Минута латинской поэзии
Для всех любителей поэзии не владеющих латынью, приведу перевод оды Кваси на английский профессорa Оксфордского университета Armand D'Angour (латинский асклепиадический метр Кваси Квартенга в вольном переводе в рифмованных куплетах):
While there are those who sing the worth
Of other cities on the earth
(Some richer far, some lesser too)
Of London town I sing, of you!
Roll on my song: it springs from one
who proudly claims to be your son.
I’ve loved you since my youngest days,
The alma mater of my praise!
Once there were Games in Greece of old
And rivalry calmed tempers bold
in times when warfare did not cease;
Now pray we for an age of peace!
Let peace prevail as folk compete
to win their spurs with arms — and feet;
to conquer — in the running race;
to vaunt their prowess — on the dais!
Let one triumph from those who fling
Fierce punches in the boxing ring;
Another will with oars and pluck
raise up the gold, and bless his luck!
One will emerge who jumps most high,
And one too strong for aught to vie;
But London, Britain’s capital,
You win the greatest prize of all!
While there are those who sing the worth
Of other cities on the earth
(Some richer far, some lesser too)
Of London town I sing, of you!
Roll on my song: it springs from one
who proudly claims to be your son.
I’ve loved you since my youngest days,
The alma mater of my praise!
Once there were Games in Greece of old
And rivalry calmed tempers bold
in times when warfare did not cease;
Now pray we for an age of peace!
Let peace prevail as folk compete
to win their spurs with arms — and feet;
to conquer — in the running race;
to vaunt their prowess — on the dais!
Let one triumph from those who fling
Fierce punches in the boxing ring;
Another will with oars and pluck
raise up the gold, and bless his luck!
One will emerge who jumps most high,
And one too strong for aught to vie;
But London, Britain’s capital,
You win the greatest prize of all!