Migne Reading Room
PL 7 · cols. 289–298
Caelius Symphosius, Aenigmata
Editors' preface
COELII SYMPHOSII AENIGMATA.
THE RIDDLES OF CAELIUS SYMPHOSIUS.
Haec quoque Symphosius de carmine lusit inepto; Sic tu, Sexte, doces, sic te deliro magistro. Annua Saturni dum tempora festa redirent, Perpetuo semper nobis solemnia ludo, Post epulas laetas, post pocula dulcia mensae Deliras inter vetulas puerosque loquaces, Cum streperet late madidae facundia linguae: Tum verbosa cohors studio sermonis inepti Nescio quas passim magno de nomine nugas Est meditata diu, sed frivola multa locuta. Nec mediocre fuit magni certaminis instar, Ponere diverse, vel solvere quaeque vicissim. Ast ego ne solus foede tacuisse viderer, Qui nihil attuleram mecum quod dicere possem, Hos versus feci subito de carmine vocis. Insanos inter sanum non esse necesse est. Da veniam, lector, si non sapit ebria Musa.
These things too Symphosius played at in foolish verse; so you teach, Sextus, so I rave with you as master. When the yearly festal days of Saturn came round again, solemnities ever kept by us in perpetual play, after the joyful feasts, after the sweet cups of the table, among raving old women and talkative boys, while the eloquence of a drunken tongue was making a din far and wide: then the wordy throng, in its zeal for foolish talk, long pondered I know not what trifles here and there under a great name, but uttered many frivolous things. Nor was it a small semblance of a great contest, to propose things in different ways or to solve each in turn. But I, lest I alone should seem to have kept shamefully silent, I who had brought nothing with me that I could say, made these verses on the spur of the moment, out of a song of the voice. Among the insane it is not necessary to be sane. Grant pardon, reader, if the drunken Muse has no sense.
1. Graphium sive stylus.
1. The graphium, or stylus.
De summo planus, sed non ego planus in imo, Versor utrinque manu, diversa et munera fungor; Altera pars revocat quicquid pars altera fecit.
Flat at the top, but I am not flat at the bottom; I am turned both ways by the hand, and I perform different offices; the one part undoes whatever the other part has done.
2. Arundo.
2. The reed.
Littora semper amo, ripis vicina profundis, Suave canens Musis; nigro perfusa colore, Nuntia sum linguae, digitis signata magistri.
I always love the shores, neighbour to deep banks, singing sweetly for the Muses; steeped in black colour, I am the messenger of the tongue, marked by the fingers of a master.
Editors' notes and page, col. 289
Footnotes
<!-- Printed under the heading VARIORUM NOTÆ, running across both columns; the notes are keyed by lemma (italic catchword), not by call letters. --> (lemma 1) ‹anchor: Cælii Symphosii (title)› · lemma note, title of the work (title set before this page's text) Cælii Symphosii. Primus, quod sciam, Christophorus Heumannus hos versus Lactantio tribuit, quorum quidem meminit S. Hieronymus. Hi prius editi fuerant sub nomine Cælii Firmiani Symposii Poetæ a Nicolao Caussino e Societ. Jesu, atque adjecti Hieroglyphicis Hori Apollinis. Jam ab anno 1533, publici juris fecerat hæc ænigmata sub nomine Symphosii poetæ Joachimus Perionius. Alii vero non Symphosium, sed Symposium vocarunt. Ansam vero arripuit haud dubie Heumannus Lactantio tribuendi hæc ænigmata, quod in quibusdam editionibus Cælii Firmiani titulum præferant; et nomen Poetæ qui Symposius dicebatur putavit Symposium, id est, convivium inscribendum esse. Sic etiam recentiores quidam ediderunt Sermones convivales. Attamen eruditi omnes, ac præsertim Joan. Albert. Fabricius, non descenderunt in Heumanni sententiam.
Of Caelius Symphosius. The first, so far as I know, to ascribe these verses to Lactantius was Christoph Heumann; St Jerome does indeed mention [verses of Lactantius]. They had been published earlier under the name of Caelius Firmianus Symposius, Poet, by Nicolas Caussin of the Society of Jesus, and appended to the Hieroglyphics of Horus Apollo. Already from the year 1533 Joachim Périon had made these riddles public under the name of Symphosius the poet. Others, however, called him not Symphosius but Symposius. Heumann no doubt seized his handle for ascribing these riddles to Lactantius from the fact that some editions bear the title of Caelius Firmianus; and he thought that the name of the poet who was called Symposius should be written Symposium, that is, banquet. So too some more recent editors have published them as Table Talk. Yet all the learned, and especially Johann Albert Fabricius, have not come round to Heumann's opinion.
(lemma 2) ‹anchor: dulcia mensæ› · lemma note, verse 5 of the prologue in col 289 Dulcia mensæ. Hinc patet hos versus nihil aliud esse, quam sermones convivales; proindeque Symposium nomen esse operis, non poetæ.
Sweet [cups] of the table. Hence it is plain that these verses are nothing other than table talk; and therefore that Symposium is the name of the work, not of the poet.
