In Utrumque Paratus

Here is today's emblem and distich by Joachim Camerarius, 2:24.

In Utrumque Paratus
Ferre iugum, iugulumque dare, est bos aptus utrinque,
Sic pia turba facit, grata Deo referens.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

iugulum - throat, neck
ūtrimque - on both sides, from both parts

aptus -a -um: fit, suitable
bōs bovis m.: ox; gen. pl. boum
deus -ī m.; dea -ae f. god; goddess
dō dare dedī datum: give
faciō facere fēcī factum: do, make
ferō ferre tulī lātum: bear, carry
grātus -a -um: pleasant; grateful
in: in, on (+ abl.); into, onto (+ acc)
iugum -ī n.: yoke; ridge, chain of hills
parō -āre: prepare, acquire; parātus -a -um, ready
pius -a -um: dutiful, devoted, just, pious
que (enclitic) - and
referō -ferre -tulī -lātum: bring back; report
sīc: in this manner, thus; sīc . . . ut: in the same way as
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
turba -ae f.: crowd, uproar
uter- utra- utrumque: each of two

Illa Patria est Felix

Here is today's distich by Michele Verinus:

Illa Patria est Felix
Illa domus felix, ubi parvo assueta iuventus;
In festo coctum luxuriatur olus.

Here is the vocabulary:

ille - that, that one
patria - fatherland, country
sum - be, exist
felix - happy, fortunate, lucky
domus - house, home
ubi - where
parvus - small
assuetus - accustomed to
iuventus - youth
in - in, into
festum - holiday, festival, feast
coctus - cooked
luxurior - luxuriate, enjoy, revel
olus - vegetable, greens, herbs

(image source)

Adami Lapsus

Here is today's distich by John Owen, with an English translation by Thomas Harvey, 3.45.

Adami Lapsus
Theiologis animam subiecit lapsus Adami,
Et corpus medicis, et bona iuridicis.

ADAM’S FALL
Mens Bodies, Goods, and Souls, Adam’s foul fall
To Physick, Law, Divines did first inthrall.

Here is the vocabulary:

Adamus - Adam
lapsus - slip, fall
theilologus - theologian
anima - spiri
subiicio - subject, expose
et - and
corpus - body
medicus - doctor, physician
et - and
bonus - good
iuridicus - judge

(William Blake)

Hostem cum fugeret...

Here is today's distich by Martial, 2.80. It is not clear whether Martial is referring to an historical personage or not; if Fannius is historical, no specific testimony about him has survived.

Hostem cum fugeret, se Fannius ipse peremit;
Hic, rogo, non furor est, ne moriare, mori?

Himself he slew, when he the foe would fly:
What madness this, for fear of death to die!
- Hay

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

Fannius - proper name
perimo, -ere, perēmī, peremptum - kill, destroy

cum: with (prep. + abl.); when, since, although (conjunction + subj.)
fugio fugere fūgī fugitum: flee, escape
furor -ōris m.: rage, fury
hic, haec, hoc: this; hōc, on this account
hostis -is m./f.: stranger, enemy
ipse, ipsa, ipsum: him- her- itself
morior morī mortuus sum: die
nē: lest, that not
nōn: not
rogo -āre: ask
sui, sibi, sē: him- her- itself
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist

(Jacques Callot)

Cum soleant homini...

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491     -     492     -     493

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Here is today's Rhyming Distich, and here are some more posts with Rhyming Distichs. This one comes from the Florilegium Gottingense edited by Voigt.

Cum soleant homini feliciter omnia verti,
Maiori gravitate solent adversa reverti.


The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There is only one word in this poem that is not on the DCC list:

gravitas, gravitātis f. - weight, importance, oppressiveness

adversus -a -um: turned towards, facing, opposed; unfavorable
cum: with (prep. + abl.); when, since, although (conjunction + subj.)
fēlīx -īcis: lucky; adv. fēlīciter
homo hominis m.: human being
māior -ius: greater, older
omnis -e: all, every, as a whole
reverto -ere -vertī: turn back
soleo -ēre -uī -itum: be accustomed
verto vertere vertī versum: turn

(image source)

Commoda naturae...

Here is today's distich by Cato (so-called), 4.2, with English translations by Duff and Chase.

Commoda naturae nullo tibi tempore derunt,
Si contentus eo fueris quod postulat usus.

Nature her favors never will deny
If what thy needs require will satisfy.
(Chase)

Ne'er will you lack supplies from Nature's hands,
If you're content with that which need demands.
(Duff)

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There is only one word in this poem that is not on the DCC list:


commodus -a -um - suitable, proper, convenient

contineo -tinēre -tinuī -tentum: contain, restrain
dēsum -esse -fuī: be lacking
is ea, id: he, she, it; eō, there, to that place
nātūra -ae f.: nature
nūllus -a -um: not any, no one
pōstulo -āre: demand, require
qui, quae, quod: who, which, what; quis quid: who? what? which?
sī: if
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
tempus -oris n.: time
tū tuī tibi tē: you (sing.)
ūsus -ūs m.: use, experience

(image source)

Erit Altera Merces

Here is today's emblem and distich by Joachim Camerarius, 1:23. This two-fold branch consists of a palm for the victor, and a cupress branch in honor of the dead.

Erit Altera Merces
Vincere pro patria, vel pulchra occumbere morte
Fortis amat: ramus quod monet iste duplex.

