She

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The whole comic book

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She

Illa

Ἐκείνη

Holly

Ilex

Πρῖνος

Leo Vincey

Leo Vinciæus

Λέων Οὐιγκιαῖος

Ustane

Statia

Στατή

Mahomed

Mahometus

Μουχαμέτης

Billali

Villaticus

Βιλλαρικός

Cambridge University, England

Universitas Cantabrigiensis in Anglia

Τὸ Κανταβριγιακὸν Πανεπιστήμιον ἐν τῇ Ἀγγλίᾳ

Spellbound a class in ancient egyptian history listens to professor L. H. Holly.

Discipuli historiæ Ægyptiæ antiquæ stupentes auscultant professori L. H. Ilici.

Οἱ μαθηταὶ τῆς παλαιᾶς Αἰγυπτίας ἱστοριᾶς καταπλησσόμενοι ἀκροῶνται τοῦ καθηγητοῦ Λ. Ὁ. Πρίνου.

This is a story of an amazing adventure! Weird, astounding, some call it, but I know it happened. I was there when it all began thirty years ago on a dark and rainy night, when there came a knocking on my door.

Hæc sunt de eventu mirabili! Quæ quidam dixerint fabulam terribilem esse, ego autem scio ea accidisse. Aderam enim a principio, abhinc triginta annos, noctu multa ac pluvia, cum aliquis fores meas pulsavit.

Τάδε ἐστὶ περὶ θαυμαστῆς τύχης. Ἅπερ οἱ μέν τινες λέγοιεν ἂν μῦθον καταπληκτικὸν εἶναι, ἐγὼ δ' οἶδα συμβεβηκότα. Παρῆν γὰρ ἐξ ἀρχῆς, τριακοστὸν ἔτος τουτί, πολλῆς νυκτὸς καὶ ὄμβρου ὄντων, ὅτε τις ἔκοψε τὰς θύρας μου.

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Thirty years earlier

Mr. Holly, a wild-looking man’s at the door. I can’t make out what he says.

He may be hungry. Give the poor wretch something to eat.

Triginta ante annis...

Domine, homo qui agrestis videtur stat ad ostium. Nec intellego quid dicat.

Fortasse esurit. Da illo misero escam.

Πρὸ τριάκοντα ἐτῶν...

Κύριε, ἄνθρωπός τις φαινόμενος ἄγριος ἕστηκεν ἐπὶ τῇ θύρᾳ. Οὐδὲ συνίημι ὅ, τι λέγει.

Ἴσως πεινῇ. Δὸς ἐκείνῳ τῷ ταλαιπώρῳ ἔδεσμα.

Holly, my old friend! I must see you!

John Vincey! Come in!

Ilex, amice, ad te mihi veniendum.

Joannes Vinciæe! Ingredere!

Πρῖνε, φίλε, πρὸς σὲ χρῆ με ἐλθεῖν.

Ἰωάννη Οὐιγκιαῖε. Εἴσελθε.

John Vincey had been an old school friend from a wealthy English family. That night he was in trouble and in need of a friend.

You are good and honest, Holly. Promise me two things. First, that you will guard this black casket.

What’s in the casket?

Joannes Vinciæus fuerat condiscipulus e dite familia Anglica. Qui, cum illa nocte in ærumnis esset, indigebat amico.

Es bonus et frugi, ο Ilex. Pollicere ergo duo. Primum quidem te custoditurum esse istam arculam nigram.

Quid est in arcula?

Ἰωάννης Οὐιγκιαῖος ἐγεγόνει συμμαθητὴς ἐκ πλουσίου οἴκου Ἀγγλικοῦ ὤν. Ὁ δ' ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ κακῶς πάσχων ἔχρῃζε φίλου.

Καλοκἀγαθὸς εἶ, ὦ Πρῖμε. Ὑπόσχου οὖν δύο. Πρῶτον μὲν φυλάξειν τοῦτο τὸ μέλαν κιβώτιον.

Τί ἐν τῷ κιβωτίῳ;

There lies the strange history of the Vincey family, 2,000 years of tragic life and death!

Intus jacet historia familiæ Vinciææ, qui per duo milia annorum tragice vixerunt et mortui sunt.

Ἔνδον κεῖται ἡ ἱστορία τοῦ Οὐιγκιαίου οἴκου, ὅσοι διὰ δισχιλίων ἐτῶν τραγικῶς βεβιώκασί τε καὶ τεθνήκασιν.

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What is the second promise?

That you will adopt and raise my five-year old son, Leo Vincey.

Quid alterum mihi promittendum?

Filium meum quinquennem, Leonem Vinciæum, a te adoptatum et eruditum iri.

Τί θάτερον δεῖ με ὑπισχνεῖσθαι;

Σὲ εἰσποιησάμενον παιδεύσεσθαι τὸν πενταετῆ υἱόν μου, τὸν Λέοντα Οὐγκιαῖον.

Why do you not raise your own son?

My wife is dead. I am dying from a rare disease which I contracted in Africa.

Cur tu non erudis tui ipsius filium?

Uxor mea mortua est. Ego autem pereo quoddam morbum rarum in Africa nactus.

Διὰ τί σὺ οὐ παιδεύεις τὸν σεαυτοῦ υἱόν;

Ἡ μὲν γυνή μου ἀποτέθνηκεν. Ἐγω δὲ ἀπόλλυμαι νόσον τινὰ σπανίαν κτησάμενος ἐν τῇ Ἀφρικῇ.

What were you doing in Africa?

Seeking to revenge the murder of the great Egyptian high priest of Isis, Kallikrates! I am his direct descendant!

Quidnam in Africa agebas?

Conabar ulcisci Callicratem cæsum, Isidis magnum Ægyptium summum sacerdotem! Ego enim illius prognatus sum!

Τί δὴ ἐν τῇ Ἀφρικῇ ἔπρασσες;

Ἐπειρώμην ἐκδικῆσαι Καλλικράτην πεφονευμένον, τὸν τῆς Ἴσιδος μέγαν Αἰγύπτιον ἀρχιερέα. Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἀπ' ἐκείνου γέγονα.

Kallikrates, high priest of Isis, lived in Egypt 2,000 years ago…

Callicrates, Isidis summus sacerdos, vixit in Ægypto abhinc duo milia annorum.

Καλλικράτης, τῆς Ἴσιδος ἀρχιερεὺς ὤν, ἐβίωσεν ἐν τῇ Αἰγυπτίῳ δισχιλιοστὸν ἔτος τουτί.

Kallikrates was murdered in a jealous rage by a great white queen of Kôr! Now she must be punished!

Callicrates cæsus est a regina quadam Cori, alba magnaque, ob zelotypiam irata. Quæ nunc punienda est.

Ὁ μὲν Καλλικράτης ἐφονεύθη ὑπὸ βασιλίσσης τινὸς Κόρου, λευκῆς τε καὶ μεγάλης, διὰ ζηλοτυπίαν ὀργισθείσης. Νῦν δ' αὐτὴν δεῖ δίκην διδόναι.

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How can you avenge a murder that was committed 2,000 years ago? The white queen, whoever she was, has been dead for centuries!

Quomodo ultus eris cædem abhinc duo milia annorum factam? Nam regina alba, quæcumque ea fuit, mortua est ab ævo.

Πῶς ἂν ἐκδικοίης φόνον δισχιλιοστὸν ἔτος τουτὶ πραχθέντα; Ἡ γὰρ λευκὴ βασίλισσα, ἥτις ἔτυχεν οὖσα, ἀποτέθνηκεν ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος.

