps, dead-set though he was

on beginning grievous tours of duty.

Now an unaccustomed duty concerns him:

staying up nights by his Galla's door;

serenading her on guitar throughout the lonely night.

And, O, captive of the rough rock, you, Galatea;

Love first caused you to draw life-giving breaths!

Out of love Propertius' limping verses sprang forth,

love for a girl who hid her secrets

deep in her heart;

and Delia was the cause, Roman poet, for your song;

nor will she ever die, concise Tibullus, thanks to your lyre.

2010-07-08T22:25:00.005-04:00

Quid valet altus Amor? - a fragment

Magno claudentes oriuntur amore puellae

versus; celantis corde secreta suo

Out of great love for a girl,

who hides secrets in her heart

limping verses spring forth...

2010-03-06T12:43:00.007-05:00

Epigraph to the Eulogy for Mr. Turner
(delivered 3/6/10 at St. Sebastian's Church; Providence RI).

Felīx, nunc exīs ad lītora, prāta beāta,
laetōrum, at nōbīs, quōs meminisse iuvant
dicta facēta tua; studium scriptōribus altum
antīquīs, et amor discipulōrum, etiam
vīvis; et inspīrās; absīs licet, optime Turner,
corpore; nunc animō, docte magister, adēs!

Happily you now travel to the shores of the blessed
but as for us, whom it pleases to remember
your witticisms, your deep passion for the ancient authors,
and your love for your students, for us you still live.
And though, Mr. Turner, you be absent in body
Now in spirit, learned teacher, you are present for us.

2010-02-15T17:13:00.002-05:00

Achilles runs alone
in Sapphic meter

undā per lītus resonante Phthīus
fragōsum et sōlum (procul est tubārum
invidus clangor; strepitūsque dīrī)

currit Achillēs.

iam volant āvēs, minitante vōce
clangōrēs fundunt ut Achillis urget
plūmeae cursus aciē fugatque
Thessala cūpit

lītora et salsum pelagus redīre

Along the strand, the lonely strand,
breaking with the crash of waves
(far is the hated trumpets' call;
far the cry of men) Phthian Achilles
runs.

The terns flit away, hurling threats
as Achilles' swift onset presses near
then causes them to flee; to Thessaly's

shores and seas he longs to go.

2010-01-09T12:04:00.008-05:00

Against Mountaintop CoalMining, or, Sweet Appalachian Mountain Spring (yet another work in progress).

summa vidēs montis praecīsa, cacūmina dempta,
(pīnūs hīc steterant, crescit ubī lolium)?
umbrōsas sinuit per quercūs flumina rīvus,
squāmeus et lūsit gurgite grex tepidō.
Aspice, nunc latebrās ut compleat ārida arēna...

Do you see the top of the mountain, shorn off,
its majestic heights removed?
Here, pines had stood,
where now the darnel grows.
There, the brook unfolded its streams
between the shadowy oaks,
and the scaly flock played in the warm waters.
Look, how the dry sand now fills their haunts...

2009-12-15T08:26:00.007-05:00

To Camilla (Work in Progress)
inspired by Vergil, Aen 7.803-811

Curre, cucurristī per tōtam, fulminis instar,
vītam; strinxistī |* aequora nec pedibus.
_____
*utrum possint hiātūs apud hanc sēdem esse, nesciō; sed hīc hiātus poētae placet.

Run!
Resplendent and swift, like a thunderbolt,
you've run your whole life
nor did your feet ever graze the plain
as you ran.

2009-12-08T23:08:00.004-05:00

Poem for my Gallic Girl (work in progress)

Cantus sit Gallae, sī sint mea carmina digna;
Quid mea fīt Gallā scripta rogante? Labor.
Hīc labor optimus est: elegīam scrībere Gallae;
Hōc tibi sī placeat, Galla, poēma, bonum est!

Let my Gallic girl have song
if my songs are worthy.

What happens when she asks for one,
written out? Hard work.

But it is excellent work,
to write song for her.

If this poem please you,
Gallic beauty, only then is it good.

2009-12-06T10:53:00.006-05:00

Prayer from the Front
Work in Progress

"Ō gemma pontī pulchra Sarōnicī
quam prōtegunt castae Artemidis manūs
tūtāmen estō cīvitātis:
nūmine mox redeam volente."

"O fine jewel of the Saronic Bay
whom the hands of chaste Diana protect
Be thou a bulwark for the citizens:
If god so will, I shall soon return..."

2009-11-22T10:23:00.015-05:00

Patroclus ut Achillis īra minuātur precātur.

"Furōris ardens et nimis ignibus
accense, flectī tē sine carmine
ut fonte pūrō dēminūta est
flamma furensve fugātus Auster

maris potentī, nam cohibet manūs
vī turma Grāiās Hectoreā tenax:
Lux nostra, iam dēpōne saevam
rōbora quā pereunt Achaea

īram, minus hāc sī moveam prece,
incerta saltem tē moneat tuba
nōn sustinērī posse Phoebō
tēla diū Lycia adiuvante."

Patroklos prays that Akhilleus' anger be assuaged.

"O blazing and too roused by anger's fires
Be thou bent and softened by this prayer
just as flames are lessened by pure waters
or the South wind, which flees at Neptune's bidding.

For the Trojan squadron, holding fast
by Hector's might, hems in the Danaan troops.
O, our saving light, now lay aside
the savage anger by which

our best now die. And if I not move you
by this prayer, then at least let
the uncertain trumpets' blare remind you
that Lycian arrows can not much longer
be withstood, so long as Apollo helps their side."

2009-11-16T21:10:00.004-05:00

Soon to Graduate

O, ērudītīs praeposita artibus
tē, docta prōles, fronte Iovis sata (et)
Mūsae novem, vōs, turba mīra,
rēgia prōtegit Arx piandās.

O, you, set in charge of the liberal arts,
skilled offspring, born of Zeus' forehead,
and you, Muses nine, marvelous throng,
you goddesses, fit for reverence,
this royal citadel protects.

2009-11-15T13:36:00.005-05:00

Alternative last Stanzas

(1)

omnēs - tuam ad laudem - scopulōs suā
rēplet sonōrōs harmoniā; modīs
mīrīs resultat rūpes omnis;
alta sonō feriuntur astra

(2)

Neptune, O, regnī scopulōs tuī
rēplet sonōrōs laudibus; et modīs
mīrīs resultat rūpes omnis;
omne specus sonat; omne lītus.

2009-11-07T13:53:00.017-05:00

Translation of Thomas Campion's
Hymn in Praise of Neptune
in Latin Alcaics.

"Used to determine the Merton, New, Magdalen, Corpus, and Worcester College scholarships at Oxford in 1891" (Califf 2002: 140); no paraphrase was used as an aid in composing this piece.