(printed under page 144)
Page
- running head: ÆNIGMATA. (cut off at the image's right edge)
- marginal letters: A ‹Mitibus alloquiis agrestia›; B ‹Haec quoque Symphosius›; C ‹Ponere diverse, vel solvere›; D ‹Altera pars revocat›
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: verse numbers 105, 5, 10, 15 printed in the margin not set; verse lines of each poem joined into one paragraph; full-width title "COELII SYMPHOSII ÆNIGMATA" printed across the page between the Venantius lines and the preface poem, not set; the two "VARIORUM NOTAE" blocks at the page foot (beginning "commune. Legendum quoque est" and "Coelii Symphosii. Primus, quod sciam") left for the later pass; "solemnia" printed with broken n (solemuia), set solemnia; "Tum" printed with broken m (Tuin), set Tum; "vicissim" printed with broken m (vicissiin), set vicissim; "Arundo" printed with damaged r (Aiundo), set Arundo; "Muncre" may be worn type for Munere, UNSURE
- other: a full-width band stands across cols 289/290 in mid-page; the text above it in both columns belongs to the previous unit and is not set here (Q2); the band's title lines are set at the head of this part
- other: the column opens with the end of the previous work (another unit); not set here: the unit begins at Haec quoque Symphosius
3. Annulus cum gemma.
3. A ring with a gem.
Corporis extremi non magnum pondus adhaesi; Ingenitum dicas, ita pondere nemo gravatur: Una tamen facies, plures habitura figuras.
I, no great weight, have clung to the extremity of the body; you might call me inborn, so little is anyone burdened by my weight: yet I have one face, which will bear many figures.
4. Clavis.
4. The key.
Virtutes magnas de viribus affero parvis. Pando domos clausas: iterum sed claudo patentes; Servo domum domino: sed rursus servor ab ipso.
I bring great powers out of small strength. I open closed houses, but again I close open ones; I guard the house for its master, but in turn I am guarded by him.
5. Catena.
5. The chain.
Nexa ligor ferro, multos habitura ligatos. Vincior ipsa prius, sed vincio vincta vicissim. Et solvi multos, nec sum tamen ipsa soluta.
Linked together, I am bound with iron, destined to hold many bound. I am fettered first myself, but, once fettered, I fetter in my turn. And I have set many free, yet I myself am not set free.
6. Tegula.
6. The roof-tile.
Terra mihi corpus, vires mihi praestitit ignis: Alta domus quaero, sedes est semper in imo: Perfundor liquidis, sed me cito deserit humor.
Earth gave me my body, fire gave me my strength: I seek the heights of the house, yet my seat is always at the bottom: I am drenched with waters, but the moisture quickly leaves me.
7. Fumus.
7. Smoke.
Sunt mihi, sunt lacrymae, sed non est causa doloris. Est iter ad coelum, sed me gravis impedit aer; Et qui me genuit, sine me non nascitur ipse.
I have, I have tears, but there is no cause of grief. My way lies towards heaven, but the heavy air hinders me; and he who begot me is not himself born without me.
8. Nebula.
8. Mist.
Nox ego sum facie, sed non sum nigra colore; Inque diem mediam tenebras tamen affero mecum: Nec mihi dant stellae lucem, nec Cynthia lumen.
I am night in appearance, but I am not black in colour; and yet into the middle of the day I bring darkness with me: neither do the stars give me light, nor Cynthia her radiance.
9. Pluvia.
9. Rain.
Ex alto venio, longa delapsa ruina. De coelo cecidi medias transmissa per auras: Excepitque sinus, qui me simul ipse recepit.
I come from on high, having slipped down in a long fall. I have fallen from heaven, sent through the midst of the air: and a bosom received me, which itself at the same time took me in.
Editors' notes and page, col. 290
Page
- running head: ÆNIGMATA. 290
- marginal letters: A ‹Messis abundantis horrea›; B ‹3. Annulus cum gemma›; C ‹Et solvi multos / 6. Tegula›; D ‹9. Pluvia›
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: verse number 110 printed in the gutter beside "Altera de populo" not set; full-width heading VARIORUM NOTAE (twice) and the commentary beneath it (Romanorum Pontificum...; in quibusdam editionibus...) left for the apparatus pass; full-width title (CAELII) SYMPHOSII AENIGMATA across both columns not set; numeral of "3. Annulus cum gemma" looks like 5 in the image, set 3 (UNSURE); "neç Cynthia" shows a cedilla-like mark, set nec (damaged type?)
- other: the 1 paragraph(s) of this column above the full-width band (end of the previous work, Venantius vv. 106–110) belong to the previous unit and are not set in this unit (Q2)
10. Glacies.
10. Ice.
Unda fui quondam, quod me cito credo futuram: / Nunc rigidi coeli duris connexa catenis, / Nec calcata pati possum, nec nuda teneri.
I was once water, which I believe I shall soon be again: / now, bound by the stiff sky in hard chains, / I can neither bear to be trodden on nor be held in bare [hands].
11. Flumen et piscis.
11. The river and the fish.
Est domus in terris, clara quae voce resultat: / Ipsa domus resonat, tacitus sed non sonat hospes; / Ambo tamen currunt, hospes simul et domus una.
There is a house on earth which resounds with a clear voice: / the house itself resounds, but the silent guest makes no sound; / yet both run, the guest and the house together.
12. Nix.
12. Snow.
Pulvis aquae tenuis modico cum pondere lapsus, / Sole madens, aestate fluens, in frigore siccus, / Flumina facturus, totas prius occupo terras.
A dust of thin water, fallen with slight weight, / moist in the sun, flowing in summer, dry in the cold, / I who am to make rivers first take possession of whole lands.
13. Navis.
13. The ship.
Longa feror velox formosae filia silvae, / Innumera pariter comitum stipante caterva: / Curro vias multas, vestigia nulla relinquens.
Long and swift I am borne along, daughter of a beautiful forest, / with a countless band of companions thronging around me together: / I run many ways, leaving no footprints.
14. Pullus in ovo.
14. The chick in the egg.
Mira tibi referam nostrae primordia vitae. / Nondum natus eram, nec eram tum matris in alvo: / Jam posito partu, natum me nemo videbat.
I will tell you the wonderful beginnings of our life. / I was not yet born, nor was I then in my mother's womb: / when the birth had already been laid, no one saw me born.
15. Vipera.
15. The viper.
Non possum nasci, si non occidero matrem. / Occidi matrem: sed me manet exitus idem. / Id mea mors patitur, quod jam mea fecit origo.