She still lives. The great white queen, who in a jealous rage slew my ancestor, Kallikrates, still lives. She has found the secret of life that goes on forever!

Adhuc vivit. Sane magna regina alba, quæ ob zelotypiam irata cecidit auctorem meum Callicratem, adhuc vivit. Invenit enim secretum vitæ æternæ.

Ἔτι ζῇ. Ἡ δὴ μεγάλη λευκὴ βασίλισσα, ἥπερ διὰ ζηλοτυπίαν ὀργισθεῖσα ἐφόνευσε τὸν πρόγονόν μου τὸν Καλλικράτην, ἔτι ζῇ. Εὔρηκε γὰρ τὸ ἀπόρρητον ζωῆς αἰωνίου.

Vincey is mad! How can he believe this rubbish about a white queen two thousand years old?

Vinciæus insanus est! Qui potest credere istas ineptias de regina alba duo milia annorum nata?

Οὐιγκιαῖος μαίνεται. Πῶς γὰρ πιστεύει τοῦτον τὸν φλύαρον περὶ βασιλίσσης λευκῆς τινος δισχίλια ἔτη γεγονυίας;

I gave Vincey my promise. I would call the authorities in the morning and have him placed placed in a home for the insane.

My lawyers will give you all the money you will ever need. Goodbye my friend. Kiss my son Leo for me and guard well the casket!

Promisi ergo Vinciæo. Mane autem, publicos appellaturus, curæ mihi erat illum in domo pro insanis includi.

Juriconsulti mei dabunt tibi omnem pecuniam qua umquam opus fuerit tibi. Vale, amice mi. Osculare loco mei Leonem filium meum et arculam diligenter costodi.

Ἐποιησάμην οὖν τὴν ὑπόσχεσιν τῷ Οὐιγκιαίῳ. Πρωῒ δέ, καλέσων τοὺς δημοσίους, ἔμελλον ἐκεῖνον εἰς τὴν τῶν μαινομένων φυλακὴν κατατεθῆναι.

Oἱ νομικοί μου δώσουσί σοι πάντα τὰ χρήματα ὁπόσων ἄν ποτε δεήσῃ σοι. Ἔρρωσο, ὦ φίλε. Φίλησον ἀντ᾽ ἐμοῦ Λέοντα τὸν υἱόν μου καὶ τὸ κιβώτιον καταφύλασσε.

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Next morning, much to my surprise…

What is the meaning of this?

Mane postridie admiratus sum.

Quid hoc rei est?

Πρωῒ τῇ ὑστεραίᾳ ἀπεθαύμασα.

Τί τοῦτό ἐστιν;

This boy was just delivered at the front door by a lawyer who said you would understand!

My name is Leo Vincey.

Puer hic modo ad rectum ostium tradebatur a juriconsulto quodam, qui dixit te intellecturum esse.

Mihi nomen est Leo Vinciæus.

Ὅδε ὁ παῖς ἄρτι παρεδίδοτο πρὸς τῇ ἔμπροσθεν θύρῃ ὑπὸ νομικοῦ τινος εἰπόντος ὅτι συνήσει.

Λέων Οὐιγκιαῖος ὀνομάζομαι.

So this is the direct descendant of the Egyptian high priest of Isis, Kallikrates! Where is the lad’s father?

Mr. Vincey died shortly after he left here last night. This letter came with the boy.

Ergo iste est prognatus summi sacerdotis Ægyptii Isidis, Callicratis! Ubi est pueri pater?

Vinciæus non longe postquam nocte hesterna hinc discessit mortuus est. Hæc autem epistola una cum puero pervenit.

Οὗτος οὖν γέγονεν ἀπὸ τοῦ Αἰγυπτίου ἀρχιερέως τῆς Ἴσιδος, τοῦ Καλλικράτου. Ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τοῦ παιδὸς πατήρ;

Ὁ μὲν Οὐιγκιαῖος οὐ πολὺ τῇ πρόσθεν νυκτὶ ἐντεῦθεν ἀπελθὼν ἐτελεύτησεν. Ἥδε δ' ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἀφίκετο ἅμα τῷ παιδί.

I read the letter by Vincey’s hand which now reached out to me from the grave…

Wait twenty years before you open the casket. Tell Leo nothing until that time. For it will take twenty years to prepare him to avenge the murder of Kallikrates. I, John Vincey, do charge him to seek out the white queen!

Lego epistulam Vinciæi manu, quæ nunc me attingit ex inferis...

Expecta viginti annos antequam arculam aperueris. Nec quicquam dic Leoni usque ad id temporis. Viginti enim annis opus est ut ille paretur ulcisci Callicratem cæsum. Ego, Joannes Vinciæus, ei mando ut exquirat reginam albam!

Ἀναγιγνώσκω τὴν ἐπιστολὴν τῇ τοῦ Οὐιγκιαίου χειρί, τῇ νῦν μου ἐφαπτομένῃ ἐξ ᾄδου…

Περίμεινον εἴκοσιν ἔτη πρὶν ἄν τὸ κιβώτιον ἀνοίξῃς. Μηδὲ λέγε μηδὲν Λέοντι μέχρι τοσούτου. Εἰκόσι γὰρ ἐτῶν δεῖ ἐκεῖνον παρασκευάζεσθαι ἐκδικῆσαι Καλλικράτην πεφονευμένον. Ἐγώ, Ἰωάννης ὁ Οὐιγκιαῖος, ἐντέλλομαι αὐτῷ ἐπιζητεῖν τὴν λευκὴν βασίλισσαν.

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The years passed. I told Leo nothing, following Vincey’s instructions. As a scholar, I was able to prepare Leo for his quest. I taught him Latin, Greek, and, of course, Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Prætereuntibus autem annis, faciens secundum Vinciæi litteras, nihil dicebam Leoni. Cumque præceptor essem, poteram parare Leonem ad inquisitionem ejus. Docui enim eum et Latinam et Græcam et vero hieroglyphicas Ægyptias.

Παρερχομένων δὲ τῶν ἐτῶν, ποιῶν κατὰ τὰ τοῦ Οὐιγκιαίου γράμματα, οὐκ ἔλεγον Λέοντι οὐδέν. Καὶ διδάσκαλος ὤν, οἷός τε ἦν παρασκευάζειν τὸν Λέοντα πρὸς τὴν ζήτησιν αὐτοῦ. Ἐδίδαξα γὰρ αὐτὸν καὶ τὴν Ῥωμαϊκὴν καὶ τὴν Ἑλληνικὴν καὶ μὴν τὰ Αἱγύπτια ἱερογλυφικά γε.

Leo was a natural athlete, as well as a scholar. His sturdy physique was to save my life in later years.

Leo autem natura erat et athleta et discipulus. Qui enim viribus lacertisque præditus postea me ad salutem reducebat.

Ὁ δὲ Λέων φύσει ἦν καὶ ἀθλητὴς καὶ μαθητής. Ὁ γὰρ ἔχων ἰσχύν τε καὶ ῥώμην ὕστερον ἔσῳζέν με.

I taught the lad to handle a rifle and shoot straight!

Bullseye, Uncle Holly!

Docuique puerum uti sclopeto et recta jaculari.

In scopum, avuncule Ilex!

Καὶ ἐπαίδευσα τὸν παῖδα χρῆσθαι πυροβόλῳ καὶ εὐθὺ βάλλειν.

Ἐπὶ σκοπόν, θεῖε Πρῖνε.