Here is the vocabulary:

sum - be, exist
alter - other, another
merces - pay, salary, reward
vinco - win, be victorious
pro - on behalf of
patria - fatherland, home
vel - or
pulcher - beautiful
occumbo - meet with death, fall
mors - death
fortis - strong; strong man
amo - love
ramus - branch
qui - who, which, that
moneo - warn, advise
iste - that, that one
duplex - two-fold, double

In Virtute Et Fortuna

Here is today's emblem and distich by Gabriel Rollenhagen, Book 1.89, with an English rendering by George Wither. Here are the opening lines of Wither's poem:

When, in this Emblem here, observe you shall
An Eaglet, perched, on a Winged-ball
Advanced on an Altar; and, have ey'd
The Snakes, assayling him, on ev'ry side:
Me thinkes, by that, you straight should apprehend
Their state, whom Wealth, and Vertue, doe befriend.
My Iudgement, by that Altar-stone, conceives
The sollidnesse, which, true Religion gives;
And, that fast-grounded goodnesse, which, we see,
In grave, and sound Morality, to be.

The eagle, of course, is the proverbial enemy of snakes, the archetypal creature of the air opposed to the archetypal creatures of the earth.

In Virtute Et Fortuna
In Virtute meam Fortunam colloco; vincam
Hac ratione nigram fortiter invidiam.

He needs not feare, what spight can doe
Whom Vertue friends, and Fortune, too.

Here is the vocabulary:

in - in, into
virtus - excellence, virtue
et - and
fortuna - luck, fortune
meus - my, mine
colloco - position, arrange
vinco - win, conquer, be victorious
hic - this, this one
ratio - reason
niger - black, dark
fortiter - strongly
invidia - envy

Quomodo Dives Efficitur

Here is today's distich by Michele Verinus:

Quomodo Dives Efficitur
Vis fieri dives? Christi praecepta sequaris;
Diminuas animi grandia vota tui.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only three words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

Christus, m. - Christ
dīminuo -ere - break into small pieces, destroy
grandis, grande; grandis - great, large, grand

animus -ī m.: spirit, mind
dīves, dīvitis: rich (poet. dīs, dītis)
efficiō -ficere -fēcī -fectum: bring about, complete; render (+ ut + subj.)
fīō fierī factus sum: become
praeceptum -i n.: rule, precept; command
quōmodo: in what way, how?
sequor sequī secūtus sum: follow
tuus -a -um: your
volō velle voluī: wish, be willing
votum -ī n.: solemn promise, vow; hope

(Jesus, Mary and Martha)

Corpus Terrae

Here is today's distich by John Owen, with an English translation by Thomas Harvey, 6.44.

Corpus Terrae
Telluris lapides sunt ossa, metallaque nervi,
Pellis crusta, pili gramina, sanguis aqua.

EARTH’S BODY
Th’ Earth’s Bones are Stones, Skin Surface, Metalls Nerves.
The Grass for Hair, for Blood the Water serves.

Here is the vocabulary:

corpus - body
terra - land, earth
tellus - earth, ground
lapis - stone
sum - be, exist
os - bone
metallum - metal
que - and
nervus - sinew, muscle
pellis - skin
crusta - crust, hard surface
pilus - hair
gramen - grass
sanguis - blood
aqua - water

(image source)

Exigis ut nostros...

Here is today's distich by Martial, 7.77:

Exigis ut nostros donem tibi, Tucca, libellos;
Non faciam: nam vis vendere, non legere.

Tucca most earnestly doth look
I should present him with my book:
But that I will not; for I smell
My book he will not read, but sell.
- Anon.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

libellus, libellī m. - little book, pamphlet
Tucca - proper name

dōno -āre: present with a gift (+ acc. of person and abl. of thing)
exigo -ere -ēgī -āctum: drive out; collect
facio facere fēcī factum: do, make
lego legere lēgī lēctum: gather, choose, read
nam: for, indeed, really
nōn: not
noster nostra nostrum: our
tū tuī tibi tē: you (sing.)
ut, uti: as (+ indic.); so that, with the result that (+ subj.)
vēndo -dere -didī -ditum: sell
volo velle voluī: wish, be willing

(image source)

Vive Deo gratus...

Here is today's Rhyming Distich, and here are some more posts with Rhyming Distichs. I found this poem in the collection Philosophia Patrum edited by Julius Wegeler.

Vive Deo gratus, toti mundo tumulatus,
Pectore pacatus, semper transire paratus.


The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are two words which are not on the DCC list:

pāco, -āre - make peaceful, pacify, soothe
tumulo, āre - bury, entomb, inter

deus -ī m.; dea -ae f. god; goddess
grātus -a -um: pleasant; grateful
mundus -ī m.: world, universe, heavens
paro -āre: prepare, acquire; parātus -a -um, ready
pectus -oris n.: chest, breast
semper: always, ever
tōtus -a -um: whole, entire
trānseo -īre -iī -itum: go across
vīvo -ere vīxī victum: live

(Simeon Stylites)

Despice divitias...

Here is today's distich by Cato (so-called), 4.1, with English translations by Duff and Chase.

Despice divitias, si vis animo esse beatus;
Quas qui suspiciunt, mendicant semper avari.

Wouldst happy be, scorn wealth: Those always seem
To beg it greedily who wealth esteem.
(Chase)

Scorn wealth, if you would have a mind care-freed:
Its votaries are but beggars in their greed.
(Duff)

Here is the vocabulary:

despicio - look down on, despise
divitiae - riches, wealth
si - if
volo - want, wish, will
animus - spirit, mind
sum - be, exist
beatus - blessed, happy
qui - who, which, that
suspicio - look up to, admire
mendico - beg, be a beggar
semper - always
avarus - greedy; miser

(image source)

Talio

Here is today's emblem and distich by Bornitius, 5:23. You can see the proverbial man who has dug a pit for another falling into that pit himself.

