Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Swiftian Latin
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), In My Company:
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In mi cum pani praedixit:This looks like Latin. "Finis" means "end," "tellus" means "earth," "super" means "above," etc. But in combination, the words make no sense in Latin. However, if you say the poem out loud, it does makes sense phonetically in English:
Claret finis ne ver mixit.
Cantu tellus Dicas tori;
Tingat super Tori rori.
Aleto claret adit basis:
Tosta Laedi, fieri faces.
In my company pray, Dick, sit.Swift wrote four jeux d'esprit like this. For another, see here.
Claret fine is, never mix it.
Can't you tell us, Dick, a story;
Sing at supper "Tory Rory."
Ale to claret added base is.
Toast a lady, fiery faces.
