Carpe Diem: Odes 1:11 - Horace
Everyone knows the phrase “Carpe Diem,” or “seize the day,” but did you know where it comes from? The well-known Roman poet, Horace, gave the phrase its eternal fame in his book of poems, Odes (23 B.C.)
Poetry can be interpreted in many ways, even when read in the language in which it was written. But translating poetry presents a whole new challenge. Meaning and wording varies across languages and eras, cultural references and turns of phrase can be lost in translation or time. When a poem is translated, the translator must make choices as to how to best represent the poet’s meaning - their poetry, not just their word-for-word text.
Now imagine how hard it is to translate a poem that was written in a different language, thousands of years ago.
Below you can find my literal translation of Horace’s Odes passage I:XI. I’ve also included three other poets’ translations of the work for comparison. It is interesting to note that none of these translators knew what the Babylonian Numbers were. They refer to them as ‘calculations’ or ‘numerology,’ however the Babylonian Numbers were an ancient system of astrology using mathematics of celestial objects and planets.
Horace:
I.XI
Tu ne quaesieris (scire nefas) quem mihi, quem tibi
finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babylonios
temptaris numeros. Ut melius quicquid erit pati!
Seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,
quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare 5
Tyrrhenum, sapias, vina liques et spatio brevi
spem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit invida
aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
My literal Translation:
You, do not seek (it is a crime to know) the end which the gods have given to me and to you, Leuconoe, nor attempt the Babylonian numbers. How it is better to endure whatever will be! Whether Jupiter allotted many winters or a final one, which now weakens the Tyrrhenian sea with placed against stones: be wise, may you strain wine and may you restrain long hope for a brief while. While we speak, envious time will have fled: seize the day, to the least extent possible trusting in the next one.
Classical Studies Support Translation:
You should not ask – to know is a sin – which end
the gods have given to me, or to you, Leuconoe, nor
should you meddle with Babylonian calculations. How much better to suffer
whatever will be, whether Jupiter gives us more winters, or whether this is our last
which now weakens the Tyrrhenian sea on the pumice stones
opposing it. Be wise, strain the wine, and cut back long hope
into a small space. While we talk, envious time will
have fled: pluck the day, trusting as little as possible to the future.
Poem Hunter Translation:
Leuconoë, don’t ask, we never know, what fate the gods grant us,
whether your fate or mine, don’t waste your time on Babylonian,
futile, calculations. How much better to suffer what happens,
whether Jupiter gives us more winters or this is the last one,
one debilitating the Tyrrhenian Sea on opposing cliffs.
Be wise, and mix the wine, since time is short: limit that far-reaching hope.
The envious moment is flying now, now, while we’re speaking:
Seize the day, place in the hours that come as little faith as you can.
Carpe Diem Jewelry Translation:
Don't ask (it's forbidden to know) what end the gods have given me or you, Leuconoe.
Don't play with Babylonian numerology either.
How much better it is to endure whatever will be!
Whether Jupiter has allotted you many more winters or this one,
which even now wears out the Tyrrhenian sea on the opposing rocks, is the final one be wise,
be truthful, strain the wine, and scale back your long hopes to a short period.
While we speak, envious time will have {already} fled:
seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the next day.
Bibliography:
carpe diem | seize the day – Carpe Diem