I cannot be born unless I kill my mother. / I have killed my mother: but the same end awaits me. / My death suffers that which my origin has already done.
16. Tinea.
16. The bookworm.
Littera me pavit, nec quid sit littera novi. / In libris vixi, nec sum studiosior inde. / Exedi Musas, nec adhuc tamen ipsa profeci.
Letters have fed me, and I do not know what a letter is. / I have lived in books, and am not the more studious for it. / I have eaten up the Muses, and yet I myself have not yet made progress.
17. Aranea.
17. The spider.
Pallas me docuit texendi nosse laborem. / Nec pepli radios poscunt, nec licia telae. / Nulla mihi manus est, pedibus tamen omnia fiunt.
Pallas taught me to know the labour of weaving. / Neither do they call for shuttles for a robe, nor heddles for a web. / I have no hand, yet everything is done with my feet.
18. Cochlea.
18. The snail.
Porto domum mecum, semper migrare parata, / Mutatoque solo non sum miserabilis exsul, / Sed mihi consilium de coelo nascitur ipso.
I carry my house with me, always ready to move, / and when my ground is changed I am not a wretched exile, / but my counsel is born from the sky itself.
19. Rana.
19. The frog.
Rauca sonans ego sum media vocalis in unda; / Sed vox laude sonat, qua se quoque laudet et ipsa: / Cumque canam semper, nullus mea carmina laudat.
Sounding hoarsely, I am vocal in the midst of the water; / but my voice sounds with praise, so that it may also praise itself: / and though I am always singing, no one praises my songs.
20. Testudo.
20. The tortoise.
Tarda gradu lento, specioso praedita dorso, / Docta quidem studio, sed saevo perdita fato, / Viva nihil dixi, quae sic modo mortua canto.
Slow with lingering step, endowed with a handsome back, / learned indeed by study, but destroyed by cruel fate, / alive I said nothing, I who now, dead, sing thus.
21. Talpa.
21. The mole.
Caeca mihi facies atris obscura tenebris. / Nox est ipsa dies, nec sol mihi cernitur ullus. / Malo tegi terra: sic me quoque nemo videbit.
My face is blind, obscured by black darkness. / Day itself is night, and no sun is seen by me. / I prefer to be covered by earth: so no one will see me either.
22. Formica.
22. The ant.
Provida sum vitae, duro non pigra labori, / Ipsa ferens humeris securae praemia brumae: / Nec gero magna simul, sed congero multa vicissim.
I am provident for my life, not lazy at hard labour, / myself carrying on my shoulders the rewards of a carefree winter: / I do not carry great things at once, but I gather many in turn.
23. Musca.
23. The fly.
Improba sum, fateor; quid enim gula turpe veretur? / Frigora vitabam, quae nunc aestate revertor: / Sed cito summoveor falso conterrita vento.
Shameless I am, I confess; for what disgrace does gluttony fear? / I used to avoid the cold, I who now return in summer: / but I am quickly driven off, frightened by a false wind.
24. Curculio.
24. The weevil.
Non bonus agricolis, non frugibus utilis hospes: / Non magnus forma, non recto nomine dictus:
A guest not good to farmers, not useful to crops: / not great in form, not called by a right name:
Editors' notes and page, col. 291
Page
- running head: 291 ÆNIGMATA (right part cut off at the image edge)
- marginal letters: A ‹10. Glacies.›; B ‹Curro vias multas›; C ‹Nec pepli radios›; D ‹Caeca mihi facies›
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: verse lines of each riddle joined on one line with " / " marking the printed line breaks; riddle 24 continues in the next column; "madéns" in 12 appears as madens with a stray mark from heavy inking, set madens; right-hand column (292) visible cut off at the image edge, not set
Non gratus Cereri, non parvam sumo saginam.
not welcome to Ceres, I take no small fattening.
25. Mus.
25. Mouse.
Parva mihi domus est, sed janua semper aperta. Exiguo sumptu furtiva vivo sagina. Quod mihi nomen inest, Romae quoque consul habebat.
Small is my house, but its door is always open. At little cost I live on stolen fattening. The name that is mine, a consul at Rome also had.
26. Grus.
26. Crane.
Littera sum coeli pennas per scripta volantes, Bella cruenta gerens, volucris discrimina Martis; Nec vereor pugnas, dum non sit longior hostis.
I am a letter of the sky, written by flying feathers, waging bloody wars, the perils of winged Mars; nor do I fear battles, provided the enemy is not taller.
27. Cornix.
27. Crow.
Vivo novem vitas, si non me Graecia fallit; Atraque sum semper nullo compulsa dolore: Et non irascens ultro convicia dico.
I live nine lives, if Greece does not deceive me; and I am always black, though compelled by no grief: and without being angered I utter insults unprovoked.
28. Vespertilio.
28. Bat.
Nox mihi dat nomen primo de tempore noctis. Pluma mihi non est, cum sit mihi pinna volantis. Sed redeo in tenebris, nec me committo diebus.
Night gives me my name from the first time of night. I have no plumage, though I have the wing of a flier. But I come back in the darkness, and do not entrust myself to the days.
29. Ericius.
29. Hedgehog.
Plena domus spinis, parvi sed corporis hospes, Incolumi dorso telis confixus acutis. Sustinet armatas segetes habitator inermis.
A house full of thorns, but a guest of small body, pierced with sharp darts on an unharmed back. An unarmed dweller bears an armed harvest.
30. Pediculi.
30. Lice.
Est nova notarum cunctis captura ferarum, Ut, si quid capias, id tu tibi ferre recuses, Et, quod non capias, tecum tamen ipse reportes.
There is a new catching of beasts known to all, such that, if you catch anything, you refuse to carry it with you, and what you do not catch, you nevertheless carry back with you yourself.