Talio
Per quod quis peccat, per idem punitur et idem;
Incidit insidias, quas alii peperit.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are three words which are not on the DCC list:

insidiae, insidiārum - ambush, snare, treachery
pūnio -īre, pūnīvī, pūnītum - punish
tālio, tāliōnis f. - retaliation, punishment in kind

aliquis -quae -quod: some, any; si quis, si quid: anyone who, anything that
alius -a -um: other, another
et: and
īdem, eadem, idem: the same
incido -ere incidī: fall upon, fall into; happen
pario -ere peperī partum: bring forth, give birth to; accomplish
pecco -āre: commit a wrong, injure
per: through (+acc.)
qui, quae, quod: who, which, what; quis quid: who? what? which?

Suum Cuique Tribue

Here is today's emblem and distich by Gabriel Rollenhagen, Book 1.88, with an English rendering by George Wither. Here you can see the Divine Judge holding forth the true scales.

Suum Cuique Tribue
Cuique suum tribuat, poenas vel praemia, iudex
lance pari ac aequis omnia ponderibus.

False Weights, with Measures false eschew
And, give to ev'ry man, their Due.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

lanx, lancis f. - plate, dish, scale of a balance
tribuō -ere -uī tribūtum: assign, bestow, grant

aequus -a -um: equal; aequē, equally
atque, ac: and in addition, and also, and; (after comparatives) than; simul atque, as soon as
iūdex iūdicis m.: judge, juror
omnis -e: all, every, as a whole
pār paris: equal
poena -ae f.: penalty, punishment
pondus ponderis n.: weight
praemium -iī n.: bounty, reward
quis- quae- quidque: each one, everyone
suus -a -um: his own, her own, its own
vel: or else, or; even; vel . . . vel: either… or

Sibila Basilisci

Here is today's distich by Michele Verinus:

Sibila Basilisci
Tutius in silvis basiliscum audire frementem:
Quam molles cantus femineumque melos.

Here is the vocabulary:

sibila - hissing, whistling
basiliscus - basilisk
tutus - safe, secure, protected
in - in, into
silva - forest, wood
audio - hear
fremo - roar, growl
quam - than
mollis - soft
cantus - song, singing
femineus - women's, female
que - and
melos (n.) - song, tune

(Basiliscus)

Miraculum

Here is today's distich by John Owen, with an English translation by Thomas Harvey, 3.44.

Miraculum
Miretur populus miracula: nil mihi mirum est
Praeter eum, solus qui facit illa, Deum.

MIRACLE
Let other Miracles admire: but I
Admire their Maker only, God on high.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

mīrāculum, mīrāculī n. - marvel, wonder, miracle
mīrus -a -um - wonderful, strange, amazing

deus -ī m.; dea -ae f. god; goddess
ego meī mihi mē: I, me
faciō facere fēcī factum: do, make
ille illa illud: that
is ea id: he, she, it
mīror mīrārī mīrātus sum: wonder at, marvel at (+ acc.)
nihil, nīl: nothing; not at all
populus -ī m.: people
praeter: by, along, past; besides, except (+ acc.)
qui quae quod: who, which, what / quis quid: who? what? which?
sōlus -a -um: only, alone; sōlum (adv.), only, merely
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist

(from The Ten Commandments)

Haec tibi brumali...

Here is today's distich by Martial, 13.16. The notion of Romulus eating turnips - rather than the usual ambrosia - in heaven is part of an old Roman satirical tradition.

Haec tibi brumali gaudentia frigore rapa
quae damus, in caelo Romulus esse solet.

Here is the vocabulary:

hic - this, this one
tu - you
brumalis - winter (adj.)
gaudeo - rejoice, be joyful
frigus - cold, frost
rapa - turnip
qui - who, which, that
do - give
in - in
caelum - sky, heaven
Romulus - Romulus
edo - eat
soleo - be accustomed to, usually

(image source)

Ex magna cena...

Here is today's Rhyming Distich, and here are some more posts with Rhyming Distichs. I found this poem in the collection Philosophia Patrum edited by Julius Wegeler.

Ex magna cena stomacho fit maxima poena;
Ut sis nocte levis, sit tibi cena brevis.


The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are two words which are not on the DCC list:


cēna, f. - dinner, supper, meal
stomachus, -ī m. - stomach

brevis -e: short, shallow, brief; adv. breviter
ex, ē: out of, from (+ abl.)
fīo fierī factus sum: become
levis -e: light, trivial
māgnus -a -um great
māximus -a -um: greatest; māximē, most, especially, very much
nox noctis f.: night
poena -ae f.: penalty, punishment
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
tū tuī tibi tē: you (sing.)
ut, uti: as (+ indic.); so that, with the result that (+ subj.)

(image source)

Aequa diligito...

Here is today's distich by Cato (so-called), 3.24, with English translations by Duff and Chase.

Aequa diligito caros pietate parentes,
Nec matrem offendas, dum vis bonus esse parenti.

