Monday, February 20, 2012

Nequeo Compescere Multos

Here is today's emblem and distich by Gabriel Rollenhagen, Book 1.51, with an English rendering by George Wither. Although Rollenhagen does not mention the owl in his poem, Wither explains the owl's situation in his lines:
When I observe the Melanchollie Owles,
Considering with what patience, they sustaine
The many clamours, of the greater Fowles;
And, how the little Chirpers, they disdaine:
When I remember, how, their Injuries
They sleight, (who, causeles give them an offence)
Vouchsafing, scarce to cast aside their eyes
To looke upon that foolish Insolence.
You can see the long-suffering owl there in the emblem! I think we all know how that feels. :-)

Nequeo Compescere Multos
Perfero; quid faciam? Nequeo compescere multos;
Si vis cedendo vincere, disce pati.


We best shall quiet clamorous Thronges
When, we our selves, can rule our Tongues.



Here is the vocabulary:

nequeo - cannot, be unable
compesco - restrain, check, curb
multus - much, many
perfero - bear, endure, suffer
quid - what
facio - do, make
si - if
volo - wish, will, want
cedo - yield
vinco - win, defeat
disco - learn
patior - suffer, experience