Graduation from Cambridge at 22 meant that we were nearing the day when, in accordance with my promise to Leo’s father, we would open the mysterious black casket.

Quo XXII annos nato Universitate Cantabrigiensi provecto, appropinquabat dies quando,
secundum promissum patri Leonis meum, occulta arcula nigra nobis aperienda esset.

Ἐκείνου δὲ κβ' ἔτη γεγονότος τῷ Κανταβριγιακῷ Πανεπιστημίῳ προαχθέντος,
ἤγγιζεν ἡ ἡμέρα ὅτε, κατὰ τὴν τῷ Λέοντος πατρὶ ἐπαγγελίαν μου, τὸ κρύφιον μέλαν κιβώτιον δέοι ἀνοιχθῆναι.

What secrets did it hold?

Quidnam a secretis erat intus in ea?

Τί δὴ τῶν ἀπορρήτων ἐνῆν αὐτῷ;

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25th birthday! I told Leo the story of the murder of his ancestor Kallikrates and the white queen who had found the secret of life eternal. Leo thought it was a joke.

Et venit XXV dies natalis! Ego itaque Leoni rem narravi de auctore ejus Callicrate reginaque alba quæ secretum vitæ æternæ invenerat. Leo autem jocari me putavit.

Καὶ ἦλθεν τὰ κε' γενέθλια. Ἐγὼ μὲν ἄρα Λέοντι διηγησάμην τὰ περὶ τοῦ προγόνου αὐτοῦ τοῦ Καλλικράτους τε καὶ τῆς λευκῆς βασιλίσσης εὑρηκυίας τὸ ἀπόρρητον ζωῆς αἰωνίου. Λέων δ' ἐνόμισέ με παίζειν.

Surely you don’t believe that story, uncle Holly!

Let us open the casket!

Profecto non credis talia, avuncule Ilex!

Aperiamus arculam!

Οὐ μὴν πιστεύεις τοιαῦτα, θεῖε Πρῖνε.

Ἀνοίξωμεν τὸ κιβώτιον.

Leo turned the key in the ancient lock.

Deinde Leo vertit clavem in antiqua claustra.

Ἔπειτα Λέων στρέφει τὴν κλεῖν ἐν τῷ παλαιῷ κλείθρῳ.

Do you still think this is a joke?

It’s Egyptian, that’s sure!

Ἆρα ἔτι νομίζεις τοῦτο παιδιὰν εἶναι;

Αἰγύπτιόν γε δή.

Αdhuc putasne rem jocum esse?

Omnino Ægyptia.

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The casket held a letter from Leo’s father, an exquisite scarab ring, and a fragment of Egyptian pottery.

Arcula habebat epistulam a patre Leonis et anulum forma scarabæi mirabilem et testam Ægyptiam.

Τὸ δὲ κιβώτιον εἶχεν ἐπιστολὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ πατρὸς τοῦ Λέοντος καὶ δακτύλιον κανθαρῶδες θαυμαστὸν καὶ ὄστρακον Αἰγύπτιον.

To my son Leo

The scarab ring fitted Leo’s finger as perfectly as if it had been made to order. This was significant. It was the scarab of Kallikrates.

Leoni filio meo.

Sic autem anulus convenibat digito Leonis quasi præparatus esset. Et res notabilis vero. Εrat enim scarabæus Callicratis.

Λέοντι τῷ τέκνῳ.

Οὕτω δὲ τὸ δακτύλιον ἥρμοζε τῷ τοῦ Λέοντος δακτύλῳ ὥσει προπεποιημένον ἦν. Καὶ σημειῶδες δὴ ἐκεῖνο. Ἦν γὰρ ὁ τοῦ Καλλικράτους κάνθαρος.

I have a strange feeling that the whole story is known to me! Yet how can that be? What does it say on the pottery, uncle Holly?

Mirum in modum sentio omnia mihi cognita esse. Tamen quomodo fieri potest? Quid scriptum est in testa, avuncule Ilex?

Θαυμαστῶς αἰσθάνομαι πάντα μοι γνώριμα ὄντα. Ὅμως πῶς τοῦτ' ἐνδέχεται; Τί γέγραπται ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀστράκου, θεῖε Πρῖνε;

It seems to have been by the honorable wife of Kallikrates, one Amenartas.

Hoc videtur scriptum esse ab Amenartide quadam, Callicratis legitima conjuge.

Τοῦτο δοκεῖ γραφῆναι ὑπὸ Ἀμενάρταδός τινος, τῆς Καλλικράτους γνησίας γυναικός.

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Image 11

...descendant of Kallikrates, hear me! Seek out the White Queen who has found the secret of life forever. She who lives near the river marked by the Head of the Ethiopian. If one generation fails, let another try until she is made to suffer and the murder of Kallikrates is avenged…

...o prognate Callicratis, audi me. Exquire reginam albam quæ secretum vitæ æternæ invenit. Et quæ prope flumen capite Æthiopis signatum habitat. Si vero generatio alia defecerit, alia tentet dum, illa cruciata, ulciscatur Callicratem cæsum...

ὦ γεγονὼς ἀπὸ Καλλικράτους, ἄκουέ μου. Ἐπιζήτει τὴν λευκὴν βασίλλισαν τὴν εὑρηκυῖαν τὸ ἀπόρρητον ζωῆς αἰωνίου. Καὶ τὴν οἰκοῦσαν πρὸς τῷ ποταμῷ σεσημειωμένῳ κεφαλῇ Αἰθίοπος. Ἐὰν δὴ γενεὰ ἄλλη ἁμάρτῃ, ἄλλη πειράσθω ἕως ἄν, ἐκείνης βασανισθείσης, ἐκδικήσῃ Καλλικράτην πεφονευμένον...

Next Leo opened the letter from his poor father

Deinde Leo litteras a misero patre aperuit.

Ἔπειτα ὁ Λέων ἤνοιξε τὴν ἐπιστολὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ ταλαιπώρου πατρός.

..our family name Vincey comes from the old Latin word Vindex meaning to avenge. I gave my life in the quest. Now you must succeed where I failed….

Vinciæus cognomen nostrum venit a vocabulo Latino Vindex, quod interpretatur qui vindicat. Ego quidem inquirendo vitam dedit. Tibi autem nunc procedendum qua defeci.

Οὐιγκιαῖος ἡ ἡμετέρα ἐπωνυμία ἦλθεν ἀπὸ τῆς Ῥωμαϊκῆς λέξεως Vindex, ἣ ἑρμηνεύεται τιμωρός. Ἐγὼ μὲν ἐπιζητῶν δέδωκα τὸν βίον. Σοὶ δὲ χρὴ προκόπτειν ᾗ ἐλλέλοιπα.

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I feel very strange! It’s all so weird. Yet, I believe it!

Mire me habeo! Nam omnia quidem insolita, ego autem credo.

Θαυμάσια πάσχω. Πάντα μὲν γὰρ ἀλλότρια, ἐγὼ δὲ πιστεύω.

Something is telling me that I must avenge my father and all those of my family who have gone before me over the centuries.

Audio quodammodo mihi vindicandum esse patrem omnesque cognatos qui ante me per sæcula abierint.

Ἀκούω πως δεῖν με ἐκδικῆσαι τὸν πατέρα τε καὶ πάντας τοὺς συγγενεῖς ἐληλυθότας πρὸ ἐμοῦ διὰ τῶν αἰώνων.

Contact had been made with the supernatural past. What seemed like a story to me was truth and fact to Leo! From that moment on, Leo was a changed man…

Tunc præterita extra naturæ modum contacta sunt. Quod enim fabula mihi esse videbatur, istud res gesta Leoni erat! Dehinc Leo mutatus erat...