Petrus Lichoas:

Neptūne, regnum caeruleum tuum,
cuius timendīs agmina fluctuum
obtemperant sceptrīs, canāmus,
flūmina quem celebrant cadūca

altissimīs dē montibus, aequora et
laudant gregēs ob lūcida squāmeī
- sēdēs suās - sollemnem et omnis
nauta tuae lapidem corōnae

ūmentibus dat dē loculīs suīs.
Trītōnum et aulae prae foribus chorī
maris solum pulsant trementis;
iam resonant vada salsa mōtū,

caelum ut fragōsō cum tonitrū boat.
Altum et colentēs - grex ululantium -
Nymphaeque, Sīrēnumque suāvī
turba perīta necāre cantū

omnēs - tuam ad laudem - scopulōs suā
rēplet sonōrōs harmoniā; modīs
mīrīs resultat rūpes omnis;
alta sonō feriuntur astra

Thomas Campion:

Of Neptune's empire let us sing,
at whose command the waves obey;
to whom the rivers tribute pay,
Down the mountains sliding:
To whom the scaly nation yields
Homage for the crystal fields
Wherein they dwell:
And every sea-dog pays a gem
yearly out of his wat'ry cell
To deck great Neptune's diadem.

The Tritons dancing in a ring
Before his palace gates do make
The water with their echoes quake
Like the great thunder sounding:
The sea nymphs with their accents shrill,
And the sirens, taught to kill
With their sweet voice,
Make ev'ry echoing rock reply
Unto their gentle murmuring noise
The praise of Neptune's empery.

2009-11-06T21:35:00.006-05:00

egens puellā quō fugiam meā
"Without her, where should I take refuge?"
In Horatian Alcaics

egens puellā quō fugiam meā?
Montēs adeptus num viridēs vager
lūnae velut qui lūminōsae
vōce lupus minitante cantat

explens sonō lustra et nemora invia
saevō, comantēs quī movet īlicēs?
Sīc spīritus spīrante Mūsā
interiōre sonō movētur.

Without her
Where should I take refuge?
Should I reach the verdant mountain
ranges, and there, wander
like a wolf
who sings to the luminous moon
with threatening howls

filling his haunts and glades
with the savage sound,
which moves the leafy
holm-oaks ?

This is how my heart moves,
when inspired,
stirred by a sound from within.

2009-11-02T23:05:00.006-05:00

(1) First line of an Alcaic "Soon to Graduate":

doctam ērudītīs praepositam artibus
arcem

O Citadel of Learning;
Seat of the Fine Arts

(2) Stanza for an Alcaic poem for work in progress:

egens puellae quō fugiam meae?
Montēs adeptus num Viridēs vager
lūnae velut qui lūminōsae
vōce lupus minitante cantat

explens sonō lustra et nemora invia
saevō...

Where should I flee
Now that I'm without my girl?
Having arrived at the Green Mountains
Should I there wander,
like a wolf who sings
to the luminous moon
with menacing voice

Filling his haunts and glades
with the savage sound?

2009-10-31T10:59:00.007-04:00

Another Stanza For A.A. Bondy Latin Version
(Opus prōcēdit; nec iam perfectum est)

altīs procul sum moenibus; urbis et
frēnīs solūtus per iuga nunc vagor
lūnae velut baubans lupus, iam
reddet et ipse animum quietum

explens sonō lustra et nemora invia
saevō...

Far am I from the towering city
and, free from its restraints,
I now wander over the mountain ridges
like a wolf, howling gently at the moon
soon to restore peace to its soul

by filling the haunts and glades
with that savage sound...

2009-10-30T23:09:00.010-04:00

"Salus Populī Lex Summa Estō"
Elegiac Meter

mē retinēre credis quīn scrībam carmina acerba?
(sēsē - ut vēra dīcam - quis retinēre potest?)
cūria nunc partim - populī quae tōta salūtem
dēliberat variī - consulit ipsa suae.
rīdet iam tōtus - nisi nōn terrae stupet orbis -
"Illīc* optima lex estne salus populī?"
______
cf. Prop. 1.19.11: illīc, quicquid erō, semper tua dīcar imāgō

Do you think that I can keep from writing bitter songs
(Who - to tell that truth - can hold back?)
Part of the senate - which, in its entire
deliberates over the health of a diverse people -
now looks to its health alone.
Now the entire world - if it isn't in shock -
snickers: "is that really the place where they say
"The Health of the People
Shall be the highest Law -
"Salus Populī Lex Summa Estō"?

2009-10-06T23:23:00.004-04:00

Alcaic Stanza for work in progress:
"I can see the pines are dancing"

fērā poēta in silvā ululam velut
lūnae lupus cēdentibus asperae
signīs suō caecīs nitōre
rursus Amor volitans relīquit

quem nunc canentem barbitos adiuvat
maestus poētam; hoc et mihi sit melos
ignī furantī; quō involūtus
mox fuerō renovanda ut āles

Let me howl like a wolf
in the wild wood;
night's standard-bearers
to the jagged moon
give way, unseen
for its bright gleaming.

Quick-moving love again has left again.

Let this song be
as a raging fire
and I the Phoenix,
consumed by it.

2009-10-06T00:53:00.006-04:00

Stanzas for
"I can see the pines are dancing"

Fērā poēta in silvā ululam velut
lūnae lupus cēdentibus asperae
signīs suō caecīs nitōre
rursus Amor volitans relīquit

mē; quem canentem barbitos adiuvat -

Let me howl in the wild wood,
like a wolf, as the sky's bright signs,
now unseen from its refulgence,
give way to the jagged moon.

Again quick-moving love has left
me, now the lyre encourages

2009-10-04T11:13:00.010-04:00

Dēsiste, cor
In Alcaic Meter
Inspired by A.A. Bondy "I can see the pines are dancing"
In memory of Summer 2009

Dēsiste, cor, iam tundere pectora:
nōn tē cicādae cantus in arduō
saltū relaxat? - (1) quī serēnā
nocte facit saliant comētae

saltū relaxat? - (2) quī comētās
nocte trahit mediā fugācēs .

Translation

Heart, stop pounding 'gainst my chest:
Doesn't the cicada's sweet song
filling the steep mountain ravine
soothe you?

(1)
And it makes the comets dance
across the serene night sky.
(2)
and it lures the comets out
streaking 'cross the midnight sky

2009-09-23T23:14:00.007-04:00

Carmina non prosunt
Songs aren't any use
(Latin Elegiacs)

"Carmina non prosunt, non auri cantus acervis
addet; nec digitum progrediere tua
in vita dominae nova semper fingere temptans
carmina, non fama est celsa petenda tibi?"
Talia sic fatur sibi (recta mente) poeta
rursum at scribat, si praetereat domina!