31. Phoenix.
31. Phoenix.
Vita mihi mors est; morior, si coepero nasci: Sed prius est fatum leti, quam lucis origo. Sic solus Manes ipsos mihi dico parentes.
Life to me is death; I die if I begin to be born: but the doom of death comes before the beginning of light. Thus I alone call the very Shades my parents.
32. Taurus.
32. Bull.
Moechus eram regis, sed lignea membra sequebar; Et Cilicum mons sum, sed non sum nomine solo; Et vehor in coelis, et in ipsis ambulo terris.
I was the adulterer of a king, but I followed wooden limbs; and I am a mountain of the Cilicians, but I am not alone in the name; and I am carried in the heavens, and I walk on the lands themselves.
33. Lupus.
33. Wolf.
Dentibus insanis ego sum, qui vinco bidentes, Sanguineas quaerens praedas victusque cruentos Multa cum rabie: vocem quoque tollere possum.
I am he who with raging teeth overcomes the two-toothed sheep, seeking bloody prey and gory food with much fury: I can also take away the voice.
34. Vulpes.
34. Fox.
Exiguum corpus, sed cor mihi corpore majus. Sum versuta dolis, arguto callida sensu; Et fera sum sapiens, sapiens fera si qua vocatur.
A small body, but I have a heart greater than my body. I am crafty in wiles, cunning with keen sense; and I am a wise beast, if any beast is called wise.
35. Capra.
35. She-goat.
Alma Jovis nutrix, longo vestita capillo, Culmina difficili peragrans sed et ardua gressu, Custodi pecoris tremula respondeo lingua.
Kindly nurse of Jove, clothed with long hair, ranging over summits and steep places too with difficult step, I answer the keeper of the flock with trembling tongue.
36. Porcus.
36. Pig.
Setigerae matris foecunda natus in alvo, Desuper ex alto virides exspecto saginas, Nomine numen habens, si littera prima periret.
Born in the fruitful womb of a bristly mother, I await green fattening from above, out of the height, having a deity in my name, if the first letter were lost.
37. Mula.
37. She-mule.
Dissimilis patri, matri diversa figura, Confusi generis, generi non apta propago, Ex aliis nascor, nec quicquam nascitur ex me.
Unlike my father, of a shape different from my mother, of mixed kind, an offspring unfit for begetting, I am born of others, and nothing is born of me.
38. Tigris.
38. Tigress.
A fluvio dicor, fluvius vel dicitur ex me: Junctaque sum vento, vento velocior ipso, Et mihi dat ventus natos, non quaero maritum.
I am named from a river, or the river is named from me: and I am joined to the wind, swifter than the wind itself, and the wind gives me offspring; I seek no husband.
39. Centaurus.
39. Centaur.
Quattuor insignis pedibus, manibusque duabus,
Distinguished by four feet and two hands,
Editors' notes and page, col. 292
Page
- running head: ÆNIGMATA. 292
- marginal letters: A ‹Non gratus Cereri›; B ‹Pluma mihi non est›; C ‹Moechus eram regis›; D ‹36. Porcus.›
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: column opens with the last verse of riddle 24 begun in col. 291; line-ends of col. 291 visible at the left edge not set; caption 31 diphthong blurred (Phœnix/Phænix), set Phoenix, UNSURE; numerals 25 and 30 blurred in print, read as 25 and 30; Google digitization watermark at foot not set; each riddle's three verses set as one paragraph
- other: ligature doubt raised by the check (text not changed): Phoenix | Phaenix
Dissimilis mihi sum, quia sum non unus et unus; Et vehor et gradior, quia me duo corpora portant.
I am unlike myself, because I am not one and one; I both ride and walk, because two bodies carry me.
40. Papaver.
40. The Poppy.
Grande mihi caput est, intus sed membra minuta: Pes unus solus, sed pes longissimus unus: Et me somnus amat, proprio nec dormio somno.
Great is my head, but within are tiny limbs: one foot alone, but one very long foot: and sleep loves me, yet I do not sleep with a sleep of my own.
41. Malva.
41. The Mallow.
Anseris esse pedes similes mihi, nolo negare: Nec duo sunt tantum, sed plures ordine cernis; Et tamen hos ipsos omnes ego porto supinos.
I do not wish to deny that the feet of a goose are like me: nor are there only two, but you see more of them in a row; and yet I carry all these very ones turned upwards.
42. Beta.
42. The Beet.
Tota vocor graece, sed non sum tota latine; Ante tamen mediam cauponis scripta tabernam. In terris nascor, lympha lavor, ungor olivo.
In Greek I am called whole, but in Latin I am not whole; yet I am written before the middle of the innkeeper's tavern. I am born in the earth, I am washed with water, I am anointed with olive oil.
43. Cucurbita.
43. The Gourd.
Pendeo, dum nascor: rursus pendendo tumesco. Pendens commoveor ventis, et nutrior undis. Pendula si non sim, non sum jam jamque futura.
I hang while I am born: again, by hanging, I swell. Hanging, I am stirred by the winds and nourished by the waters. If I were not hanging, I should not be going to exist much longer.
44. Cepa.
44. The Onion.
Mordeo mordentes, ultro non mordeo quemquam; Sed sunt mordentem multi mordere parati: Nemo timet morsum, dentes quia non habeo ullos.
I bite those who bite; of my own accord I bite no one; but there are many ready to bite the one who bites: no one fears the bite, because I have no teeth at all.
45. Rosa.
45. The Rose.
Purpura sum terrae, pulchro perfusa colore, Septaque, ne violer, telis defendor acutis. O felix, longo si possem vivere fato!
I am the purple of the earth, suffused with a beautiful colour, and, fenced about lest I be violated, I am defended by sharp darts. O happy I, if I could live by a long fate!