Τότε ὁ πρόσθεν χρόνος ὑπερφυῶς ἐγένετο ἐν πείρᾳ. Ὅπερ γὰρ ἐδόκει μοι μῦθος εἶναι, τοῦτο ἦν Λέοντι πρᾶγμα. Τοὐντεῦθεν Λέων ἠλλαγμένος ἦν.

One thought was in his mind, vengeance! But if he needed me, I would go with him to the ends of the Earth!

Unum enim erat illi in mente, ultio! Sed si me indiguerat, secuturus eram eum ad extrema terræ.

Πρὸς ἓν γὰρ εἶχε τὸν νοῦν, πρὸς τὴν τιμωρίαν. Ἀλλ' εἰ δέοιτο μου, ἔμελλον ἀκολουθεῖν αὐτῷ εἰς τὰ ἔσχατα τῆς γῆς.

How soon can we start for Africa?

Quando possumus in Africam proficisci?

Πότε ἔξεστιν ἡμῖν πορευθῆναι εἰς τὴν Ἀφρικήν;

As soon as you wish. Your father left us all the money we need for guns, ammunition, and equipment.

Quando primum volueris. Nam pater tuus remisit omnem pecuniam qua umquam opus fuerit nobis ad sclopeta et glandes et instrumenta.

Ὅταν πρῶτον βούλῃ. Ὁ γὰρ πατήρ σου ἐφῆκεν πάντα τὰ χρήματα ὁπόσων ἄν ποτε δεήσῃ ἡμῖν πρὸς τὰ πυροβόλα καὶ τὰς μολυβδίδας καὶ τὰ σκεύη.

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Image 13


Africa / Zanzibar

Africa / Zanguebaria

Ἀφρική / Ζανσεβάρη

Destination Zanzibar. Three months later, Leo and I with a small crew under a native called Mahomed, made our way up the East coast of Africa. At Zanzibar, we planned to outfit an expedition for the interior.

Eundum erat in Zanguebariam. Ergo tribus post mensibus, ego et Leo cum paucis nautis sub indigena Mahometo nomine, iter fecimus secundum oram Africæ orientalem. Deinde in Zanguebaria apparavimus nos proficisci in mediterranea.

Ἰτέον δ' εἰς Ζανσεβάρην. Τρισὶν οὖν μησὶν ὕστερον, ἐγὼ καὶ Λέων σὺν ὀλίγοις ναύταις ὑπ' αὐτόχθωνι Μουχαμέτῳ τοὔνομα, ἐπορεύθημεν παρὰ τὸ ἀνατολικὸν τῆς Ἀφρικῆς πέρας. Ἔπειτα ἐν Ζανσεβάρῃ παρεσκευασάμεθα διέρχεσθαι εἰς τὴν μεσόγαιαν.

Storm comes, master!

A water spout: a storm common to those waters, dangerous, sudden , and often fatal!

We were smashed as if hit by a sledge hammer!

Venit procella, ere!

Columna est procella quæ plerumque contingit in illis aquis et periculosa et repentina et sæpe mortifera.

Et fracti sumus quasi malleo percussi.

Ἔρχεται θύελλα, δέσποτα.

Πρηστήρ ἐστι θύελλα ἐπὶ πολὺ συμβαίνουσα ἐν ἐκείνοις τοῖς ὕδασι καὶ ἐπικίνδυνος καὶ αἰφνίδιος καὶ πολλάκις θανατηφόρος.

Καὶ ἐρράγημεν ὥσπερ σφύρᾳ κεκομμένοι.

[Shenoute]

Hi Bedwere,

I haven't been on the forum for a while but wanted to thank you for going one with these!

I just have a couple of questions about the following sentence:

(...) ego et Leo cum paucis nautis sub indigena Mahometus nomine, iter fecimus per oram Africæ orientalem. (...)

Shouldn't Mahometus be an ablative?
I also wonder about the use of sub here, but I readily admit I haven't done any research. I guess my preference would go to an ablative absolute, something like indigena Mahometo nomine ducente.
And finally (sorry!), is per right here? It seems to me that they are making their way "along" rather than "through". If so, would praeter be better?

[bedwere]

Hi, Shenoute. I think you are right and I switched the case to ablative / dative. Sub is attested by good authors (see L&S I.C.3) I also chose secundum / παρά rather the praeter. Thank you and come more often!

[bedwere]

Image 14

I’ll save you, uncle Holly!

Leo’s strength and quick wits saved my life. The storm passed as quickly as it had come.

Salvum te faciam, avuncule Ilex!

Viribus ingenioque Leo factus est mihi in salutem. Procella autem tam cito abiit quam pervenerat.

Σώσω σε, θεῖε Πρῖνε.

Τῷ μὲν ἰσχύι τε καὶ τῇ γνώμῃ ὁ Λέων ἐγένετό μοι εἰς σωτηρίαν. Ἡ δὲ θύελλα οὕτω ταχὺ ἀπῆλθεν ὥσπερ ἠληλύθει.

Give us a hand, Mahomed!

We’ve got arms and ammunition and some food has floated ashore.

Subveni, Mahomete!

Habemus sclopeta et glandes, cibaria autem aliqua in terram allata sunt.

Βοήθησον, Μουχαμέτη.

Ἔχομεν μὲν πυροβόλα καὶ μολυβδίδας, ἐδώδιμα δέ τινα προσηνέχθη εἰς τὴν γῆν.

Need plenty. Long way from Zanzibar.

Look!

Opus copia. Longe a Zanguebaria.

Aspice!

Δεῖ πλήθους. Μακρὰν Ζανσεβάρης.

Ἰδέ.

The head of the Ethiopian mentioned on the fragment of pottery in the Vincey casket. The head of the Ethiopian, said to mark the river that led to the land of the white queen of Kor!

Caput Æthiopis, indicatum super testam in Vinciæi arcula, quod dicebatur signare flumen fluens in terram reginæ albæ Cori.

Τὴν κεφαλὴν τοῦ Αἰθίοπος, τὴν εἰρημένην ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀστράκοῦ ἐν τῷ Οὐιγκιαίου κιβωτίῳ, τὴν λεγομένην σημειοῦν τὸν ποταμὸν ῥέοντα εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς λευκῆς βασιλίσσης Κόρου.

[Shenoute]

Hi, Shenoute. (...) Thank you and come more often!

Thank you for your kind words!

[bedwere]

Image 15

It’s the head of the Ethiopian all right! And there is the river!

Istud est omnino caput Æthiopis. Illic autem situm est flumen!

Τοῦτ' ἔστιν πάνυ ἡ κεφαλὴ τοῦ Αἰθίοπος. Ἐκεῖ δὲ κεῖται ὁ ποταμός.

A strange excitement came over Leo. He acted very much like a person coming home after a long journey. It almost seemed that Leo had been there before.

Leo autem mire commotus est. Enimvero se gerebat ut homo longe vero peregrinatus
domum tandem reversus. Itaque Leo prope videbatur illic antea adfuisse.

Ὁ δὲ Λέων θαυμαστῶς ἐταράχθη. Καὶ γάρ τοι ἔπρασσεν ὡς ἄνθρωπος πολὺν μὲν χρόνον ἀποδημήσας οἴκαδε δὲ τέλος ἐληλυθώς. Ὥστε ὁ Λέων σχεδὸν ἐδόκει ἐκεῖ πρόσθεν παραγενέσθαι.