"Songs are no use; they're not
going to add to your gleaming
pile of gold. Your life's not
going to advance a finger's breadth
by always trying to come up with new
songs for your girl. Shouldn't
you be seeking lofty glory?"
Such did the poet say to himself,
when his mind was thinking clear.
But if his girl walked by that day
He'd take to writing verse again.

2009-09-19T12:58:00.007-04:00

Don't Let Your Eager Heart Conspire
(English Iambic Tetrameter/Latin Elegiac Verse Translation)

Let not your eager heart conspire
to wreak cool reason's o'er throw
(and yet her passion'd glance inspires
the reason of this tended grove

this green-lit bow'r, wherein my song
can shelter from all harden'd glance
for there it grows, on tunèd lyre
the trellis and frame of my desire).

Cordi ne liceat praestringere mentis acumen
at mihi sunt cordi, lumina pulchra tua!
Causas quae mihi dant versus scribendi, et amorem
altum cantandi; sola velut nemora
inter quae vagor alta; polire meos libet omnes
hic versus; silva in hac mihi crescat Amor.

2009-09-12T13:11:00.003-04:00

Sapphics inspired by
Run this Town (First Draft)

Verticem incedam feriente solus
imbre sublimem, et colaphis resistam
ventorum nam mox aderit poetae
meta laborum

I shall walk proudly, my head
held high against the lashing
rain and the blows of the wind,
alone: yet soon will the poet's
toils return their due.

2009-08-22T18:01:00.016-04:00

SENORITA: Inspired by Justin Timberlake;
written in Sapphic mode.

ut mei maestam miseret puellam
crinibus fusis oculisque quondam
laetis, corruptis lacrimas recenter
propter obortas!

quae nondum sertam meruit coronam
victricem, passae pueri parum aequi
tela; cuius non simili est amicus*
vulnere passus.

sentiat, si illam liceat lacertis
amplexari mollibus, esse amoris
verioris me stimulantis usque
summa adipisci

virtutis. Per nubila dormienti
visa est interdum mihi summa currens
leniter; "mecum," rogat et stupentem
"visne volare?"

________
vel tela; non ictu simili est amicus
saucius ipse.

How sad I am for
The sorrowful girl, her hair undone,
and her eyes, once happy,
now ruined on account of
tears, recently sprung!

She has earned a crown,
a victor's crown, not yet plaited,
for the woman who has suffered
the shafts of unfair Cupid:
whose boyfriend wasn't struck
with the same wound.

She would feel, if I could only
hold her in my gentle arms,
that I was of a love more true,
a love that was ever goading
me on to attain the heights

of excellence. When I sleep
I've sometimes seen her
in my dreams, lightly running
over the tops of the clouds.
And she asks me, dumbfounded
though I am, "Do you want
to fly with me?"

ORIGINAL

On that sunny day
Didn't know I'd meet
Such a beautiful girl
Walking down the street
Seen those bright brown eyes
With tears coming down
She deserves a crown
But where is it now
Mamma listen

Senorita, I feel for you
You deal with things, that you don't have to
He doesn't love ya, I can tell by his charm
But you could feel this real love
If you just lay in my...

Running fast in my mind
Girl don't you slow it down
If we carry on this way
This thing might leave the ground
How would you like to fly?

2009-08-02T16:52:00.022-04:00

Ad Oras Anglorum Novas Rediturae (in progress)

Novi ________* nunc Eboraci litora linquit
Anglorumque oras mox reditura novas
umidiores nunc, aestas quando est media; imber
nocte venit sera; tela iacit nitida
saeva sonans acies tonitru - reboante nemore -
nubium, et est cordi continuisse suam
iam cuique amatori; pluviamque audisse canoram
tectum pulsantem, et verba susurra* loqui.
"Proferat illa O si nox clara diem; trahat horas
has nobis, liceat quas removere die."

___________
*name surpressed (scans as dactyl)
*susurrus, -a, -um: Ovid Met. 7.825.

Manhattan's shores she leaves behind
soon to return to New England's climes,
more humid now at midsummer's height.

Now the rain comes late at night,
when warlike, ranks of clouds resound
with thunder, as they hurl down

their brilliant spears; their brazen clangor's
heard amongst the trees. And amours
are kept safe inside; embraces

are dear to lovers now, their place
lies in each other's arms. The song
of the rain on the rooftops; the soft

whispers: "O if night delayed
tomorrow, and added, from the day
to the few hours we now share."

2009-07-26T22:14:00.006-04:00

Carmen de nocte Cantabrigii deacta
Last Night in Cambridge (to be continued)

iam celebres laeta calles sunt pube; calorem
aura coruscantem, nocte cadente, fugat.
gaudent convivis plenae quatiente tabernae
pulsu; desistit musica nec calices
vitae propini longaeque bonaeque; lucernae
sparsae intermissis luce micant tenebris.

Now the streets are thronging with life; the breeze
makes glittering summer's heat flee, as night falls.
The clubs, packed with party-goers, rejoice
as they shake with the beat, and the music doesn't,
nor do the cups, drunk in toasts to life good and long
stop; the scattered disco-lights' bright gleam
alternates with brief darkness.

2009-07-18T12:35:00.007-04:00

In puellam immoderatis dictis usam

non bene dicenti moderari disce, puella,
linguae; iam nugas fundere mitte tuas;

(1)
istas, prome iterum, sere quas vis, stulta, loquelas,
atque vide propere quam fugiant alii.

(2)
istas prome tuas; age, dic quascumque loquelas
optas, atque vide quam propere fugiant
auditores...

Learn how to restrain your tongue, girl,
that doesn't speak well of others;
Leave off pouring out your trifling nonsense.

(1)
Go on, fetch them out, sow whatever chatter you like,
and watch how quickly people run in the other direction.

(2)
fetch out that talk of yours, go on say whatever you want,
and watch how quickly your listeners run
in the other direction...

2009-05-03T12:43:00.002-04:00

Carmina non possunt (fragment)

"Carmina non possunt; non addit cantus acervis
aurum," talia grex nescius iste putet
Maestorum qui non...

"Songs can do nothing; songs cannot
to piles of gold coin add." Such let th'ignorant
throng of sorrowful...

2009-04-28T11:51:00.010-04:00

To Catullus (in progress)

Languebant digiti, stilus et squalore latebat,
Pauper eram, volui vivere nequitiis.
Otium idem quod tum proceres temptabat et urbes
me quoque tum tempat: vera, Catulle, mihi
(heu!) tua carmina sunt. Fuerat tibi Lesbia causa
nequitiae, sed erat Nequitia ipsa mihi!
At victus quarendus erat, fama alta petenda
Tum interior Vox ait, "tolle, poeta, lyram
aut elegos tu scribe canoros: Dulcia possunt
Laetitias maestis carmina ferre animis."

