Archpoet

The Archpoet (c. 1130 – c. 1165), or Archipoeta (in Latin and German), is the name given to the author of some ten known poems from medieval Latin literature, the most famous of these being his "Confession" found within the Carmina Burana. Along with Hugh Primas of Orléans, he is often cited as the best exemplar of Goliardic poetry and one of the stellar poets of the Latin Middle Ages.

"Confession"
Translations are from Helen Waddell, Mediaeval Latin Lyrics, 1933 [1929].


 * Estuans intrinsecus ira vehementi in amaritudine loquar meę menti: factus de materia levis elementi similes sum folio de quo ludunt venti.
 * Seething over inwardly With fierce indignation, In my bitterness of soul, Hear my declaration. I am of one element, Levity my matter, Like enough a withered leaf For the winds to scatter.
 * Line 1


 * Feror ego veluti sine nauta navis, ut per vias aeris vaga fertur avis, non me tenent vincula, non me tenet clavis, Quęro mihi similes, et adiungor pravis.
 * Hither, thither, masterless Ship upon the sea, Wandering through the ways of air, Go the birds like me. Bound am I by ne’er a bond, Prisoner to no key, Questing go I for my kind, Find depravity.
 * Line 17


 * Quicquid Venus imperat Labor est suavis, quę nunquam in cordibus habitat ignavis.
 * Whatsoever Venus bids Is a joy excelling, Never in an evil heart Did she make her dwelling.
 * Line 29


 * Mortuus in anima curam gero cutis.
 * Since the soul in me is dead, Better save the skin.
 * Line 39


 * Meum est propositum in taberna mori, ut sint vina proxima morientis ori.
 * For on this my heart is set: When the hour is nigh me, Let me in the tavern die, With a tankard by me.
 * Line 89