I’m going to follow the river. I’m sure it’s safe.

Adverso flumine ibo. Mihi enim persuadeo iter tutum esse.

Εἶμι ἀνὰ ποταμόν. Πέπεισμαι γὰρ τὴν ὁδὸν ἀσφαλῆ εἶναι.

Leo brought in one of our small boats that had survived the storm and were floating off ashore. The lad was determined to make the trip up the river.

Leo igitur induxit unum e navigiolis quæ procellam superfuerunt atque in terram afferebantur. Juvenis enim constituerat ut adverso flumine iter faceret.

Ὁ οὖν Λέων εἰσήνεγκεν ἓν τῶν σκαφιδίων τῆς θυέλλης περιγενομένων καὶ εἰς τὴν γῆν προσφερομένων. Ὁ γὰρ νεανίσκος προῃρημένος ἦν ἀνὰ ποταμὸν πορεύεσθαι.

This is no good. Bad luck, you see!

Non est bonum hoc. Nonne mala fortuna?

Οὐκ ἀγαθὸν τοῦτο. Οὐχὶ δυστυχία;

[bedwere]

Image 16

Our trip through the steaming jungle began. I wonder if any of us would have had the nerve to undertake such an expedition had we the slightest idea of the horrors ahead.

Cœpimus ideo per silvam vaporosam procedere. Dubito autem utrum aliquis ex nobis tantum animum habuisset ut hujusmodi iter fecerit, si futuræ quantulumcumque fœditatis scivissemus.

Ἠρξάμεθα οὖν προβαίνειν διὰ τῆς ἀτμιδώδους ὕλης. Ἀπορῶ δὲ πότερόν τις ἡμῶν οὕτως ἂν ἐθάρρησεν ὥστε τοιαύτην πορείαν ποιεῖσθαι, εἰ ᾔδειμεν μικρόν τι τῆς μελλούσης αἰσχρότητος.

Three weeks later a fork in the river. Which way should we go?

At viginti post diebus flumen se scindit. Utram viam insistemus?

Εἴκοσι δ' ἡμέραις ὕστερον ὁ ποταμὸς σχίζεται. Ποτέραν ὁδὸν βαδιούμεθα;

Look! This one is an ancient channel!

Aspice! Hæc est antiqua fossa!

Ἴδε. Αὕτη ἐστὶ παλαιὰ διῶρυξ.

Stone walls of a channel! Amazing!

Muros lapidæos fossæ! Miror!

Τείχη λίθινα διώρυχος. Θαυμάζω.

Early Egyption carving! I’d like to examine this more. Let’s tie up here for the night!

Antiquæ Ægyptiæ celaturæ! Velim hoc diutius perscrutari. Metemur ergo hic per noctem!

Ἀρχαῖαι Αἰγύπτιαι γλυφαί. Βουλοίμην ἂν πλείω χρόνον ἐξετάζειν τοῦτο. Στρατοπεδευώμεθα οὖν ἐνταῦθα διὰ τῆς νυκτός.

That night we were attacked by the dreaded Amahaggar.

Illa autem nocte terribiles Amagerrhæi nos adorti sunt.

Ἐκείνῃ δὲ τῇ νυκτὶ οἱ φοβεροὶ Ἀμαγερραῖοι ἦλθον ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.

[mwh]

si futuræ quantulum fœditatis scivissemus.
> quantulumcumque?

At viginti post diebus flumen se scindit. Quam viam insistemus?
> Utram (since it’s a fork)

Τίνα ὁδὸν βαδιούμεθα;
> ποτέραν

That’s as much as I’ve looked at. I still think you translate too literally and unidiomatically, but that’s your choice.

[bedwere]

Thank you

[bedwere]

Image 17


We kept our guns. The Amahagger had never heard of gun powder.

Retinuimus vero sclopeta. Amagerrhæi enim numquam pulverem tormentarium noverant.

Κατέσχομεν δὴ τὰ πυροβόλα. Οἱ γὰρ Ἀμαγερραῖοι οὐδέποτε ἔγνωσαν τὴν πυρίνην κόνιν.

Their leader was a perfect specimen of an ancient Egyptian priest. I wondered if he knew the story of Kallikrates. Time would tell! He spoke ancient Egyptian!

Quorum dux omnino se ostendebat antiquum Ægyptium sacerdotem esse. Ego autem dubitabam si rem de Callicrate sciret. Opportune tamen disciturus eram. Homo autem lingua antiquorum Ægyptiorum loquebatur.

Ὁ μὲν ἡγεμὼν αὐτῶν πάντως ἐπεδείκνυτο ἀρχαῖος Αἰγύπτιος ἱερεὺς ὤν. Ἐγὼ δ' ἠπόρουν εἰ εἰδείη τὰ περὶ Καλλικράτους. Ἐν καιρῷ μέντοι ἔμελλον μανθάνειν. Ὁ δὲ ἄνθρωπος ἐλάλει τῇ τῶν ἀρχαίων Αἰγυπτίων γλώσσῃ.

Watch you for many days, strange men. Now you come with Billali!

Multos dies speculor vos, peregrini. Nunc venite cum Villatico!

Πολλὰς ἡμέρας κατασκοπῶ ὑμᾶς, ξένοι. Νῦν ἔρχεσθε σὺν Βιλλαρικῷ.

Do you plan to kill us, Billali?

Estne tibi consilium nos interficiendi, o Villatice?

Ἆρα γνώμην ἔχεις ἀποκτεῖναι ἡμᾶς, ὦ Βιλλαρικέ;

My Amahaggar people would kill you. No like strangers. But I have come to guide you. She orders it!

Amagerrhæi populus meus vos interfecerint. Peregrini non placent. Ego autem veni ducere vos. Illa jubet!

Ἀμαγερραῖοι λαός μου ἀποκτείναιεν ἂν ὑμᾶς. ξενοὶ οὐκ ἀρέσκουσιν. Ἐγὼ δ' ἐλήλυθα ἄγειν ὑμᾶς. Ἐκείνη κελεύει.

Who is she?

She-who-must-be-obeyed! The white queen of the land of Kor!

Quis est illa?

Illa cui obœdire oportet. Regina alba terræ Cori!

Τίς ἐστιν ἐκείνη;

Ἐκείνη ᾗ δεῖ πειθαρχεῖν. Βασίλισσα λευκὴ γῆς Κόρου.

[bedwere]

Image 18


Leo spoke to me in English. Billali did not understand.

Deinde, Leone Anglice mihi loquente, Villaricus non intellexit.

Ἔπειτα, Λέοντος Ἀγγλιστί μοι λαλοῦντος, Βιλλαρικὸς οὐ συνῆκεν.

She! The white queen of Kor! We’re on the right track!

Illa, regina alba Cori! Recte pervestigamus!

Ἐκείνη, ἡ λευκὴ βασίλισσα Κόρου. Ὀρθῶς ἀνιχνεύομεν.

I hope it does not cost us our lives!

Ne hoc nos perdat!

Μὴ τοῦτο ἀπολέσαι ἡμᾶς.

My men will carry you on litters. Swamp journey is long and treacherous. Make haste!

Viri mei portabunt vos in lecticis. Iter per paludem longum et periculosum. Festinate!

Ἄνδρες μου βαστάσουσιν ὑμᾶς ἐν φορείοις. Ὁδὸς διὰ τέλματος μακρὰ καὶ ἐπικίνδυνος. Σπεύδετε.

I wonder what reason there is for haste in a land where people speak an ancient Egyptian language and are ruled by a queen who is said to have lived for two thousand years!