46. Viola.
46. The Violet.
Magna quidem non sum, sed inest mihi maxima virtus. Spiritus est magnus, quamvis in corpore parvo. Nec mihi germen habet noxam, nec culpa ruborem.
Great indeed I am not, but there is in me a very great power. My spirit is great, although in a small body. Neither does my bud hold harm, nor does guilt cause my blush.
47. Thus.
47. Incense.
Dulcis odor nemoris flamma fumoque fatigor: Et placet hoc superis, medios quod mittor in ignes, Cum mihi peccandi meritum natura negarit.
The sweet odour of the grove, I am wearied by flame and smoke: and this pleases the gods above, that I am sent into the midst of the fires, though nature has denied me the desert of sinning.
48. Myrrha.
48. Myrrh.
De lacrymis et pro lacrymis mea coepit origo. Ex oculis fluxi, sed nunc ex arbore nascor, Laetus honos frondi, tristis sed imago doloris.
From tears and for tears my origin began. I flowed from eyes, but now I am born from a tree, a joyful honour to the foliage, but a sad image of grief.
49. Ebur.
49. Ivory.
Deus ego sum magnus, populis cognatus Eois. Nunc ego per patres in corpora multa recessi, Nec remanent vires, sed formae gratia mansit.
I am a great tooth, kin to the peoples of the East. Now, by parts, I have passed away into many bodies, and my strength does not remain, but the grace of my form has stayed.
50. Foenum.
50. Hay.
Herba fui quondam viridi de gramine terrae; Sed chalybis duro mollis praecisa metallo, Mole premor propria, tecto conclusa sub alto.
I was once herbage from the green grass of the earth; but, soft, cut down by the hard metal of steel, I am pressed by my own mass, shut in beneath a lofty roof.
51. Mola.
51. The Millstone.
Ambo sumus lapides, una sumus, ambo jacemus; Quam piger est unus, tantum non segnis it alter. Hic manet immotus, non desinit ille moveri.
We are both stones, we are together, we both lie; as sluggish as the one is, so unsluggish goes the other. This one remains unmoved; that one does not cease to be moved.
52. Farina.
52. Flour.
Inter saxa fui, quae me contrita premebant: Vix tamen effugi totis collisa medullis: Et nunc forma mihi minor est, sed copia major.
I was among stones, which pressed me, crushed: yet I scarcely escaped, bruised in all my marrow: and now my form is smaller, but my abundance greater.
53. Vitis.
53. The Vine.
Nolo thoro jungi, quamvis placet esse maritam. Nolo virum thalamo: per me mea nata propago est. Nolo sepulcra pati; scio me submergere terrae.
I do not wish to be joined to a marriage bed, although it pleases [me] to be wedded. I do not wish for a husband in the bridal chamber: through me my offspring is born. I do not wish to suffer graves; I know how to plunge myself into the earth.
Editors' notes and page, col. 293
Page
- running head: 293 ÆNIGMATA. (right-hand part of the head cut off at the image edge)
- marginal letters: A Dissimilis mihi sum; B 43. Cucurbita.; C Nec mihi germen habet noxam; D Herba fui quondam
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: column begins inside riddle 39 (its caption and opening are in the previous column); several letters damaged in the type and set as the intended words (ct'unus, velior, el, meinbra, Ilerba, Ilic); the right-hand column visible at the image edge belongs to column 294 and is not set; editors' matter: none.
54. Hamus.
54. The Fish-hook.
Exiguum corpus, flexu mucronis adunci Fallaces escas medio circumfero fluctu: Blandior, ut noceam; morti praemitto saginam.
A tiny body, with the curve of a hooked point, I carry deceitful food about in the midst of the wave: I flatter so that I may harm; I send fattening ahead of death.
55. Acus.
55. The Needle.
Longa, sed exilis, tenui producta metallo, Mollia duco levi comitantia vincula ferro: Et faciem laesis, et nexum reddo solutis.
Long, but slender, drawn out from thin metal, I lead soft bonds that accompany the light iron: and I restore their appearance to the damaged, and their joining to the loosened.
56. Caliga.
56. The Boot.
Major eram longe quondam, dum vita manebat: Sed nunc exanimis, lacerata, ligata, revulsa, Dedita sum terrae; tumulo sed condita non sum.
I was once far larger, while life remained: but now lifeless, torn, bound, pulled away, I am given over to the earth; yet I am not laid in a tomb.
57. Clavus caligaris.
57. The Hobnail.
In caput ingredior, qui de pede pendeo solo: Vertice tango solum: capitis vestigia signo: Sed multi comites casum patiuntur eumdem.
I walk upon my head, I who hang from the foot alone: with my crown I touch the ground: I mark the traces of my head: but many comrades suffer the same fall.
58. Capillus.
58. The Hair.
Findere me nulli possunt, praecidere multi. Sed sum versicolor, albus quandoque futurus. Malo manere niger: minus ultima fata verebor.
No one can split me, many can cut me off. But I am of changing colour, to be white some day. I prefer to stay black: I shall fear my last fate less.
59. Pila.
59. The Ball.
Non sum cincta comis, et non sum compta capillis; Intus enim crines mihi sunt, quos non videt ullus: Meque manus mittunt, manibusque remittor in auras.
I am not girt with tresses, and I am not adorned with hair; for I have hairs inside, which no one sees: and hands send me, and by hands I am sent back into the air.
60. Serra.
60. The Saw.
Dentibus innumeris toto sum corpore plena: Frondicomam sobolem morsu depascor acuto: Mando tamen frustra, quae respuo praemia dentis.
I am full of countless teeth over my whole body: I feed on the leafy-haired offspring with a sharp bite: yet I chew in vain, since I spit out the rewards of my tooth.
