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.

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.

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.

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.

Spring Song in Latin Elegiacs: "de Veris Reditu"

vere ego surgentes admirans gramine flores
et mihi cantantes dulcia carmina aves
dimitto officia et malo his ludere nugis
legere quam chartam , terse Tibulle, tuam.

TRANSLATION

in admiring the flowers, as they rise up with spring
and the birds singing sweet songs to me
duties I forgo, And I prefer to play with
these trivial verses, rather than read your learned page, concise Tibullus.

For the men's blue bathroom in the MacFarlane house, to replace a sign that says not to open the window:

ventis quae obfueram minitante fenestra procella,
ne, cave, sedator, me miseram reseras!
non defendo infensa patens, (patiens ego multa)
doctorum custos caeruleae foricae!

Translation:

Please! don't unbar me, a window, who's gotten in the way of winds whene'er a storm threatened! Much suffering, I can't ward off the insuferrable from you when I'm open, I
guard of the blue bathroom of Ph. D.'s.

For a friend returning from vacation in Indiana (and getting through war and peace was on the vacation agenda)


Carmen Adventicium amicae suae ab terra Indiana Providentiam reversae

visente Indorum te rura, me(a) _ ^^ _ _*
(bellaque, tu, paces O reditura, leges!)
te apricante procul maribus positis ambobus
litoribus, nante et gurgite dulce lacus
urbe morans quid ego, fortasse roges, navarim?
haec, tacitis aliis, carmina pro reditu.
______
*name has been omitted to preserve addressee's privacy.


Translation:

While you visited the land of Indians, O _____,*
(and do read there of wars and peace-treaties!)
While you sunned yourself on shores set far from both oceans,
and swam in the sweet waters of the lake,
Perhaps you will ask what I accomplished, tarrying here in the city
while you did these things?
This song on the occasion of your return (I pass over the rest in silence).

Tangerine in Latin Sapphics: The lyrics of the popular jazz standard turned into Latin Sapphics.


"tangerine, she is all they claim/with her eyes of night/and lips as bright as flame."

MY VERSION:

omnibus praestans mea Tingitana
feminis forma, placitisque labris
enitens rubris, oculos et audax
nocticolores.

PROSE TRANSLATION:

My Tangerine, excelling all women in beauty, with flashing red lips, boldy glancing with night-hued eyes.