Dubito qua de causa nobis festinandum sit, cum hic homines antiquorum lingua Ægyptiorum loquentes regantur a regina quæ dicitur duo milia annorum vixisse.

Ἀπορῶ διὰ τί δεῖ ἡμᾶς σπεύδειν, τῶν αὐτοῦ ἀνθρώπων λαλούντων τῇ τῶν ἀρχαίων Αἰγυπτίων γλώσσῃ καὶ ἀρχομένων ὑπὸ βασιλίσσης λεγομένης γε δισχίλια ἔτη βεβιωκέναι.

It was for this journey I had raised Leo. Twenty years of preparation to seek the white queen of Kor, murderess of Kallikrates!

Billali!

Help!

Propter vero iter hoc docueram Leonem, viginti annos parans eum quærere reginam albam Cori, homicidam Callicratis.

Villatice!

Succurrite!

Πρὸς μὴν ταύτην τὴν πορείαν ἐπεπαιδεύκη Λέοντα, εἴκοσιν ἔτη παρασκευάζων αὐτὸν ζητεῖν τὴν λευκὴν βασίλισσαν Κόρου, τὴν φονεύτριαν Καλλικράτους.

Βιλλαρικέ.

Βοηθήσατε.

[bedwere]

Image 19


What happened?
Billali slipped and fell!
I am lost!

Quid accidit?
Villaticus lapsus cecidit!
Pereo!

Τί ἐγένετο;
Βιλλαρικὸς ὀλισθήσας πέπτωκεν.
Ἀπόλλυμαι.

Why don’t they help him?
They are afraid!
I’ll save Billali.

Cur non succurrunt?
Quia pavent!
Ipse Villaticum salvum faciam!

Διὰ τί οὐ βοηθοῦσιν;
Ὅτι φοβοῦνται.
Αὐτὸς σώσω Βιλλαρικόν.

[bedwere]

Image 20


Hurry!

Festina!

Σπεῦδε.

Billali was our only hope. If he died, the Amahaggar would have killed us in cold blood!

Villaticus vero erat una spes nostra. Nam si mortuus esset, Amagerrhæi nos trucidavisset!

Ὁ δὴ Βιλλαρικὸς ἦν ἡ μόνη ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν. Εἰ γὰρ ἀπέθανεν, οἱ Ἀμαγερραῖοι ἀπέσφαξαν ἂν ἡμᾶς.

My friend! I will never forget that you saved my life. In the days ahead you may ask of me a favor. Be sure I will grant you any favor you ask!

Amice mi, numquam obliviscar te salvum me fecisse. In posterum fortasse gratiam a me petiveris. Profecto tibi concedam quodcumque petiveris.

Φίλε μου, οὔποτε ἐπιλήσομαί σού με σώσαντος. Ὕστερον ἴσως αἰτήσειας ἄν με χάριν. Ἀληθῶς συγχωρήσω σοι ὅ,τι ἂν αἰτήσῃς.

We started forward again. Little did I imagine the sight that would greet my eyes when I awakened in the morning!

Postea iterum profecti sumus. Mane autem surgens nequaquam conjectassem quod in oculis apparuit.

Ἔπειτα δὲ πάλιν ὡρμήσαμεν. Πρωῒ δ' ἐγερθεὶς οὐδαμῶς ἂν ᾔκασα ὃπερ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἐφάνη.

[bedwere]

Image 21
Image 22

Home of the Amahaggar. A mile-deep volcanic crater, seven miles wide. A strange remote land within a strange land, where the Amahagger people, remnants of an ancient race, lived out their lives in rock caves!

Ecce patria Amagerrhæorum, scilicet crater mille passuum altus, septem autem millia latus. Terra vero mira atque remota intra terram miram, ubi populus Amagerrhæorum, reliquiæ gentis antiquæ, vivebat in cavernis!

Ἰδοὺ ἡ πατρὶς τῶν Ἀμαγερραίων, δηλαδὴ κρατήρ τις ὀκτὼ μὲν σταδίους τὸ βάθος, ἑξήκοντα δὲ τὸ εὖρος. Γῆ δὴ θαυμασία καὶ κεχωρισμένη ἐν γῇ θαυμασίᾳ, ὅπου ὁ τῶν Ἀμαγερραίων λαὸς καταλειφθεὶς γένους ἀρχαίου ἐβιότευεν ἐν ἄντροις.

[bedwere]

Image 23


What do you make of this, uncle Holly?

It dates back to the early kings of Ra!

Quid de hoc censes, avuncule Ilex?

Factum est tempore antiquorum regum Ra!

Τί δοκεῖ σοι περὶ τούτου, θεῖε Πρῖνε;

Ἐποιήθη ἐπὶ τῶν ἀρχαίων βασιλέων Ῥά.

Keep your hand on your gun.

You are the white queen… She!

Habe manum ad sclopetum!

Tu es regina alba... Illa!

Ἔχε τὴν χεῖραν ἐπὶ τῷ πυροβόλῳ.

Σὺ εἶ ἡ λευκὴ βασίλισσα... Ἐκείνη.

[bedwere]

Image 24


No! I am Ustane, proud daughter of Amahaggar.

White queen sits on her throne in the palace of Kor.

Leo could not resist the exotic Egyptian nymph.

Non, verum Statia sum, gloriosa filia Amagerrhæorum.

Regina alba sedet super solium in regia Coris.

Leo ne potuit quidem peregrinæ ex Ægypto virgini obsistere.

Οὐχί, ἀλλὰ Στατή εἰμί, ἔνδοξος θυγάτηρ Ἀμαγερραίων .

Βασίλισσα λευκὴ κάθηται ἐπὶ θρόνου ἐν βασιλείοις Κόρου.

Λέων μὲν οὐκ ἐδυνήθη τῇ ξένῃ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου νύμφῃ ἐνίστασθαι.

I was struck by Leo’s amazing resemblance to the lost race of Egypt. He belonged to this ancient land!

You are my husband, Ustane is your wife!

Ego autem mirans animadverti Leonem ablatis ex Ægypto gentilibus similem esse. Pertinebat enim isti antiquæ terræ!

Tu vir meus, Statia uxor tua!

Ἐγὼ δ' ἐνεθυμήθην θαυμάζων Λέοντα ἐοικότα τοῖς ἠφανισμένοις ἐκ τῆς Αἰγύπτου ὁμοεθνέσι. Προσῆκεν γὰρ ταύτῃ τῇ ἀρχαίᾳ γῇ.

Σὺ ἀνήρ μου, Στατὴ γυνή σου.

[bedwere]

Image 25


Mohamed seemed next in line for matrimony.

No! No! You strange people!

Mahometus videbatur mox nuptias celebraturus.

Nequaquam! Vos homines alieni!

Μουχαμέτης ἐδόκει αὐτίκα ποιήσειν γάμους.

Μηδαμῶς. Ὑμεῖς ἄνθρωποι ἀλλότριοι.

An odd custom of the Amahaggar people. The women choose their own husbands. Leo and Ustane are wed as long as he stays here.

Θαυμάσιον ἔθος λαοῦ Ἀμαγερραίου· γυναῖκες αἱροῦνται ἑαυτῶν ἄνδρας. Λέων καὶ Στατὴ γεγαμήκασιν ἕως αὐτὸς παρ' ἡμῖν μένει.

Mirus mos populi Amagerrhæi: mulieres sibi suos viros capiunt. Leo et Statia nuptiis juncti sunt dum ipse apud nos manet.

No want man with beard. Do not trust black beard!