For both dear parents equal love e'er hold;
Be not to father fond: to mother cold.
(Chase)

Love both your parents, one as much as other:
To please your father never wound your mother.
(Duff)

Here is the vocabulary:

aequus - equal
diligo - cherish, love
carus - dear
pietas - sense of duty, loyalty
parens - parent
nec - and not
mater - mother
offendo - offend, hurt
dum - while, when
volo - wish, will, want
sum - be

(image source)

Officiosa Aliis, Exitiosa Suis

Here is today's emblem and distich by Joachim Camerarius, 4:23. In the note, Camerarius explains the use of a female salmon as a lure to entice the male fish so that the fishermen can easily capture them - hence the feminine adjectives in the emblem's title.

Officiosa Aliis, Exitiosa Suis
Hostis aperte, ast clam falsus, nos perdit amicus,
Nec quisquam est structis tutus ab insidiis.

Here is the vocabulary:

officiosus - attentive, dutiful
alius - other, another
exitiosus - deadly, destructive
suus - reflexive possessive
hostis - enemy
aperte - openly
ast - but, on the other hand
clam - secretly
falsus - lying, false
nos - we, us,
perdo - ruin, destroy
amicus - friend
nec - and not, nor
quisquam - anybody, anyone
sum - be, exist
struo - construct, build
tutus - safe, secure
ab - from
insidiae - ambush, trap

Sapientia et Caritas

Here is today's distich by Michele Verinus. The message is that both wisdom and love become greater in the giving, but lesser if kept shut away.

Sapientia Docendo, Caritas Dando Fit Maior
Ut caritas dando, sic fit sapientia maior;
Clausa minor nobis, largius ergo dabis.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

cāritas, cāritātis f. - dearness, esteem, love, charity
largus -a -um - abundant, plentiful, bountiful

claudō claudere clausī clausum: close, shut
dō dare dedī datum: give
ergo: therefore
et: and
fīō fierī factus sum: become
māior -ius: greater, older; maiōres -um: ancestors
minus -oris n.: a smaller number or amount, less; (adv.) minus: to a smaller extent, less
nōs nostrum/nostrī nobis nōs: we
sapientia -ae f.: wisdom
sīc: in this manner, thus; sīc . . . ut: in the same way as
ut, uti: as (+ indic.); so that, with the result that (+ subj.)

(image source)

Omnia Appetunt Bonum

Here is today's distich by John Owen, with an English translation by Thomas Harvey, 2.44.

Omnia Appetunt Bonum
Fallor, an a verbo nomen trahit optimus opto?
Optat enim sapiens optima quisque sibi.

ALL THINGS AFFECT GOOD
From Opto’ s’Optimus, without contest,
For that’s wise doth wish himself the best.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

appeto -ere, appetīvī, appetītum - seek, strive for, desire
opto -āre - wish for, desire, choose

ā, ab, abs: from, by (+abl.)
an: or
bonus -a -um: good
enim: for, indeed
fallo fallere fefellī falsum: deceive
nōmen -inis n.: name
omnis -e: all, every, as a whole
optimus -a -um: best, excellent; adv. optimē
quis-, quae-, quidque: each one, everyone
sapiens -ntis: wise, sensible
sui, sibi, sē: him- her- itself
traho -ere trāxī trāctum: drag, draw
verbum -ī n.: word

(image source)

In tenebris luges...

Here is today's distich by Martial, 4.58. As usual, Martial is making a witty insult: Galla is not publicly mourning her dead husband, but instead of accusing her of being without grief, Martial really heaps it on - she must be mourning him in secret, even if she seems the merry widow in public.

In tenebris luges amissum, Galla, maritum:
nam plorare pudet te, puto, Galla, virum.

Thy husband lost, thou wail'st in gloom, I ween.
Thou blushest, Galla, to make sorrow seen.
- Elphinston

Here is the vocabulary:

in - in, into
tenebrae - shadows
lugeo - mourn, grieve
amitto - lose, lose by death
Galla - Galla
maritus - husband
nam - for, the fact is
ploro - weep
pudet - shame, make ashamed
tu - you
puto - think, suppose
vir - man

(The Merry Widow)

Sedes Commoda

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288     -     289     -     290

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Sedes Commoda
Si qua sede sedes, et sit tibi commoda sedes,
Illa sede sede, nec ab illa sede recede.

Source: Philosophia Patrum (ed. Wegeler), 1263. Meter: Dactylic Hexameter.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There is only one word in this poem that is not on the DCC list:

If you are sitting (si sedes) in a seat (qua sede), and that seat happens to be (et sit sedes) comfortable for you (tibi commoda), sit in that seat (illa sede sede), and from that seat (ab illa sede) do not recede (nec recede).

commodus -a -um - suitable, proper, convenient

ā, ab, abs: from, by (+abl.)
aliquis -quae -quod: some, any; si quis, si quid: anyone who, anything that
et: and
ille, illa, illud: that
neque, nec: and not, nor; neque . . . neque, neither . . . nor
recēdo -ere -cessī -cessum: step back, recoil, recede, withdraw
sedeo -ēre sēdī sessum: sit
sēdēs -is m.: seat, abode, habitation
sī: if
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
tū tuī tibi tē: you (sing.)

(image source)

Mors Non Timenda

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112     -     113     -     114

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Mors Non Timenda
Fac tibi proponas, mortem non esse timendam:
Quae bona si non est, finis tamen illa malorum est.

Judge not that death's a thing to apprehend;
If 't is not good, yet 't is of bad the end.
(Chase)

Be this thy motto - "I do not dread death:"
Death, if no boon, our troubles finisheth.
(Duff)

Source: The Distichs of Cato (4th century), 3.22. Meter: Dactylic Hexameter. Note the use of the imperative fac with a subjunctive to express a command: fac (ut) proponas.