61. Pons.
61. The Bridge.
Stat nemus in lymphis, stat in alto gurgite silva, Et manet in mediis undis immobile robur. Terra tamen mittit, quod terrae munera praestat.
A grove stands in the waters, a wood stands in the deep flood, and in the midst of the waves immovable timber remains. Yet the earth sends forth what furnishes gifts to the earth.
62. Spongia.
62. The Sponge.
Ipsa gravis non sum, sed aquae mihi pondus inhaeret; Viscera tota tument patulis diffusa cavernis. Intus lympha l⟨a⟩tet, sed non se sponte refundit.
I myself am not heavy, but the weight of water clings to me; all my innards swell, spread out in open hollows. Within, the water lies hidden, but it does not pour itself out of its own accord.
63. Tridens.
63. The Trident.
Tres mihi sunt dentes: quos unus continet ordo: Unus praeterea deus est et solus in imo; Meque tenet numen, ventus timet, aequora curant.
I have three teeth, which a single row holds: besides, there is one god, and he alone in the depths; and a divinity holds me, the wind fears me, the seas care for me.
64. Sagitta.
64. The Arrow.
Septa gravi ferro, levibus circumdata pennis, Aera per medium volucri contendo meatu, Missaque discedens nullo mittente revertor.
Fenced with heavy iron, surrounded by light feathers, I speed through the midst of the air on a winged course, and, sent off and departing, I return with no one sending me.
65. Flagellum.
65. The Whip.
De pecudis dorso pecudes ego terreo cunctas, Obsequium reddens moderati lege doloris: Nec volo contemni, sed contra nolo nocere.
From the back of a beast I frighten all the beasts, rendering obedience by the law of moderated pain: I do not wish to be despised, but on the other hand I do not wish to harm.
66. Laterna.
66. The Lantern.
Cornibus apta cavis, tereti perlucida gyro, Lumen habens intus divini sideris instar, Noctibus in mediis faciem non perdo dierum.
Fitted with hollow horns, transparent in a smooth round circuit, having a light within like a divine star, in the middle of the nights I do not lose the face of the days.
67. Specular.
67. The Window-pane.
Perspicior penitus, nec luminis arceo visus, Transmittens oculos intra mea membra meantes: Nec me transit hiems, sed sol tamen emicat in me.
I am seen right through, and I do not keep off the sight of the eyes, letting through the eyes as they pass within my members: nor does winter pass through me, yet the sun shines out in me.
68. Speculum.
68. The Mirror.
Nulla mihi certa est, nulla est peregrina figura. Fulgor inest intus radianti luce coruscans,
No shape is fixed for me, no shape is foreign. A brightness is within, flashing with radiant light,
Editors' notes and page, col. 294
Page
- running head: ÆNIGMATA. 294
- marginal letters: A ‹54. Hamus.›; B ‹Sed multi comites casum›; C ‹Et manet in mediis undis›; D ‹De pecudis dorso pecudes›
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: line-ends of the left column (col. 293) visible at the image edge not set; caption 59 Pila overlaps images 1-2 and 64 Sagitta overlaps images 2-3, each set once; each riddle's three verse lines joined into one paragraph; 62 "latet" with the a damaged in the type; 62 "tument" looks like "tumeut" in the scan, set tument as unsure; 65 "cunctas" looks like "cnnctas" in the scan (damaged type or misprint), set cunctas as unsure; 66 "tereti" looks like "tercti" in the scan, set tereti as unsure; 67 punctuation after "meantes" damaged, set as colon, unsure; column ends mid-riddle 68 (Speculum), which continues in the next column
Qui nihil ostendit, nisi si quid viderit ante.
which shows nothing, unless it has first seen something.
69. Clepsydra.
69. Water-clock.
Lex bona dicendi, lex sum quoque dura tacendi. Jus avidae linguae, finis sine fine loquendi, Ipsa fluens, dum verba fluunt, ut lingua quiescat.
I am a good law of speaking, I am also a hard law of keeping silent. I am the right of the eager tongue, the end of speaking without end; I flow myself while the words flow, so that the tongue may rest.
70. Puteus.
70. Well.
Mersa procul terris in cespite lympha profundo, Nonnisi perfossis possum procedere venis, Et trahor ad superos alieno ducta labore.
Water sunk far within the earth in the deep sod, I can come forth only when the veins have been dug through, and I am drawn up to those above, brought out by another's labour.
71. Tubus.
71. Pipe.
Truncum terra tegit, latitant in cespite lymphae: Alveus est modicus, qui ripas non habet ullas. In ligno vehitur medio, quod ligna vehebat.
Earth covers a trunk, and waters lie hidden in the sod. It is a modest channel, which has no banks at all. In the middle of wood is carried that which used to carry wood.
72. Follis.
72. Bellows.
Non ego continuo morior, dum spiritus exit; Nam redit assidue, quamvis et saepe recedat. Et mihi nunc magna est animae, nunc nulla facultas.
I do not die at once when the breath goes out, for it constantly returns, although it also often withdraws. And now I have a great supply of breath, now none.
73. Lapis.
73. Stone.
Deucalionis ego crudeli sospes ab unda, Affinis terrae, sed longe durior illa. Littera decedat: volucris quoque nomen habebo.
I was kept safe from the cruel flood of Deucalion. I am akin to earth, but far harder than it. Let one letter go, and I shall have the name of a winged creature too.
74. Calx.
74. Lime.
Evasi flammas, ignis tormenta profugi. Ipsa medela meo pugnat contraria fato. Ardeo de lymphis; mediis incendor ab undis.
I have escaped the flames; I have fled the torments of fire. The very remedy fights against my fate. I burn from waters; I am set alight from the midst of the waves.
75. Silex.
75. Flint.
Semper inest in me, sed raro cernitur ignis. Intus enim latitat, sed solos prodit ad ictus; Nec lignis, ut vivat, eget, nec, ut occidat, undis.