Dangerous people! Leo is young. He fails to see that this so-called marriage can complicate the search for the white queen.

Non cupio barbatum. Non confido barbæ nigræ!

Populus periculosus! Cum Leo adolescens sit, non videt quomodo istis, ut ita dicam, nuptiis inquisitio reginæ albæ impeditior fieri possit.

Οὐκ ἐπιθυμέω πωγωνίου. Οὐ πιστεύω πώγωνι μέλανι.

Λαὸς ἐπικίνδυνος. Λέων δὲ νεανίας ὤν, οὐχ ὁρᾷ πῶς τούτοις, ὡς εἰπεῖν, γάμοις ἡ τῆς λευκῆς βασιλίσσης ζήτησις ἐμποδίζοιτο ἄν.

Billali must leave you for now. You have good time... banquet...much to eat!

Nunc Villarico abeundum est a vobis. Avete... convivium... multi cibi!

Νῦν δεῖ Βιλλαρικὸν ἀπαλλαχθῆναι ὑμῶν. Εὐψυχεῖτε... συμπόσιον... πολλὰ ἐδέσματα.

[bedwere]

Image 26


The woman spurned by Mohamed…

An odd banquet.. no food in sight! The Amahaggar seemed angry because Mahomed had refused to marry the woman.

Mulier a Mahometo recusata...

Mirum convivium! Nullus enim cibus erat in conspectu! Amagerrhæi autem irati videbantur quia Mahometus ducere uxorem recusavisset.

Ἡ γυνὴ Μουχαμέτῃ ἀνανενευμένη.

Θαυμάσιον συμπόσιον. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἓν ἔδεσμα ἦν ἐν ὄψει. Οἱ δ' Ἀμαγερραῖοι ὀργιζόμενοι ἐφαίνοντο ὅτι Μουχαμέτης ἀνανεύσειε γαμεῖν τὴν γυναῖκα.

A large pot was heated in the flames.

Your revolver, Leo! Shoot! Or Mahomed will die!

Olla magna flammis urebatur.

Sclopetum, Leo! Jace aut Mahometus morietur!

Χύτρα μεγάλη φλοξὶν ἐκαίετο.

Τὸ περίστροφον, Λέον. Βάλε ἢ Μουχαμέτης ἀποθανεῖται.

[bedwere]

Image 27


We broke loose in the confusion.

Run for it! Outside!

A boulder makes a good fort!

E tumultu nos eripuimus.

Eja, excurre!

Saxum fit utile castellum!

Ἐκ δὲ τοῦ θορύβου ἐξωρμήσαμεν.

Εἶα, ἔκδραμε.

Πέτρος γίγνεται χρηστὸν φρούριον.

I was glad I had taught Leo to shoot straight!

Bullseye, Uncle Holly!

Leo was seriously wounded. Perhaps fatally.

Gunfire could not stop the Amahaggar!

Gavisus sum quod Leonem docueram recta jaculari.

In scopum, avuncule Ilex!

Leo autem sæve vulneratus prope aderat quin moriretur.

Νam utentes sclopetis non potuimus arcere Amagerrhæos.

Ἐχάρην μὲν παιδεύσας Λέοντα εὐθὺ βάλλειν.

Ἐπὶ σκοπόν, θεῖε Πρῖνε.

Λέων δὲ χαλεπῶς τραυματισθεὶς ἐκινδύνευε ἀποθανεῖν.

Χρώμενοι γὰρ τοῖς πυροβόλοις οὐκ ἐδυνήθημεν εἴργειν τοὺς Ἀμαγερραίους.

[bedwere]

Image 28
Image 29

Stop in the name of She!

Leo is wounded! His side has been pierced by a spear!

Silence! She comes!

Cessate in nomine Illius!

Leo vulneratus est! Nam unus istorum lancea latus ejus aperuit!

Silete! Illa venit!

Λήγετε ἐν ὀνόματι Ἐκείνης.

Λέων τέτρωται. Εἷς γὰρ τούτων λόγχῃ αὐτοῦ τὴν πλευρὰν ἔνυξεν.

Σιγᾶτε. Ἐκείνη ἔρχεται.

The white queen!

Dogs! Let the fighting cease!

Welcome to the land of Kor!

Regina alba.

Canes, desinite pugnare!

Recipio vos in terram Cori!

Ἡ λευκὴ βασίλισσα.

Κύνες, παύσασθε μαχόμενοι.

Ὑποδέχομαι ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν γῆν Κόρου.

[bedwere]

Image 30

She believed in the Egyptian idea that the dead came back to earth in new bodies.

Illa autem hoc Ægyptiorum persuasum habebat, animas post mortem in alia corpora ingredi.

Ἐκείνη δὲ τῷδε τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ἐπέπειστο, ὅτι αἱ ψυχαὶ μετὰ τὸν θάνατον εἰς ἄλλα σώματα ἐνδύοιντο.

Two thousand years have I waited for the return in the flesh of one whom I loved, but murdered in a jealous rage. His name was Kallicrates.

Duo milia annorum expecto incarnationem amasii quidem mei, quem autem ob zelotypiam irata occidi. Nomen vero ei Callicrates.

Δισχίλια ἔτη ἀναμένω τὴν σάρκωσιν τοῦ μὲν ἐρωμένου μου, ὃν δὲ διὰ ζηλοτυπίαν ὀργισθεῖσα ἐφόνευσα. Ὄνομα δὴ αὐτῷ Καλλικράτης.

That is why you have been brought here. I hope that each passing traveler will be my beloved Kallicrates.

Propterea huc adducti estis. Spero enim quemque hac iter facientem Callicratem meum dilectum fore.

Διὰ τοῦτο οὖν δεῦρο ἤχθητε. Ἐλπίζω γὰρ ἕκαστόν τινα τῇδε πορευόμενον Καλλικράτην μου τὸν ἀγαπητὸν ἔσεσθαι.

I have found the secret of life for ever! The pillar of flame!

She believed that the dead Kallikrates would return to the earth alive!

Inveni secretum vitæ æternæ, columnam ardentem!

Illa ergo persuasum habebat mortuum Callicratem fore ut in terris reviviscat.

Εὔρηκα τὸ ἀπόρρητον ζωῆς αἰωνίου, τὴν φλεγομένην κίονα.

Ἐκείνη οὖν ἐπέπειστο τὸν τεθνηκότα Καλλικράτην κατὰ τὴν γῆν ἀναζήσειν.

When Kallikrates returns, I will show him the secret of life for ever. We will bathe in the pillar of flame!

Who is this man? Can it be?

Cum Callicrates reversus erit, monstrabo ei secretum vitæ æternæ. Lavabimur enim in columna ardenti!

Quis homo ’st? Num fieri potest?

Ὅταν Καλλικράτης ἐπανέλθῃ, δείξω αὐτῷ τὸ ἀπόρρητον ζωῆς αἰωνίου. Λουσόμεθα γὰρ ἐν τῇ φλεγομένῃ κίονι.

Τίς ἅνθρωπος; Ἆρα τοῦτο δυνατόν;

[bedwere]

Image 31


She believed Kallicrates had returned to earth at last.

Kallikrates! You have come back to me!

Et Illa persuasum habebat Callicratem tandem ad terram rediisse.

O Callicrates, ad me rediisti!

Καὶ Ἐκείνη ἐπέπειστο Καλλικράτην εἰς τὴν γῆν διὰ χρόνου τοσούτου ἐπανεληλυθέναι.