My fingers lay in disuse,
my pen in squalor skulked
I wished a feckless life to live!

Ease, that kings and cities
ruled, ruled me and proved
Catullus' lauded fifty true!

O, Catullus, Lesbia proved
to be your idleness' cause.
But mine was Idleness herself!

But a man must earn his bread
and high fame must be sought.
and an Inner voice now said, "poet

lift your lyre, or else
write tuneful elegies.
Sweet song a mournful heart can soothe."

2009-01-09T17:07:00.003-05:00

Astronaut's Love Song (Version 1)

Me tetigit caeli in celsis Amor ipse sagitta
terrarum quamvis orbe procul fugerem!
Non inter sparsas valui iam nare planetas
nauta nec intrepidus caeco habitare polo!
Has demum terras, haec tandem litora adeptus
quis via fulgebat tum facibus posui
miram sidereos galeam vestemque calores
amitto arcentes; nudus et orbus amo!

Love has struck me, while amidst heaven's heights
with his arrow, Love himself,
though I ran far from the inhabited world.
No longer could I swim amongst the scattered planets
Nor, bold astronaut though I was, live in the blind heights of heaven.
Finally touched down on this earth, finally on these shores,
I put aside the torches by which my way was then lit,
I put away my miraculous helm and garb,
the ones which fended off the star's bright heat,
And, nude and destitute, I am in love.

2009-01-06T00:54:00.009-05:00

Astronaut's Love Song
(componenda membra - fragments having-to-be-put-together)

Me tetigit caeli in celsis Amor ipse sagitta
terrarum quamvis orbe procul fugerem!
Et cecidi, nondum cupiebam nare planetas
nauta inter sparsas

***

has demum terras, haec tandem litora adeptus
quis via fulgebat tum facibus posui,
miram sidereos vestem galeamque calores
amitto arcentes, et mihi ridet Amor!*

*tibicen (temporary support)

Love has struck me, amidst the heights of heaven
with his arrow, yes, Love himself,
though I was fleeing far from earth.
And I fell, no longer did I want to swim
amidst the planets, an astronaut,

***
having at last touched down on this land, these shores
I put aside the torches with which my way was lit
I put aside my miraculous helmet and garments
the ones which warded off the star's bright heat.

2009-01-01T23:59:00.004-05:00

O Virides Montes (elegiac couplet)

O Virides Montes (Heliconia cedite lustra
(1)
Musis sacra novem); vos, iuga mira, cano!
(2)
Musis sacra novem); vos, nemora alta, cano!

Vermont! (give way, Heliconian haunts
sacred to the Muses nine), your marvels
groves are the subject of my song!

2008-11-16T23:02:00.003-05:00

Gyrantem amplexu (elegiac couplet)

Gyrantem amplexu plena saltantium in aula

gyrans iam tenui; me tenet ipsa oculis.

I held her now in embrace
as both of us spin in place
But it's me she really holds
with her glances.

2008-11-16T13:24:00.005-05:00

tene iterum tenso (work in progress!)

Tene iterum tenso sensi subrepere nervo?
Tune, O, rursus Amor, disticha clauda doces?

Was it you I caught, creeping surreptitiously,
your bow-string tensed?
It is you, Love, who again teach me
halting distichs??

2008-09-14T13:07:00.005-04:00

Flesne etiam? (elegiac couplet)

Flesne etiam? Num tu lacrimas in carmina vertes?
Altera dum veniat maeste poeta, cane!

Still crying, are you? Why won't you turn your tears into song?
'til another comes, sad poet, sing!!

2008-09-14T13:00:00.006-04:00

Iam Discessit Amor (elegiac couplets)

(A)

Iam discessit Amor, quas fixerat ante nitentes
corde faces removet; nunc gemitus remanent

Love's now left. The brands he'd planted
there before, gleaming, he removes.
Now laments remain.

(B)

Iam discessit Amor, secum fert corde remotas
taedas, nunc mixti carmine sunt gemitus

Love has left now, with him he brings
the brands, removed from my heart;
now plaints with songs are mingled.

(C)

Iam discessit Amor, secum sua corde remota
aufert tela meo; sit mea Musa dolor!

Love has left now, with him he carries off
his arrows, removed from my heart.
Let grief be now my Muse!

(D)

Iam discessit Amor; quas fixerat ante, removit
(1) corde faces tenero quod lacrimis medicor!
(2) corde faces, cordi nunc medeor lacrimis!

Love's now left. The brands he'd fixed there

(1) he's removed from my tender heart
which I now try to heal with tears.

(2) he's removed from my heart
and it's my heart I now try to heal
with tears.

2008-09-05T12:17:00.007-04:00

Carmina quid possunt? (elegiacs)

Carmina quid possunt? Solus lepida sine Musa
- Solus! - amore carens, gaudia amissa fleo!

What can songs do? Alone, without my charming Muse
- Alone! - without Love, I weep for the joys lost.

2008-08-20T23:15:00.004-04:00

Westron Wynde (elegiac poem)

Westron Wynde, when wilt thou blow
The small raine down can raine
Cryst, if my love were in my arms
and I in my bedde again!

O, Zephyre, flabunt quando tibi leniter aurae?
(imbre Iovi parco tum liceat pluere*!)
O, molli si iterum in lecto versarer, amatam
amplexu possem continuisse meam!
____________
*vel addas tingere tum liceat (Chris Jones).

O Western Wind, when will your breezes gently blow?
(then let it be permitted to Jove
to rain down with sparing rain!)
O, if only I were once again in my soft bed,
and able to hold my beloved
in my embrace!

2008-08-20T18:44:00.007-04:00

Westron Wynde (in Latin elegiac couplets)

Work in Progress!

Westron wynde, when wilt thou blow
The small raine down can raine
Cryst, if my love were in my arms
and I in my bedde again!

(1)
O, Zephyre, flabunt quando tibi leniter aurae?
tum parcus pluviam Iuppiter addet aquam.

O Western wind, when wilt thy breezes gently blow?
Then will Jove grant the rain, but sparingly.

(2)
O, Zephyre, flabunt quando tibi leniter aurae?
imbre Iovi parco tum liceat pluere!

O Western wind, when wilt thy breezes gently blow?
Then let it be permitted to Jove to rain with sparing rain.

(3)
O, Zephyre, flabunt quando tibi leniter aurae?
Pompaque ventorum tum tua parcet aquae!

O Western wind, when wilt thy breezes gently blow?
And then your procession of winds will be sparing with the rain.