Fire is always in me, but it is rarely seen. For it lies hidden within and comes forth only at blows. It needs neither wood in order to live nor waves in order to die.
76. Rotae.
76. Wheels.
Quattuor aequales currunt ex arte sorores, Sic quasi certantes, cum sit labor omnibus unus, Et prope sunt pariter, nec se contingero possunt.
Four equal sisters run by craft, as though competing, although all of them have one labour. They are all equally near, and yet they cannot touch one another.
77. Scalae.
77. Ladder.
Nos sumus, ad coelum quae tendimus alta petentes, Concordi fabrica quas unus continet ordo, Ut simul haerentes per nos scandatur ad auras.
We are those who stretch towards heaven, seeking the heights. One order holds us in a harmonious structure, so that, as we cling together, one may climb by us to the upper air.
78. Scopa.
78. Broom.
Mundi magna parens, laqueo connexa tenaci, Juncta solo plano manibus comprensa duabus, Ducor ubique sequens, et me quoque cuncta sequuntur.
I am the great parent of cleanness, bound with a tenacious cord. Joined to the level ground and grasped by two hands, I am led everywhere, following, and all things follow me too.
79. Tintinnabulum.
79. Bell.
Aere rigens curvo patulum componor in orbem. Mobilis est intus linguae crepitantis imago; Non resonat positus, motus quoque saepe resultat.
Stiff with curved bronze, I am formed into a wide circle. Within is the moving likeness of a clattering tongue. Set down, it does not resound; moved, it often rings out.
80. Conditus potus.
80. Spiced drink.
Tres olim fuimus, qui nomine jungimur uno. Ex tribus est unus, et tres miscentur in uno; Quisque bonus per se: melior, qui continet omnes.
Once we were three, who are now joined under one name. Out of three comes one, and three are mixed in one. Each is good by itself; better is the one that contains them all.
81. Vinum conversum in acetum.
81. Wine turned into vinegar.
Sublatum nihil est, nihil est extrinsecus auctum; Nec tamen invenio, quidquid prius ipse reliqui. Quod fuerat, non est: coepit, quod, non erat, esse.
Nothing has been taken away and nothing has been added from outside, and yet I do not find whatever I myself left before. What had been is not; what was not has begun to be.
82. Malum.
82. Apple.
Nomen habens graecum, contentio magna dearum, Fraus juvenis pulchri, multarum cura sororum, Excidium Trojae, dum bella cruenta peregi.
I have a Greek name. I was a great contest of goddesses, the deceit of a handsome youth, the care of many sisters, and the ruin of Troy, while I carried through bloody wars.
83. Perna.
83. Ham.
Nobile duco genus magni de gente Catonis.
I draw a noble lineage from the family of great Cato.
Editors' notes and page, col. 295
Page
- running head: 295 ÆNIGMATA.
- marginal letters: A ‹Qui nihil ostendit›; B ‹Nam redit assidue›; C ‹Quattuor aequales currunt›; D ‹80. Conditus potus›
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: column begins with the last line of riddle 68 (Speculum) and ends after the first line of riddle 83 (Perna); a stray mark after "venis," (riddle 70) and a stray bracket after "imago;" (riddle 79) are treated as type debris and not set; the dot before "82." is a stray mark; "Trojae" has damaged type (looks like "Troja:"); right-hand column (296) is cut off and not set; D is set level with roughly the caption 80 / "Tres olim fuimus" line, so its placement is approximate
Una mihi soror est, plures licet esse putentur. De fumo facies, sapientia de mare nata est.
I have one sister, although there are thought to be many. My face is from smoke, my wisdom is born from the sea.
84. Malleus.
84. The Hammer.
Non ego de toto mihi corpore vindico vires, Sed capitis pugna nulli certare recuso. Grande mihi caput est: totum quoque pondus in ipso.
I do not claim my strength from my whole body, but in a battle of the head I refuse to contend with no one. My head is large: my whole weight too is in it.
85. Pistillus.
85. The Pestle.
Contero cuncta simul virtutis robore magno. Una mihi cervix, capitum sed forma duorum. Pro pedibus caput est: nam caetera corporis absunt.
I crush all things together by the great strength of my power. I have one neck, but the form of two heads. In place of feet there is a head: for the rest of the body is absent.
86. Strigilis.
86. The Strigil.
Rubea, curva, capax, alienis humida guttis, Luminibus falsis auri mentita colorem, Dedita sudori, modico succumbo labori.
Ruddy, curved, capacious, moist with another's drops, having feigned the colour of gold with false gleams, given over to sweat, I give way under slight labour.
87. Balneum.
87. The Bath.
Per totas aedes innoxius introit ignis: Est calor in medio magnus quem nemo veretur. Non est nuda domus, sed nudus convenit hospes.
Through the whole house a harmless fire enters: there is a great heat in the middle which no one fears. The house is not naked, but the guest who comes is naked.
88. Tessera.
88. The Die.
Dedita sum semper voto, non certa futuri: Jactor in ancipites varia vertigine casus, Nunc ego moesta malis, nunc rebus laeta secundis.
I am ever devoted to a wish, not certain of the future: I am thrown with varied whirling into doubtful outcomes, now sad at misfortunes, now glad at prosperous things.
89. Pecunia.
89. Money.
Terra fui primo latebris abscondita terrae: Nunc aliud pretium flammae nomenque dederunt. Nec jam terra vocor, licet ex me terra paretur.
At first I was earth, hidden in the hiding-places of the earth: now flames have given me another value and a name. No longer am I called earth, although earth may be acquired with me.
90. Mulier geminos pariens.
90. A woman giving birth to twins.
Plus ego sustinui quam corpus debuit unum. Tres animas habui, quas omnes intus habebam: Discessere duae, sed tertia pene secuta est.