Make it (fac) so that you propose to yourself (proponas tibi) that death is not to be feared (mortem non esse timendam): death which (illa quae), even if it is not good (si bona non est), is nevertheless (est tamen) the end of evils (finis malorum).

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. All the words in this poem are on that list!

bonus -a -um: good
facio facere fēcī factum: do, make
fīnis -is m.: end, boundary
ille, illa, illud: that
malus -a -um: evil
mors mortis f.: death
nōn: not
prōpōno -ere -posuī -positum: put forth, propose, present
qui, quae, quod: who, which, what; quis quid: who? what? which?
sī: if
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
tamen: nevertheless, still
timeo -ēre -uī: to fear, to dread
tū tuī tibi tē: you (sing.)

(image source)

Sibi Canit Et Orbi

Here is today's emblem and distich by Joachim Camerarius, 3:23. What a coincidence: the swan figures in today's poem by Camerarius, too, just as it did in Martial's poem for today.

Sibi Canit Et Orbi
Ipsa suam celebrat sibi mens bene conscia mortem,
Ut solet herbiferum cygnus ad Eridanum.

Here is the vocabulary:

se - reflexive pronoun
cano - sing
et - and, and also, even
orbis - circle, sphere, world
ipse - emphatic adj/pronoun
suus - reflexive possessive
celebro - celebrate, glorify
mens - mind
bene - well
conscius - aware of, knowing
mors - death
ut - as
soleo - be in the habit of
herbifer - grassy, full of herbs
cygnus - swan
ad - to, by
Eridanus - the Eridanus river

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

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408     -     409     -     410

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Here is today's emblem and distich by Gabriel Rollenhagen, Book 1.86, with an English rendering by George Wither. There is also a Wikipedia article about this famous Latin saying.

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Cernite mortales, sic transit gloria mundi,
Noster honor cinis, et pulveris umbra sumus.

Even as the Smoke doth passe away
So, shall all Worldly-pompe decay.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There is only one word in this poem that is not on the DCC list:

pulvis, pulveris m. - dust

cernō cernere crēvī crētum: discern, separate
cinis cineris m./f.: ashes, embers
et: and
glōria -ae f.: glory, fame
honor -ōris m.: honor, glory; office, post
mortālis -e: liable to death, mortal
mundus -ī m.: world, universe, heavens
noster nostra nostrum: our
sīc: in this manner, thus; sīc . . . ut: in the same way as
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
trānseō -īre -iī -itum: go across
umbra -ae f.: shade, shadow 

Pluribus Medicis Non Est Credenda Salus

Here is today's distich by Michele Verinus:

Pluribus Medicis Non Est Credenda Salus
Vis febri curari? Medicis ne crede salutem
Pluribus: unus enim sat bonus esse potest.


The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

fēbris, fēbris f. - fever
medicus, medicī m. - physician, doctor

bonus -a -um: good
crēdō crēdere crēdidī crēditum: believe
cūrō -āre: care for (+ acc.)
enim: for, indeed
nē: lest, that not
nōn: not
plūs plūris n.: a greater amount or number, more
possum posse potuī: be able
salūs -ūtis f.: health, safety
satis/sat: enough, sufficient
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
ūnus -a -um: one
volō velle voluī: wish, be willing

(image source)

Theologus: Politicus

Here is today's distich by John Owen, with an English translation by Thomas Harvey, 2.43. Owen is reveling as usual in parallels in paradox. He says to the learned divine, "your knowledge" (scire tuum) is nothing unless someone else knows that you know. As for the politician, things are even worse because secrecy is crucial: if anyone else knows, your knowing is nothing!

Theologus: Politicus
Scire tuum nihil est, nisi te scire hoc sciat alter.
Si sciat hoc alter, scire tuum nihil est.

THE DIVINE. THE POLITICIAN
To know thine’s nothing, if not known ’tis known.
If known ’tis nothing then to know thine own.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

polīticus -a -um - belonging to the state, political, civil; politician
theologus, theologī m. - theologian

alter altera alterum: other of two
hic haec hoc: this; hōc: on this account
nihil, nīl: nothing; not at all
nisi/nī: if not, unless
sciō -īre -īvī/-iī -ītum: know
sī: if
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
tū tuī tibi tē: you (sing.)
tuus -a -um: your

(image source)

Cycni

Here is today's distich by Martial, 13.77. For more about the legendary swan song, see this page at the Medieval Bestiary website.

Cycni
Dulcia defecta modulatur carmina lingua
cantator cycnus funeris ipse sui.

As how to swans, their truth's reward, belong
A joyful death, and sweet expiring song.
- Geo. Lamb

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only three words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

cantātor, cantātōris m. - singer, musician
cȳcnus, cȳcnī m. - swan
modulor, -ārī, modulātus - dance, sing, play

carmen -inis n.: song
deficiō -ficere -fēcī -fectum: fail, give out; revolt from
dulcis -e: sweet
fūnus funeris n.: funeral; death; dead body
ipse ipsa ipsum: him- her- itself
lingua -ae f.: tongue; language
suus -a -um: his own, her own, its own

(image source)

Vita Quasi Ventus

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106     -     107     -     108

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Vita Quasi Ventus 
Quid prodest homini, si vivat saecula centum?
Cum moritur, vitam transisse putat quasi ventum.

