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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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