Monday, March 26, 2012

Adversis Clarius Ardet

Here is today's emblem and distich by Gabriel Rollenhagen, Book 1.85, with an English rendering by George Wither. I like the idea that we can get in touch with our personal "volcano energy," even when buffeted by hostile winds!

Adversis Clarius Ardet
Inconcussa manens, adversis clarius ardet,
Et duplicat vires ignibus Aetna novis.


The more contrary Windes doe blow
The greater Vertues praise will grow.


Here is the vocabulary:

adversus - opposite, opposed, hostile
clarus - clear, bright
ardeo - burn, blaze, glow
inconcussus - unshake
maneo - remain, abide
et - and
duplico - double, duplicate
vis - strength, force, power
ignis - fire
Aetna - Mount Aetna
novus - new