Source: Andreas Gartner, Proverbialia Dicteria (1578). Meter: Dactylic Hexameter.  Note the perfect infinitive in indirect statement: transisse. There is also a nice end-line rhyme: centum-ventum.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. All the words in this poem are on that list!

centum: one hundred
cum: with (prep. + abl.); when, since, although (conjunction + subj.)
homo hominis m.: human being
morior morī mortuus sum: die
prōsum -desse -fuī: be of use, do good, help (+ dat.)
puto -āre: think, suppose
quasi: as if
qui, quae, quod: who, which, what; quis quid: who? what? which?
saeculum -ī n.: generation, age, century
sī: if
trānseo -īre -iī -itum: go across
ventus -ī m.: wind
vīta -ae f.: life
vīvo -ere vīxī victum: live

(image source - full size poster; poster made with AutoMotivator)

Life is Like the Wind

What does it profit a man (quid prodest homini) if he were to live (si vivat) one hundred years? (centum saecula) When he dies (cum moritur), he thinks (putat) that his life has passed by (vita transisse) like the wind (quasi ventum).

Quid pro~dest homi~ni, si ~ vivat ~ saecula ~ centum?
Cum mori~tur, vi~tam tran~sisse pu~tat quasi ~ ventum.

Utere Ne Videaris Abuti

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223     -     224     -     225

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Utere Ne Videaris Abuti
Utere quaesitis, sed ne videaris abuti:
Qui sua consumunt, cum deest, aliena sequuntur.

Use without waste whatever gains thou'st made;
Who wastes his own, will others' rights invade.
(Chase)

Use your estate, et shun extravagance:
Want follows waste and begs for maintenance.
(Duff)

Source: The Distichs of Cato (4th century), 3.21. Meter: Dactylic Hexameter. Note the impersonal deest, "when there is a lack, when you're in need."

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only two words in this poem that are not on the DCC list:

abūtor, abūtī: use up, consume, misuse

aliēnus -a -um: foreign, strange
cōnsūmō -sūmere -sūmpsī -sūmptum: to use up, consume
cum: with (prep. + abl.); when, since, although (conjunction + subj.)
dēsum -esse -fuī: be lacking
nē: lest, that not
quaerō -rere -sīvī-situm: seek, inquire
qui quae quod: who, which, what / quis quid: who? what? which?
sed: but
sequor sequī secūtus sum: follow
suus -a -um: his own, her own, its own
ūtor ūtī ūsus sum: use
videō vidēre vīdī vīsum: see

(image source - full size poster; poster made with AutoMotivator)

Violenta Nocent

Here is today's emblem and distich by Joachim Camerarius, 2:23. Compare the Aesop's fable about the bear and the bees.

Violenta Nocent
Ut favus exitio est urso, sic saepe malorum
Auctorem illaqueant visque dolusque suum.

Here is the vocabulary:

violentus - violent, vehement
noceo - harm, injure
ut - as
favus - honeycomb
exitium - doom, destruction
sum - be, exist
ursus - bear
sic - thus
saepe - often
malus - evil, wicked, bad
auctor - originator, authority
illaqueo - ensnare, entangle
vis - force, strength, power
que...que... - both...and...
dolus - trick, deceit, fraud
suus - reflexive possessive

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

De Lucri Cupiditate

Here is today's distich by Michele Verinus:

De Lucri Cupiditate
Conditio misera est lucri intoleranda cupido,
Hiberni haec vexat turbinis instar aquas.

Here is the vocabulary:

de - about, concerning
lucrum - gain, profit
cupiditas - desire, yearning
conditio - condition, situation
miser - wretched, unfortunate
sum - be, exist
intolerandus - unbearable, insupportable
hibernus - winter
hic - this, this one
vexo - shake, toss violently
turbo - whirwind, tornado
instar - like, as
aqua - water

(image source)

Ianus Bifrons

Here is today's distich by John Owen, with an English translation by Thomas Harvey, 6.43. I like the pairing of genius and memory as allegorical symbols of Janus's two faces!

Ianus Bifrons
Ingenii virtus reminiscendique facultas,
Ista quod a tergo est, illa quod ante, videt.

TWO-FAC’D JANUS
Thy force of Wit, and strength of Memory
Before, behind, to see thou dost apply.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are only three words in this poem that are not on the DCC list, plus one proper name:

 bifrons, bifrontis - having two foreheads, two faces
facultas, facultātis f. - capability, power, skill
Ianus - Janus (Roman god)
reminiscor, -ī - recall to mind, remember, recollect

ā ab abs: from, by (+abl.)
ante: before, in front of (adv. and prep. + acc.)
ille illa illud: that
ingenium -ī n.: disposition, ability, talent
iste ista istud: that, that of yours; adv. istīc or istūc: over there; istinc: from over there
que (enclitic) - and
qui quae quod: who, which, what / quis quid: who? what? which?
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
tergum -ī n.: back, rear; a tergō: from the rear
videō vidēre vīdī vīsum: see
virtūs -ūtis f.: valor, manliness, virtue

(Janus)

Quae legis causa...

Here is today's distich by Martial, 5.75. The Lex Iulia de Adulteriis Coercendis, a law dating back to the time of the Emperor Augustus (17 BCE), allowed extreme punishment - fathers, for example, could kill their daughters and their lovers caught in the act of adultery. A legitimate marriage would allow the lovers to escape the penalty of the law. You might say that Laelia is not just legitima, but perhaps also legem timens!

Quae legis causa nupsit tibi Laelia, Quinte,
Uxorem potes hanc dicere legitimam.