2008-08-14T21:42:00.011-04:00

Volare - in Latin Sapphics
Italian Lyrics - Franco Migliacci
Latine vertit Petrus Johannes Carolus Lichoas

First Installment

Italian

Penso che un sogno cosi non ritorni mai piu
mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia blu
Poi d'improvviso venivo dal vento rapito
E incominciavo a volare nel cielo infinito

Volare, O O!
Cantare, O O O!
Nel blu, dipinto di blu
felice di stare lassu!

Latin Version

Non reversurum lepidum putabam
tale somnium; faciem manusque
- triste dictu! - caeruleo colore
inficiebam.

tum repente raptus ego furenti
sum vento infinitaque iam advolare
templa coepi (crederet haec quis umquam?)
caerula caeli.

me cantare, meque volare caelum
caerulo per caeruleum colore
pincta gaudebam specie, beatus
nubila mirans.

Translation of Latin

"Such a charming dream won't return!"
That's what I thought.
I painted my face and hands
- Sad to say! -
with the color blue.

Then, suddenly, I was seized
by the raging wind,
and began to fly
(who would ever believe this?)
to the infinite regions of heaven.

That I was singing, and
that I was flying
across the blue heavens,
my form painted blue,
that was my joy, as happily
I marveled at the clouds!

2008-08-14T00:35:00.002-04:00

Suavia da mihi (elegiac couplet)

Bésame, bésame mucho

Como si fuera esta noche

La última vez

Savia da mihi multa velut si savia ferres

ultima; si nox haec ultima nostra foret!

Give me many kisses, as if you were giving

the last ones; as if this night were our last.

2008-08-13T18:37:00.003-04:00

Candoris faciem (elegiac poem)

Candoris faciem plenam et ridentia canto
lumina; sermones nocte bona mutuos;
vestes - O visu mirabile! - carmine dignae;
saltum; horum memores semper erunt elegi!

Features full of candor, and smiling eyes
these are the subject of my song:
talks shared during the good night;
dresses (a marvel to see!) tailor-made for song;
her dance: these are the things
my elegies will always bring to mind.

2008-07-22T23:34:00.009-04:00

Strangers in the Night: Elegiac meter version.

Strangers in the night exchanging glances
Wondring in the night
What were the chances wed be sharing love
Before the night was through.

Something in your eyes was so inviting,
Something in you smile was so exciting,
Something in my heart,
Told me I must have you.

Strangers in the night, two lonely people
we were strangers in the night
up to the moment
when we said our first hello

Ignoti inter se tacitam aspiciunt per noctem
nocte rogant utrum possit Amor mutuus
conciliare prius quam Aurora cucurrerit altum
ad caelum; Nox et fugerit astra trahens.

Risu motus eram*; pulchrisque allectus ocellis
iusserit ut mihi cor te tenuisse meam .
Nocte salutemus dum inter nos usque manemus#
Ignoti; soli nocte manemus ea.
___________________
*in Propertian usage pluperfect sts.=perfect.
#graphic present (for past)

They glance at each other, to each other unknown
during the still night. During the night
They wonder whether reciprocal Love
could unite them, before lady Dawn has sped
to lofty heaven in her chariot, and night
has fled, trailing stars.

I was moved by your smile
and attracted by your beautiful eyes
with this result:
My heart bade me to have you as my own.

During the night, we remain uknown
During that night, we remain alone
Right up until we exchange mutual greetings.

2008-07-20T23:28:00.003-04:00

Pergam Fortis Iter (elegiac couplet; rough)

Pergam fortis iter, ne tu, Timor ater, obesse
credas posse mihi; nam teget ipsa Fides.

I shall proceed bravely on my journey.
Don't you suppose, dark Fear,

that you can hinder me.

for my very faith protects me.

2008-07-20T14:08:00.004-04:00

Hesperias malam (elegiac couplet)

Hesperias malam quam litora Nova Britanna
oras visere si mecum aderit lepida!

I'll prefer western climes to New England's beaches
If only my charming girl will be with me!

2008-07-20T14:05:00.004-04:00

Litora sola (elegiac couplet)

litora sola, sciam mea si bene velle puella
intrepidus lunae visere non metuam.

If I knew she liked me, I'd boldly go
to the solitary shores of the moon!

2008-07-14T18:17:00.003-04:00

Principiis inquit (elegiac couplet)

(1)
"Principiis" inquit "laetum decet esse" puella
Copia adest; aderat Copia Laetitiae!

"In beginnings you should be joyful" she said:
There is and has been an abundance of Joy!

(2)

Principio memorat laetum esse decere puella:
Copia adest; aderat Copia Laetitiae!

She reminds me of the fact that one ought to be happy in the beginning:
Of happiness there is, and has been an abundance!

2008-07-14T09:25:00.003-04:00

Scribant Apta Tvae (Elegiac Poem; first draft)

Scribant apta tuae magni sua verba poetae
formae; laudentur lumina pulchra tua
aptus erit pernix celebrari carmine motus
Saltas cum gracili, pube vidente, pede.
Certe ad cantandos nata est Elegia capillos
fulvos et pedibus labra canenda suis.

Let the great poets write their words, so as to be fitting to your beauty.
Let your fair eyes be praised; your nimble movement will be suitable
for celebration in song, whenever you dance with graceful step,
as the young men look on.
Certainly Elegy was created for singing of your chestnut hair
and for singing of your lips, all in its measures.

2008-07-13T11:14:00.004-04:00

Pacificas remigrat (Elegiac Couplet)

Pacificas remigrat fugiens mare Atlanticum ad oras

iam mea vita; canendi manet altus Amor!

My dear, fleeing the Atlantic, now returns to Pacific shores

Yet the lofty desire for singing of her remains.

2008-07-12T18:00:00.003-04:00

Celsa Puella Volat (Elegiac Couplet)

celsa puella volat per nubila; abesse putetur

ne mea Musa tamen, neve perisse Elegi!

My girl flies through the lofty clouds. For all that

let it not be supposed that my source of inspiration is absent,

nor that my Elegies have perished!

2008-07-07T10:01:00.003-04:00

Iam Natalis Adest (Elegiac Couplet)

iam natalis adest patriae; candentia signa

risus ut illius gaudia clara ferunt!

Now the birthday of our country has arrived

The dazzling displays, like her smile,

bring bright joys!

2008-06-30T02:57:00.002-04:00

Non ubi sim novi (elegiac couplet)

Non ubi sim novi; totum cor gestit ob illam

tintinnantque aures; sudor adest gelidus!

I don't know where I am; my entire heart leaps
because of her; and my ears ring; the chill sweat appears!

2008-06-30T02:18:00.003-04:00

Laetitiae Florent (elegiac couplet)

Laetitiae florent! rosae velut imbre iuvante;
praesens Musa beat; flos redit ipse lyrae!

