Saturday, January 13, 2024
Drink
Ælfric, Colloquy, ed. G.N. Garmonsway (Exeter: University of Exeter, 1978), p. 47 (my translation of the Latin):
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Teacher: And what do you drink?Latin:
Student: Beer, if I have it, or water if I don't have beer.
Teacher: Don't you drink wine?
Student: I'm not so rich that I can buy myself wine; and wine isn't a drink of boys or fools, but of old men and wise men.
Magister: Et quid bibis?Old English:
Discipulus: Ceruisam, si habeo, uel aquam si non habeo ceruisam.
Magister: Nonne bibis uinum?
Discipulus: Non sum tam diues ut possim emere mihi uinum; et uinum non est potus puerorum siue stultorum, sed senum et sapientium.
M: & hwæt drincst þu?
D: Ealu, gif ic hæbbe, oþþe wæter gif ic næbbe ealu.
M: Ne drincst þu win?
D: Ic ne eom swa spedig þæt ic mæge bicgean me win; & win nys drenc cilda ne dysgra, ac ealdra & wisra.
