MONTFORT STUDENTS SING ANCIENT LATIN BALLAD AT UNTERMYER GARDENS

Montfort students traveled back in time to the ancient world and performed a Latin love ballad at the beautiful Untermyer Gardens.

Adapted from Quintus Horatius Flaccus, Odes, Book 3, Poem 9

Donec gratus eram tibi As long as I was pleasing to you

nec quisquam potior and no other abler youth

bracchia candidae threw his arms around

cervici iuvenis dabat, your brilliant neck,

Persarum vigui rege beatior. I flourished, happier than the king of Persia.

Donec non alia magis As long as with no love but ours

arsisti neque erat did you burn, before

Lydia post Chloen, Lydia came after Chloe,

multi Lydia nominis, I, Lydia, of good repute,

Romana vigui clarior Ilia. flourished, shining brighter than Roman Ilia.

(Editor’s Note: Stanzas 3 and 4 are omitted in this recording.)

Quid si prisca redit Venus What if that old Love returns

(Redeat Venus!) (May Love return!)

diductosque iugo and coaxes together us parted lovers

cogit aeneo, with her bronze yoke,

(Iugo aeneo!) (With her bronze yoke!)

si flava excutitur Chloe, if blonde Chloe is cast aside,

reiectaeque patet ianua Lydiae? and the door opens again for rejected Lydia?

Quamquam sidere pulchior Although my lover is more handsome than the stars,

(Redeat Venus!) (May Love return!)

ille est, tu levior and you are lighter

cortice et improbo than a cork,

(Iugo aeneo!) (With her bronze yoke!)

iracundior Hadria, and angrier than the wicked Hadrian sea,

tecum vivere amem, I would love to live with you

tecum obeam libens! and with you I would freely die.

Tecum vivere amem, I would love to live with you

tecum obeam libens! and with you I would freely die.

Tecum vivere amem, I would love to live with you

tecum obeam libens! and with you I would freely die.