I came across this fragment of a poem by Andrew Marvell. A translation would be welcome

Upon an Eunuch; a Poet. Fragment.

Nec sterilem te crede; Licet, mulieribus exul,

Falcem virginiae nequeas immitere messi,

Et nostro peccare modo. Tibi Fama perenne

Praegnabit; rapiesque novem de monse Sorores;

Et pariet modulos Echo repetita Nepotes.

I received the following e-mail in reply to my posting. Since the chap who wrote it did NOT also post his reply here on the message board, I assume he wants to remain anonymous. I will respect that desire.

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Hi Andrew, it has been more difficult of what I belived. First, 'cause I studied latin too many years ago; second 'cause this is not the vernacular of the Augustus period (First century before and after Christ), the one that usually is teached.

I think this has been written on the late medieval (V-VIII century after Christ), because the verb is never at the end of the period as it is in the old latin, this is a modern one, can you confirm this? Do you know where an when was it written?

So I'm not sure that the translation is exact, some words could have a different correspondence; especially the second string is obsucure as so as I translate it, but it's the best I was able to do:

Not even barren he trusts you; Although, exile wife,

Sickle of young woman cannot urinate on crop,

And even sin in our way. Your everlasting fame

To be pregnant; drag off an of nine months sister;

and give birth of little measure like Echo repeat daughters.

I hope that you find someone else better then me.

Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)

One of my favorites by a contemporary of Marvell. Can anyone guess to what he is referring?

THE VINE

by Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

I dreamed this mortal part of mine

Was metamorphosed to a vine;

Which crawling one and every way,

Enthralled my dainty Lucia.

Me thought, her long small legs and thighs

I with my tendrils did surprise;

Her belly, buttocks, and her waist

By my soft nervelets were embraced:

About her head I writhing hung,

And with rich clusters (hid among

The leaves) her temples I behung:

So that my Lucia seemed to me

Young Bacchus ravished by his tree.

My curls about her neck did crawl,

And arms and hands they did enthrall;

So that she could not freely stir,

(All parts there made one prisoner.)

But when I crept with leaves to hide

Those parts, which maids keep unespied,

Such fleeting pleasures there I took,

That with the fancy I awoke;

And found (Ah me!) this flesh of mine

More like a stock, than like a vine

Translation by A.B.Grosart:-

"Deem not that thou art barren, though, forlorn,

Though plunge no sickle in the virgin corn,

And, mateless, hast no part in our sweet curse.

Fame shall be ever pregnant by thy verse;

The vocal Sisters nine thou shalt embrace,

And Echo nurse thy words, a tuneful race."

PUEROS

OOPS!

Corrected t

pueros wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2002 3:07 am ranslation by A.B.Grosart:-

"Deem not that thou art barren, though, forlorn,

Thou plunge no sickle in the virgin corn,

And, mateless, hast no part in our sweet curse.

Fame shall be ever pregnant by thy verse;

The vocal Sisters nine thou shalt embrace,

And Echo nurse thy words, a tuneful race."

I translate both Latin and ancient Greek regularly but could not have done better than Mr.Grosart's lyrical version!

PUEROS

pueros wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2002 3:51 am I translate both Latin and ancient Greek regularly but could not have done better than Mr.Grosart's lyrical version!

PUEROS

Indeed, and thank you for your time and effort. Much appreciated.

There is an ancient roman saying that reads: "freedom is a full scrotum". I think it is pretty clear what that ment...

I am glad to know that there are readers of poetry on the Archives. I am not very strong with Latin, or Greek. I have some knowledge of Hebrew. I enjoy all reading, but poetry is a close love of mine.

The wind blows through the years. It washes away the sadness, and tears. My heart beats strongly against the din. Alas it beats even against the wind. Love the world needs more of that I am sure. Love not hate with all to cure.