She's married to avoid the law; now all
A very lawful wife her well may call.
- Anon. 16th century

Here is the vocabulary:

qui - who, which, that
lex - law
causa - cause, reason
nubo - marry, be married to
tu - you
Laelia - Laelia
Quintus - Quintus
uxor - wife
possum - can, be able
hic - this, this one
dico - say, tell, name
legitimus - legitimate, legal

(image source)

Pericula Magna

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379     -     380     -     381

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Pericula Magna
Qui nimis alta petit, nec magna pericula credit,
In magis ima cadit, seque in discrimina tradit.

Source: Philosophia Patrum (ed. Wegeler), 1038. Meter: Dactylic Hexameter. Note the rhymes: petit-credit and cadit-tradit.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There is only one word in this poem that is not on the DCC list:

discrīmen (discrīminis, n.): division, crisis, danger

altus -a -um: high, lofty; deep
cado cadere cecidī cāsum: fall, be killed
crēdo -ere crēdidī crēditum: believe
in: in, on (+ abl.); into onto (+ acc)
īnferus -a -um: low; īnferior, lower; īnfimus or īmus, lowest
magis: more
māgnus -a -um great
neque, nec: and not, nor; neque . . . neque, neither . . . nor
nimius -a -um: too much, excessive; nimis or nimium, excessively
perīculum -ī n.: danger
peto -ere petīvī petītum: seek, aim at
que: and (enclitic)
qui, quae, quod: who, which, what; quis quid: who? what? which?
sui, sibi, sē: him- her- itself
trādo -ere -didī -ditum: hand over, yield

(image source)

Coniugis iratae noli...

Here is today's distich by Cato (so-called), 3.20, with English translations by Duff and Chase.

Coniugis iratae noli tu verba timere;
Nam lacrimis struit insidias, cum femina plorat.

Thy wroth wife's speech fear not.
But have a care; A woman by her weeping can ensnare.
(Chase)

Fear not the words your angry wife may say:
A weeping woman plots but to waylay.
(Duff)

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are three words which are not on the DCC list:

insidiae, insidiārum - ambush, snare, treachery
plōro -āre - lament, weep, cry aloud
struo -ere, struxī, structum - pile up, arrange, build

coniunx, coniugis m./f.: spouse, husband, wife
cum: with (prep. + abl.); when, since, although (conjunction + subj.)
fēmina -ae f.: woman
īrāscor īrāscī irātus sum: grow angry; īrātus -a -um angry
lacrima -ae f.: tear
nam: for, indeed, really
nōlo nōlle, nōluī: be unwilling
timeo -ēre -uī: to fear, to dread
tū tuī tibi tē: you (sing.)
verbum -ī n.: word

(image source)

Ingentia Marmora Findit

Here is today's emblem and distich by Joachim Camerarius, 1:22. Compare the etymology of the English plant name sassafras, which is perhaps derived, or perhaps simply influenced by, the Latin saxifragia, the plant that saxa-frangit, breaks rocks.

Ingentia Marmora Findit
Quamvis dura, tamen caprificus marmora findit;
Contemnas hostem: si sapis, ipse cave.

Here is the vocabulary:

ingens - huge, enormous
marmor - marble, block of marble
findo - split, cleave, divide
quamvis - although
durus - hard
tamen - but, nevertheless
caprificus - wild fig tree
contemno - look down on, disregard
hostis - enemy
si - if
sapio - be wise
ipse - intensive adj/pronoun
caveo - watch out, beware

Deterius Formido

Here is today's emblem and distich by Gabriel Rollenhagen, Book 1.84, with an English rendering by George Wither. Here is his allegorical rendering of the situation:

The Bird in thrall, the more contented lyes,
Because, the Hawke, so neere her, she espyes;
And, though, the Cage were open, more would feare,
To venture out, then to continue there:
So, if thou couldst perceive, what Birds of prey,
Are hov'ring round about thee, every day,
To seize thy Soule (when she abroad shall goe,
To take the Freedome, she desireth so)
Thou, farre more fearefull, wouldst of them, become,
Then thou art, now, of what thou flyest from.

You can see both of the bird's problems (duplex poena) depicted vividly - the bird is trapped in a cage and is under attack!

Deterius Formido
Carcere clausa meo, formido vulturis ungues;
Duplex poena premit me, satis una foret.

My Fortune, I had rather beare
Then come, where greater perills are.

Here is the vocabulary:

deterius - worse
formido - fear, be afraid
carcer - prison, jail
claudo - close, enclose
meus - my
formido - fear
vultur - vulture
unguis - talon, claw, nail
duplex - double, two-fold
poena - punishment
premo - press, overwhelm
ego - I, me
satis - enough
unus - one
sum - be, exist

Vivendum Tamquam Sit Ultima Dies

Here is today's distich by Michele Verinus:

Vivendum Tamquam Sit Ultima Dies
Compositis vivas ceu sit lux ultima rebus,
Incautum ne te Parca severa premat.

Here is the vocabulary:

vivo - live
tamquam - just like, as if
sum - be, exist
ultimus - last, uttermost, final
dies - day
compono - arrange, compose, order
ceu - as if, just as
lux - light
res - thing
incautus - off one's guard, unaware
ne - so that not, lest
tu - you
Parca - personification of Fate
severus - strict, serious
premo - press, overwhelm

(The Parcae)

Deus

Here is today's distich by John Owen, with an English translation by Thomas Harvey, 3.43. As often, Owen plays with the paradoxical tension between the two lines: God is both measurelessly great, but at the same time he is but one.

