I think Alain is correct in interpretating the motto as a warning from the
dead brothers. According to my dictionary (Lewis and Short), the
translation of 'ede' as 'eat' could be strengthened to 'devour'.
'Carpere..noli' is the opposite of 'Carpe' (as in Carpe diem) so means 'Do
not seize'. 'vel...vel...' means 'either...or..' or 'make the choice
between...and...'
I still don't really understand how it all fits together, though. "Either
do not seize (the day?) as we (did), or else devour (it) your own way"
doesn't seem to make much sense.
The motto seems to express their regret at the way they passed their lives,
rather than at their deaths. Do we know anything of their lives?
Anyway, it doesn't look like a candidate for the Great Sundial Motto
Competition.
Chris Lusby Taylor
-----Original Message-----
From: Alain Burgeon [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 19 September 1998 08:30
To: Patrick Powers; sundial
Subject: Re: Can anyone help with a Latin translation?
Oooops !
Don't read the "sundials", but the "BROTHERS" !
Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua
The BROTHERS speaking to the passer-by :
In French : "Ne les cueille pas a notre maniere, ou alors mange-les a la
tienne"
In English (but I'm afraid my English is not perfect !) :
"Don't pick (the hours) like we do, or else eat (them) your own way"
Alain BURGEON
Carnieres, Belgium
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----Message d'origine-----
De : Patrick Powers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
A : sundial <[email protected]>
Date : samedi 19 septembre 1998 0:51
Objet : Can anyone help with a Latin translation?
I have been asked if I might be able to provide an English translation
of a
Latin motto or inscription on an unusual mutifaced stone dial in a
Cheshire
(UK) churchyard.
The dial commemorates the death by drowning in 1717 of two brothers of
the
Mainwaring family who, it seems, lived at the nearby Hall. It has two
dial
faces. On the SW face is the inscription:
Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua
Despite learning Latin many years ago I am unable to translate this and
have no longer any dictionaries etc. Can anyone help me? It would be
much
appreciated.
Patrick Powers
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