Joys are flowering, like roses, with rain's help

My Muse, when present, gladdens me;

& the very flower of my lyre returns!

2008-06-27T12:24:00.004-04:00

Ingreditur crocea (elegiac couplet)

(1)
Ingreditur crocea mea candens veste puella
conspicua ut caelis stella micans placidis !

There! She enters, dazzling in a saffron yellow gown
Striking, like a star glittering in the tranquil heavens.

(2)
Ingreditur crocea mea candens veste puella
conspicuum ut sidus nocte micans placida!

Look! My girl enters brilliant in her golden dress
remarkable, like a star glittering in the tranquil night.

2008-06-25T12:18:00.001-04:00

Serta dabo pulchrae (elegiac couplet)

serta dabo pulchrae necnon mea carmina verbis
si potero, pulchris; grata utinam tibi sint!

I shall give garlands to you, beautiful one,
and songs in beautiful words, if I can.
May they be pleasing to you!

2008-06-24T22:38:00.003-04:00

Quid pudeat nudam (elegiac couplet)

Quid pudeat nudam monstrare, puella, figuram

laudandam speciem si tribuunt Veneres?

Why should it be a source of shame

to show your figure nude

if the Graces fair assigned to you

a body to be praised?

2008-06-23T12:10:00.003-04:00

Urbe Salis Remanet (elegiac couplet)

urbe salis remanet veniat dum raeda puella

longa volans alte, terram aditura otii!

She waits in the Salt City

until the long carriage,

flying high, should arrive,
fixing to go to the land of leisure!

2008-06-22T19:14:00.003-04:00

Dicere non formae (elegiac couplet)

Dicere non formae quis sit pars pulchrior ausim

O, mea vita, tuae: tota figura placet!

I'd not venture to say what part of your form

is the more beautiful, my dear:

For your figure, every part of it, pleases!

2008-06-19T12:34:00.002-04:00

Externo non est (elegiac couplet, draft)

externo non est usus medicamine, bella,
cum niteant nudae membra venusta tibi!

There is no need for external cosmetics, pretty girl,
since your charming figure is beautiful when you are bare.

2008-06-16T13:38:00.003-04:00

Non Mors Obveniet (elegiac couplet; draft)

non mors obveniet nobis; redimicula taetri
franget dura metus omnia magnus Amor!

Death will not come upon us as an obstacle;
all the hard bonds of baleful fear, great Love
will break to pieces.

2008-06-16T13:01:00.002-04:00

Urbe abeo celebri (elegiac couplet)

urbe abeo celebri, mea quando est rure puella
Pax ibi de pinis lenta cadit nitidis.

I leave the crowded city, whenever my girl is in the country
There the peace slowly drops from the luxuriant pines.

2008-06-16T00:40:00.006-04:00

Saevus Venit Amor (elegiac couplet)

Saevus venit Amor princeps; Elegia secuta est
dein Nox Insomnis, plenaque charta precum.

Firs savage desire came; Lady Elegy followed him,
then Sleepless Night, and the page filled with prayers.

2008-06-15T19:19:00.004-04:00

Purpurea indutam (elegiac couplet)

Purpurea indutam repetit suspiria pubes
te mirans, forma flagrat et illa tua!

The young men, marvelling at you in purple dress

try to catch their breath, and by your beauty

are set ablaze.

2008-06-09T12:11:00.003-04:00

Carmina donorum (elegiac couplet)

Carmina donorum vice quis, mea Musa, ferentem
laudes ne dicat me tacuisse tuas!

Translation (iambic pentameter)

Gifts for song in off'ring made, my Muse,
that I denied your praise let no one claim!

2008-06-07T16:23:00.002-04:00

Purpuream Munda (elegiac couplet)

purpuream munda croceamve puella vel albam

vestem si inducat, pulchra sit illa tamen.

No matter if she, elegant as she is, should wear
a purple, or saffron-yellow, or white dress
she would be pretty still.

2008-06-06T14:13:00.003-04:00

Fulva non dignar (elegiac couplet)

Fulva non dignar tibi versus scribere harena
dissolvant memores ne vada saeva tui!

Translation (iambic pentameter, draft.)

I will not deign to scratch on yellow sand
nor give my couplets to the fickle strand
lest of our young romance th' inscribed lays
the savage main dissolve and wash away.

2008-05-31T02:47:00.006-04:00

Inspired by "Sweet Child of Mine" (Guns 'n' Roses)

candeat ut caelum, disectis nubibus, altum

caeruleasque vides, sole nitente, plagas?

sub caelis iuvenes - reminiscere! - adire serenis

nos placuit celebri prata remota foro!

Do you see how the deep sky gleams, now that the clouds have dispersed

and its blue tracts, the sun glittering?

Under clear skies it pleased us to go (bring it to mind!) to meadow

remote from the crowded city center!

2008-05-29T10:15:00.003-04:00

Elegiac Couplet

Sapphica tum malam componere carmina quando
Ibis Pacificas, ad Zephyri latebras!

Then shall I prefer to compose Sapphic song, then

When you'll come to the Pacific haunts of Zephyr's blasts!

2008-05-28T01:18:00.004-04:00

Elegiac Couplet

carmina pro pomis, pro sertis carmina donem;
risum si moveant, illa valere sciam!

Let me give songs instead of apples; instead of garlands, songs!

If they inspired a smile, then I'd know they are worthy!

2008-05-27T02:11:00.003-04:00

Inspired by Nelly Furtado's Promiscuous (First stanza of Chorus turned in Latin Alcaics):

Promiscuous girl

Wherever you are

I’m all alone

And it's you that I want

O, nota multis, tu mea sis volo,
absente solus te cupidus tui
praesentis oris candidique
corporis et nitidi capilli.

O, known by many, I want you to be mine,

whenvever you're absent, I'm alone,

longing for your lips, your brilliant body,

your elegant hair.

2008-05-25T22:51:00.005-04:00

Clari Renident (Alcaici)

Clari renident nubila candida

splendore solis, montium et aspera

luna refulgent, at puellae

labra nitent rubra sub lucerna

describat astrorum aethere in arduo
doctus meatus; sunt mihi savia
sublimiora atque apta carmini
ad celebrem et data signa mensam.

The clouds beam forth, white with the sun's splendor

the austere mountain heights glitter with the moon light

But her lips gleam red under the lamp flame.

Let the scientist describe the paths of the stars,

traced in high heaven; for me, kisses are

more sublime and apt for song,

and signals given at the crowded table.

2008-05-25T10:11:00.005-04:00

Alcaics - Rough Draft.

clari renident nubila candida

splendore solis montium et aspera

luna refulgent et puellae

labra nitent rubra sub lucerna.

the clouds beam forth, white with the sun's spendor.

the austere mountain heights glitter with the moon.