Deus
Immensus Deus est, quia scilicet omnia mensus;
Innumerabilis est, unus enim Deus est.

GOD
God is Immense, all measuring alone:
And He’s Innumerable; for but but one.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are three words which are not on the DCC list:

immensus -a -um - immeasurable, limitless, vast
innumerābilis, innumerābile; innumerābilis - countless, innumerable
mētior, mētīrī, mensus - measure, distribute, mete

deus -ī m.; dea -ae f. god; goddess
enim: for, indeed
omnis -e: all, every, as a whole
quia: because
scilicet: certainly, of course
sum, esse, fuī: be, exist
ūnus -a -um: one

(image source)

Tunc triplices nostros...

Here is today's distich by Martial, 14.06. The poem refers to the codicilli triplices, a writing tablet with three leaves.

Tunc triplices nostros non vilia dona putabis,
Cum se venturam scribet amica tibi.

These three-leaved tablets you'll be sure to bless,
When a fair lady sends them back with "yes."
- W.S.B.

Here is the vocabulary:

tunc - then
triplex - triple, three-fold
noster - our, ours
non - not
vilis - worthless, cheap
donum - gift
puto - think
cum - when, since
se - reflexive pronoun
venio - come
scribo - write
amicus - friendly; friend
tu - you

(image source)

Disce, quod ignoras...

Here is today's Rhyming Distich, and here are some more posts with Rhyming Distichs. This one comes from the Florilegium Gottingense edited by Voigt.

Disce, quod ignoras, ne perdas tempus et horas:
Res praedifficilis facilis fit cuique volenti.


The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are two words which are not on the DCC list:

ignōro, āre - to not know, ignore, be ignorant
praedifficilis, -e; -is - very difficult

disco -ere didicī: learn
et: and
facilis -e: easy
fīo fierī factus sum: become
hōra -ae f.: hour
nē: lest, that not
perdo -ere -didī -ditum: destroy
qui, quae, quod: who, which, what; quis quid: who? what? which?
quis-, quae-, quidque: each one, everyone
rēs reī f.: thing (rēs pūblica, commonwealth; rēs familiāris, family property, estate; rēs mīlitāris, art of war; rēs novae, revolution)
tempus -oris n.: time
volo velle voluī: wish, be willing

(image source)

Inter convivas fac sis...

Here is today's distich by Cato (so-called), 3.19, with English translations by Duff and Chase.

Inter convivas fac sis sermone modestus,
Ne dicare loquax, cum vis urbanus haberi.

Talk little at thy feasts lest men esteem
Thee wordy, though thou fain wouldst witty seem.
(Chase)

Upon your talk, at dinners, set a bit,
Lest you're dubbed "rattle," when you 'd fain be "wit."
(Duff)

Here is the vocabulary:

inter - among, amidst
conviva - party-goer, guest
facio - make, do
sum - be, exist
sermo - speech
modestus - restrained, mild
ne - don't, so that not, lest
dico - say, tell, name
loquax - talkative, loquacious
cum - when, since
volo - want, wish
urbanus - sophisticated, refined
habeo - have, hold; habeor - be be held, be considered

(image source)

Serenabit

Here is today's emblem and distich by Joachim Camerarius, 2:22. In the essay accompanying this emblem, Camerarius explains that there is a legend (a legend I have not read about before!) which says that when it rains, bears dance and exult together, as if having a foreknowledge that the sun is about to come out.

Serenabit
Quaeris cur saliant pluviis? Spes certa sereni est;
Hac tu confisus, pelle animi nebulas.

Here is the vocabulary:

sereno - clear up, lighten
quaero - ask, inquire
cur - why
salio - leap, spurt
pluviis - rain, shower
spes - hope
certus - certain, sure
serenus - clear, fair, bright
hic - this, this one
tu - you
confido - have faith, trust in
pello - push, drive away, expel
animus - soul, mind
nebula - cloud

Manet Immutabile Fatum

Here is today's emblem and distich by Gabriel Rollenhagen, Book 1.83, with an English rendering by George Wither. God does hold the balance in his hand, but that does not mean he will not listen to the prayers of mankind as he weighs his plans!

Manet Immutabile Fatum
Legibus aeternis, manet immutabile fatum,
Non plus fata tamen, quam pia vota, valent.

What ever God did fore-decree
Shall, without faile, fulfilled be.

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There is only one word in this poem that is not on the DCC list:

immūtābilis, immūtābile; immūtābilis - unchanging, unalterable

aeternus -a -um: everlasting, eternal
fātum -ī n.: fate
lēx lēgis: f. law
maneō manēre mānsī mānsum: remain
nōn: not
pius -a -um: dutiful, devoted, just, pious
plūs plūris n.: a greater amount or number, more
quam: how?; (after comparative) than
tamen: nevertheless, still
valeō valēre valuī: be strong, excel, be valid, prevail; valē: farewell!
votum -ī n.: solemn promise, vow; hope

Vitanda Sunt Contagia Culpae

Here is today's distich by Michele Verinus:

Vitanda Sunt Contagia Culpae
Ceu colubrum, fugias blandae contagia culpae;
Quis non foedatur, si pice tactus erit?

Here is the vocabulary:

vito - avoid, evade
sum - be, exist
contagium - contact, contagion
culpa - fault, blame, crime
ceu - as, like, just as
coluber - snake, serpent
fugio - flee, run away
blandus - sweet, charming
quis - who
non - not
foedo - disgrace, pollute
si - if
pix - pitch, tar
tango - touch

(image source)