Ὦ Καλλίκρατες, ἐπανελήλυθας παρ' ἐμέ.


Kallikrates! I have waited two thousand years for your soul to journey through the spirit world and return to me in the flesh!

He is badly wounded, unconscious and on the verge of death!

O Callicrates, duo milia annorum expecto dum anima tua, itinere per Orcum perfecto, incarnata ad me redeat.

Sæve vulneratus est, sensu caret, moribundus videtur.

Ὦ Καλλίκρατες, δισχίλια ἔτη ἀναμένω ἕως ἂν ἡ ψυχή σου, πορευθεῖσα διὰ τοῦ Αἵδου καὶ σαρκώσασα, παρὰ ἐμὲ ἐπανέλθῃ.

Χαλεπῶς τέτρωται, ἀναίσθητός ἐστι, καὶ ὅσον οὐ τελευτῶν.

An ancient Egyptian drug that will save him from death!

I allowed She to minister to the dying Leo. I could not help him. She might. I had heard much of the amazing cures of Egypt.

Ecce, medicamentum antiquorum Ægyptiorum quod eum salvum faciet.

Concessi ergo Illi ut Leoni morienti mederetur. Nam ego non poteram eum juvare. Illa autem fortasse posset. Multa enim de mirificis medicinis Aegyptiorum audiveram.

Ἰδού, φάρμακον τῶν ἀρχαίων Αἰγυπτίων, τὸ σῶσον αὐτόν.

Eἴασα οὖν Ἐκείνην θεραπεύειν τὸν Λέοντα ἀποθνῄσκοντα. Ἔγωγε μὲν γὰρ οὐκ ἐδυνάμην ὠφελεῖν αὐτόν. Ἐκείνη δὲ τάχ’ ἂν ἐδύνατο. Πολλὰ γὰρ ἠκηκόη περὶ τῶν θαυμαστῶν ἰαμάτων τῶν Αἰγυπτίων.

How strange if Leo would come to love this evil woman who had murdered the first of the Vincey family!

I love you, Kallikrates!

Quam mirum si Leo istam scelestam, quæ primogenitum familiæ Vinciææ ceciderat, amaturus fuisset!

Te amo, o Callicrates!

Ὡς θαυμαστὸν εἰ Λέων ἔμελλεν ἐρᾶν ταύτης τῆς πονηρᾶς τῆς φονεύσης τὸν τοῦ Οὐιγκιαίου οἴκου πρωτότοκον.

Σοῦ ἐρῶ, ὦ Καλλίκρατες.

[mwh]

Et Illa persuasum habebat Callicratem in terras postremo rediisse.
>tandem ad terram

Καὶ Ἐκείνη ἐπέπειστο Καλλικράτην εἰς τὴν γῆν τὸ τελευταῖον ἐπανεληλυθέναι.
>διὰ χρόνου τοσούτου

Καλλίκρατες, ἐπανελήλυθας παρ' ἐμέ.
>ὦ Κ.,

Sæve vulneratus est, sensu caret, in præcipiti 'st.
>moribundus videtur.

Χαλεπῶς τέτρωται, ἀναίσθητός ἐστιν, εἰς τὸ ἔσχατον ἐλήλυθεν.
>καὶ ὅσον οὐ τελευτῶν.

Ecce, medicamentum antiquorum Ægyptiorum quod eum salvum faciat.
>faciet.

Nam ego non poteram eum juvare. Illa autem potuisset.
>, Illa autem fortasse posset. (potuisset suggests she could have done but didn’t.)

Συνεχώρησα οὖν Ἐκείνῃ θεραπεύειν τὸν ἀποθνῄσκοντα Λέοντα.
>εἴασα οὖν Ἐκείνην
>τὸν Λέοντα ἀποθνῄσκοντα.

Ἐκείνη δ' ἐδυνήθη ἄν.
>δὲ τάχ’ ἂν ἐδύνατο.

I had heard much of the amazing cures of Egypt.
multa enim de mirificis medicinis Aegyptiorum audiveram
πολλὰ γαρ …

Ὡς θαυμαστὸν εἰ Λέων ἐμέλλησεν ἐρᾶν ταύτης τῆς πονηρᾶς φονεύσης τὸν τοῦ Οὐιγκιαίου οἴκου πρωτότοκον.
>ἐμέλλεν
>τῆς φονεύσης

Σοῦ ἐρῶ, Καλλίκρατες.
>ὦ Κ.

Hope this helps. Do ask if you don’t see the reason for the suggested change. It still reads very English and flat, and I haven’t done much about that.

[bedwere]

Thank you!

[Callisper]

(Disclaimer: I have not read most of it)

Τίνα ὁδὸν βαδιούμεθα;
> ποτέραν

In fact you could take a hint from Xenophon here maybe:

φησὶ γὰρ Ἡρακλέα, ἐπεὶ ἐκ παίδων εἰς ἥβην ὡρμᾶτο, ἐν ᾗ οἱ νέοι ἤδη αὐτοκράτορες γιγνόμενοι δηλοῦσιν εἴτε τὴν δι᾽ ἀρετῆς ὁδὸν τρέψονται ἐπὶ τὸν βίον εἴτε τὴν διὰ κακίας, ἐξελθόντα εἰς ἡσυχίαν καθῆσθαι ἀποροῦντα ποτέραν τῶν ὁδῶν τράπηται (Memorabilia 2.1.21)

I'm interested to know the goal of this exercise? Is it to improve your own Latin/Greek, create a pedagogical tool, ...? And why did you choose this book?

[Callisper]

Nam ego non poteram eum juvare. Illa autem potuisset.
>, Illa autem fortasse posset. (potuisset suggests she could have done but didn’t.)

Wouldn't posset imply lack of fulfillment? I think that's what's generally implied by a potential imperfect subjunctive. Or does posse work differently? (I wouldn't be surprised)

I agree with your comment on potuisset of course.

[mwh]

ἐμέλλεν > ἔμελλεν. (Sorry about that. In changing the ending of your ἐμέλλησεν I neglected to change the accent.)

[bedwere]

I'm interested to know the goal of this exercise? Is it to improve your own Latin/Greek, create a pedagogical tool, ...? And why did you choose this book?

I like comic books. That's how I learned to read as a child. So they are, at least for me, a great pedagogical tool. When I was in high school,. I liked to translate from Italian to Latin. Now this exercise helps me remember the grammar and improve my knowledge of phraseology. I chose this book because it is in the public domain, has good graphics, and the story (so archetypal!) is very engaging.
I do recommend you read the real thing, the book, which has Greek composition (and Latin translation) within! Much better than mine, needless to say. If you are interested, I completed the translations of BenHur and Aladdin. They are also available for free on archive.org, or you can order printed copies on Lulu.

[bedwere]

ἐμέλλεν > ἔμελλεν. (Sorry about that. In changing the ending of your ἐμέλλησεν I neglected to change the accent.)

Thank you. I should have known myself.

[mwh]

Callisper, Sorry, I missed your post. Thanks for querying posset. possit would have been better, wouldn’t it? (That may be what I meant to write.) But I suppose we should really be in oratio obliqua for this bit, e.g. Illam fort. posse putabam. That conveniently dodges the question of both tense and mood (unless you’d prefer periphrastic future, rather cumbersome).

My own disclaimer: I haven’t read more than these particular bits myself. I look in on these threads of bedwere's only very occasionally (he has an Aesop’s fables one too) and suggest a change or two, whereupon he usually goes back and edits his original post to silently adopt my suggestions (without signalling an edit—hey, he’s a Moderator, he can do things like that).