I bore more than one body ought to. I had three souls, all of which I had within: two departed, but the third almost followed.
91. Miles podagricus.
91. A gouty soldier.
Bellipotens olim, saevis metuendus in armis Quinque pedes habui, quos unquam nemo negavit; Nunc mihi vix duo sunt: inopem me copia fecit.
Once mighty in war, to be feared in cruel arms, I had five feet, which no one ever denied; now I have scarcely two: plenty has made me poor.
92. Luscus allium vendens.
92. A one-eyed man selling garlic.
Cernere jam fas est, quod vix tibi credere fas est. Unus inest oculus, capitum sed millia multa. Qui quod habet vendit, quod non habet, unde parabit!
Now it is permitted to see what you may scarcely be permitted to believe. There is one eye in him, but many thousands of heads. He who sells what he has, whence will he obtain what he does not have!
93. Funambulus.
93. The Rope-walker.
Inter luciferum coelum terrasque jacentes Aera per medium docta meat arte viator: Semita sed brevis est, pedibus nec sufficit ipsis.
Between the light-bearing sky and the lands lying below, a traveller passes through the midst of the air by skilled art: but the path is narrow, and does not suffice even for the feet.
94. Umbra.
94. The Shadow.
Insidias nullas vereor de fraude latenti, Nam Deus attribuit nobis haec munera formae, Ut nemo moveat, nisi qui prius ipse movetur.
I fear no ambush from hidden deceit, for God has granted us these gifts of form, that no one should move [me] except one who is first moved himself.
95. Echo.
95. Echo.
Virgo modesta nimis legem bene servo pudoris. Ore procax non sum, nec sum temeraria lingua; Ultro nolo loqui, sed do responsa loquenti.
A maiden exceedingly modest, I keep well the law of shame. I am not forward of mouth, nor am I rash of tongue; I am unwilling to speak first, but I give answers to one who speaks.
96. Somnus.
96. Sleep.
Sponte mea veniens varias ostendo figuras. Fingo metus vanos nullo discrimine vero. Sed me nemo videt, nisi qui sua lumina claudit.
Coming of my own accord, I show various figures. I fashion vain fears with no real danger. But no one sees me except one who closes his eyes.
97. Monumentum.
97. The Tomb.
Nomen habens hominis post ultima fata remansi: Nomen inane manet, sed dulcis vita profugit. Vita tamen superest morti post tempora vitae.
Bearing the name of a man, I have remained after his last fate: the empty name remains, but sweet life has fled. Yet life remains for death after the times of life.
Editors' notes and page, col. 296
Page
- running head: AENIGMATA. 296
- marginal letters: A ‹Una mihi soror est›; B ‹Per totas aedes›; C ‹91. Miles podagricus›; D ‹Ut nemo moveat›
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: column begins with the last two verses of a riddle whose caption stands in col. 295; each riddle's verse lines joined into one paragraph; "de mare" kept as printed (mari expected); last word of riddle 84 printed small and squeezed, read "ipso" (UNSURE); line-end fragments at the left edge belong to col. 295 and are not set; Google digitization watermark not set
98. Ancora.
98. Anchor.
Mucro mihi geminus ferro conjungitur unco.
A twin point is joined to me by hooked iron.
Cum vento luctor, cum gurgite pugno profundo;
I wrestle with the wind, I fight with the deep flood;
Scrutor aquas medias, ipsas quoque mordeo terras.
I search the midmost waters, and I bite the very earth as well.
99. Lagena.
99. Flask.
Mater erat tellus, genitor fuit ipse Prometheus,
The earth was my mother, my father was Prometheus himself,
Auriculaeque regunt redimitae ventre cavato. Dum cecidi infelix, mater mea me divisit.
and the wreathed little ears guide [it], its belly hollowed. When I fell, unhappy, my mother divided me.
100.
100.
Nunc mihi jam credas, fieri quod posse negatur. Octo tenes manibus, sed me monstrante magistro, Sublatis septem reliqui tibi sex remanebunt.
Now you may believe me that what is denied to be possible comes about. You hold eight in your hands, but with me showing you as master, when seven are taken away, six will remain left to you.
Editors' notes and page, col. 297
Footnotes
<!-- This page opens the editor's preface to the notes on De mortibus persecutorum (main-text type, with signature "PATROL. VII." and sheet number 10 at the foot); no footnotes are printed under it. --> (none) (printed under page 148)
Page
- running head: 297 STEPH. BALUZ. NOT. IN LIB. DE MORTIBU (cut off at the image edge)
- marginal letters: A 98. Ancora. (level with it, beside right-column "Auriculaeque"); B Inter multos ac varios codices manuscriptos, quos; C accederet Ecclesiae, si vulgaretur, quanquam antea; D (none)
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: a full-width band stands across cols 297/298 in mid-page: the 3 paragraph(s) above it in col 298 are set here, after the 6 above it in col 297 (reading order, moved on receipt); the band (rule, small ornament, STEPHANI BALUZII TUTELENSIS NOTAE IN LIBRUM DE MORTIBUS PERSECUTORUM) opens the next work and is not set in this unit; the VARIORUM NOTAE note "(1) Multis verbis de hoc aenigmate..." above the band is foot apparatus, left for the later pass (Q2)
- other: the column continues with Inter multos ac varios (another unit); not set here
Editors' notes and page, col. 298
Page
- running head: B. DE MORTIBUS PERSECUT. (cut off at left edge)
- marginal letters: A Auriculaeque regunt redimitae; B beret in medio atrocissimae; C tantii editionem Romanam emisit; D (none)
- old-edition numerals: (none)
- other: the 3 paragraph(s) of this column above the full-width band are set under col 297 (reading order, moved on receipt)
- other: the text of this column below the full-width band belongs to the next unit; not set here (rail-only part)