Her lips gleam red under the light of the flame.

2008-05-23T14:52:00.003-04:00

Another Sapphic

(7)

explicabis, bella, tuum ante doctos
(docta et ipsa) amplo ingenio laborem et
mox super salsum pelagus volabis
libera Atlantis.

You shall explain, pretty girl, before learned men
(you yourself are learned) your work of ample talent
and then, free,
you'll fly over the salty main
of Atlas.

2008-05-22T10:52:00.004-04:00

Another Sapphic Stanza

(6)

versantem cantare meis in urbe

ventosa Musis Capreisve pulchris

apricantem te libeat, profectamve

Indicum ad aestum.

Let this please you that, with my Muse,

I sing of you staying

In the windy city, or sunning

Yourself in beautiful Capri, or

On your way to the heat of India.

2008-05-21T12:46:00.006-04:00

Another Sapphic Stanza (2nd draft)

(4)

[...]
vidi ego pulchrum

(5)

somnium nocte in placida, poeta
ut movet plectrum citharam sonantem
Germanis dum ardore puella miro
saltat in aulis.

I had a beautiful dream during peaceful night
how a poet moved his pick, causing his lyre to resound
while with marvels passion the girl dances
in German courts.

2008-05-18T22:15:00.007-04:00

Some Sapphics

(1)

mirantur cuncti lepide canentem

feminam* voces resonante pulchras

silva, nec praedam meditatur ullam

impiger ursus.

(2)

urbem ad Angleorum adeas, puella,*

saltatum Hispano placitura motu

gyransque effuso gradiere rufo

splendida amictu

(3)

Pastor ut videt tonitru frementes

nubes, praesepis cupiunt adire

iam greges, aequor nitido refulget

fulmine virens.

__________________

*femina, puella replace name of dedicatee

2008-03-27T16:39:00.004-04:00

Venisti, Puer Arduus: "You've come, troublesome boy"

Venisti, puer arduus! insperatus ades; spes
quas reddis vanas tum mihi erant stabiles!
tum cum nullus amor, tum cum nulla puella
non aluit gemitus, neque elegos docuit!
immota ut ventis quae semper constitit ilex
alto in monte suo; sic mea vita fuit!
Toto ob te tremulus - heu, heu! - glukupikron amorem,
corpore sum tela et iam mihi corde nocent!
Insomnes noctes; tacitus per silvas error
risus, complexus; oscula nocte data
oscula sole negata, manendaque signa ad mensam
curis omnia sunt haec numeranda mihi.

You’ve come, harsh boy! You’re here, unexpected. Hopes
Which you now cause to be in vain, where then stable in my eyes.
Then when no love; then when no girlfriend
nourished laments, or taught me to write elegies.
Like a holm-oak, untouched by winds, which has always
stood firm on its mountain; such was my life!On your account, bittersweet boy, I’m trembling
in my entire frame, and your arrows have long since done their harm.
Sleepless nights, quiet wanderings through the wood
laughter, embraces; kisses given at night;
kisses denied during the day; foot signals which must be waited for at the table:
All of these are now to be counted as my concerns.

2008-03-26T00:48:00.007-04:00

2 couplets:

Insomnes noctes; tacitus per silvas error

risus, complexus; oscula nocte data

oscula sole negata, manendaque signa ad mensam

curis omnia sunt haec numeranda mihi

Translation:

Sleepless nights; wanderings in the woods,

smiles, embraces, kisses given at night,

kisses denied in the day; foot signals to be awaited:

all these are now to be numbered as my concerns.

2008-03-18T23:20:00.021-04:00

Elegiacs - Second Draft

Venisti, puer arduus! insperatus ades; spes

quas reddis vanas tum mihi erant stabiles!

tum cum nullus amor, tum cum nulla puella

non aluit gemitus, neque elegos docuit!

immota ut ventis quae semper constitit ilex

alto in monte suo; sic mea vita fuit!

Toto ob te tremulus - heu, heu! - glukupikron amorem,

corpore sum tela et iam mihi corde nocent!

Translation:

You've come, harsh boy! You're here, unexpected! Hopes

which you now cause to be for nought, then in my eyes used to be firm!

Then , when no love, then, when no girlfriend

nourished laments or taught me to write elegy!

Just as an oak which, umoved by winds, has always stood firm

on its mountain, such was my way of life!

But on account of you, bittersweet love, oh! alas!

my body trembles; and your weapons have by now wounded my heart!

2008-03-16T13:38:00.015-04:00

Beginning of an elegiac poem (Rough Draft):

O sperate, venis, pharetraque educere tela

Figere et in pectus, dulcis amor, ratus es!

Saepe, puer, me spernebas tibi vota ferentem

Quae fugere in ventos omnia cassa tuli!

Translation:

Once Hoped for, now you come, and from your quiver
have thought to draw you Arrow, and fix it in my heart.
You often looked down on me, Love,

though to you I intoned my vows , all of which

I suffered to flee to the winds, efforts wasted.

2007-06-16T15:06:00.001-04:00

And Finally...

Chris Berman
Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.)

Son of Brown, you began your career on this campus as the sports director for radio station WBRU. Since then you have become as familiar to American sports fans as any Hall-of-Famer. As one of our most respected sportscasters, you have reported play-by-play action for football, baseball, hockey and golf fans; called Cal Ripken’s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game; announced Super Bowls and World Series games, – including one interrupted by the 1989 San Francisco earthquake; and earned numerous awards for your enthusiasm and in-depth reporting.

Whether hosting SportsCenter, assuming the guise of the Swami to predict game results, or assigning amusing monikers to the likes of Jose “Can You See” Canseco and Wade “Cranberry” Boggs, you entertain and inform us with your knowledge and wit. For inviting us to share in your enjoyment of sports, we honor you by presenting you a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

Ab alma matre communi nostra educatus, primo apud stationem litteris WBRU designatam eras praeco ludorum primarius, voce tua transmissionum radiophonicarum ope longe dilata; sequenti tempore, ut illi quorum imagines in aula athletarum famosorum ponuntur, sic tu eis civibus qui ludis studeant pernotus factus es, ut inter spectatissimos lusuum praecones numereris. Quidque, ut accidit, in ludis diversis, velut ludo pede follique, basium quattuor pilaeque ludo, ludo denique pila minima fustique pronuntias, auribus ludis studiosorum arrectis. Inter ludos a te narratos, notissimi sunt et ille bis millesimus centesimus primus tricesimus basipilae ludus quem Calvinus Ripken iunior lusit nullo intermisso otio, et illa ista basipilae pediludiique semel in anno certata certamina apud quae victores summam adipiscuntur laudem. Quorum certaminum illa narrasti anno millesimo nongentesimo octogesimo nono Sancti Fransisci certata quae motus terrarum interruperunt. Omnia ob haec studiumque ludis omnimodis tuum, multis praemiis affectus es.

Nos non tantum doces ut certaminibus athleticis eruditus, sed etiam oblectas sale facetiisque tuis, sive sub vatis persona quid in ludis futurum sit praedicas, seu iucundis nominibus athletas quosdam vocas, ut Wade “Vade Mecum” Boggs, vel Josephus “Non Ineptus” Canseco. Quia nos participes facis tuae ludorum oblectationis, te afficimus nomine Doctoris in Litteris Humanioribus, honoris causa.

2007-06-16T15:04:00.001-04:00

Second of three Latin Citations I composed

Kate Burton
Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.)

Distinguished thespian, you came to Brown to pursue a career as a diplomat, but succumbed to the lure of theater and Production Workshop. You have graced the Broadway stage and large and small screens, portraying women in roles that have inspired us and earned accolades for you. Your simultaneous Tony Award nominations for your work in Hedda Gabler and The Elephant Man earned you a place in theater history as just one of three actors who have earned two nominations in one season. Your Emmy-nominated performance as a career-driven surgeon afflicted by Alzheimer’s in Grey’s Anatomy was an acknowledged tour de force.

One of your greatest supporting roles has been the one you have played at this University. As a member of the Creative Arts Council Advisory Board, you have mentored students and supported theater and the arts at Brown. For your brilliant achievements and your many contributions that have enriched our lives, we honor you as a Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa.

Apud universitatem Brunensem quamquam eo studebas proposito ut rei publicae legata fieres, diversis tamen scaenicis artibus quasi allecta es ut feminarum personas, quae nobis moveant animos, tibi laudes conferant, in scaena, in theatro cinematographico, in televisionibus tractes. Non solum palma “Emmy” sed etiam bis in uno anno palma quam “Tony” nuncupant dignata es affici; hac ob partes quas egisti in utraque fabula, et Hedda Gabler et Vir Elephanticus, illa quia personam Ellis Grey, medicam chirurgiae studentissimam sed dementia quadam afflictam, praeclare tractavisti.

Ut in scaena, sic apud hanc universitatem partes, etsi secundas, tamen maximi momenti agis. Nam inter eos qui consilio musis variis provehendis dedito consulunt numerata es, ut discipulos adiuves consilio atque opera tua artemque scaenicam inter alias tuearis. Pro praeclaris factis atque multis beneficiis tuis te nomine doctoris in artibus elegantibus affficimus honoris causa.

Auctoritate mihi commissa te ad gradum in Artibus Elegantibus Doctoris admitto, omniaque jura atque privilegia ad hunc gradum pertinentia concedo. In huius testimonium hoc diploma tibi feliciter trado.

2007-05-10T18:21:00.000-04:00

One of the three Latin Citations I did for honorary degree recipients at this year's commencement.

Craig C. Mello (1982)

Trailblazing researcher and Nobel Prize laureate, you believed science can change the world – and your study of a tiny worm proved you right. In showing that RNA plays a key role in gene regulation, you have revolutionized the way biologists think about the functioning of cells, creating astounding possibilities for understanding and manipulating the cellular basis of human disease. Your work affirms the importance of basic research, and your discovery is unfolding in new directions that may translate into innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for human disorders, from AIDS and cancer to diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.

You have spent your life searching for answers, and now your discoveries have profound scientific and medical implications. We are inspired by your passion for discovery and innovation. You have brought honor to Brown, and we salute you as Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

Veri investigans per vias novas donatusque proximo anno praemio Nobel, nobis ostendisti scientiam in melius omnia reformare posse propter ea quae de illo animali minusculo, vermi dicimus, invenisti. Illam enim quasi corporis humani materiae opificinam, quam docti nomine “RNA” designant, partes primas habere in moderando genitalia corpora patefecisti, cuius inventi causâ disciplinae biologicae studiosi melius de operationibus corporum vitalium minimorum intellegunt, causasque morborum humanorum nunc—mirabile dictu!—percipere atque etiam mutare possunt. Tuarum investigationum gratiâ nos quidem recordamur quantum illa fundamenta scientiae, hoc est veri quaerendi ratio, valeant, illi autem studiosi reperiunt vias et cognoscendi et medendi multis aegrotationibus ut carcinomatibus mortiferis, eis morbis quae facultatem corporum movendorum adimunt, quaeque immunitatem naturalem morborum nobis eripit.

Aetatem tuam in indagandis rebus a natura occultatis consumpsisti, quae in lucem a te prolatae ad disciplinas et scientiam et medicam provehendas maximi sunt momenti. Olim apud hanc universitatem studens, eam nunc ut illustris medicus summâ afficis laude, quam ob rem te, veri investigandi omniaque in melius referendi studio permoti tuo, agnoscimus doctorem Scientiae, honoris causa.

Tracking down the truth along new paths, granted a Nobel Prize last year, you have shown us that science can change everything for the better, thanks to what you discovered about that paltry animal—the worm. For you revealed that the factory, as it were, of the raw stuff of our human body, which learned people designate with the term “RNA” has a primary role in regulating genes. Due to this discovery, biologists better understand the workings of cells, and—wonderful to tell!—can perceive and even manipulate the causes of human disease. Because of your research, we for our part call to mind how important those foundations of knowledge are—that is, the methods of research, while scientists for their part are trying to discover ways of diagnosing and healing many diseases, for example deadly cancers, diseases which remove our capability of movement, and that which takes from us our natural immunity to diseases.

You have taken up your life in ascertaining things which are hidden by nature, things which , brought to light by you, are of greatest importance in advancing the fields of medicine and science. Once a student at this university, you now bestow it with great honor, on account of which we, moved by your zeal for investigating the truth and making all things better, recognize you as a Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

2007-02-05T23:54:00.000-05:00

Elegiac Poem on the Subject of Global Warming: Work-in-Progress.

Fragment 1:

quot iaciat fumos quantos ferat aethera ad altum
longum iter ecficiens navis onusta bonis?

TRANSLATION

Are we unaware of how many different vapors and how thick
a ship burdened with expensive goods
casts to the high heavens, as it completes its long journey?

Fragment 2:

Dulcia carpebant omnia quaeque suis
Temporibus; nec iam didicit mare ducere salsum
Silvosas suboles in sua freta rates.

TRANSLATION

They would pick all the sweet fruits
In their seasons, nor had the salty main
yet learned to draw the woodsy offspring,
ships, onto its straits.

2007-01-28T23:18:00.000-05:00

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.

2007-01-22T03:12:00.000-05:00

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.

2007-01-22T02:44:00.000-05:00

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.