A Few Words about Cornish
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| Original English | Original Cornish | SWF | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A FEW WORDS ABOUT CORNISH | NEBBAZ GERRIAU DRO THO CARNOACK | NEBES GERYOW A-DRO DHE GERNOWEK | A FEW WORDS ABOUT CORNISH |
| Our Cornish tongue hath been so long in the Wane, that We can hardly hope to see it increase again, for as the English confined it into this narrow Countrey first, so it presseth on still leaving it no Place but about the Cliff & Sea, it being almost only spoken from the Lands-End to the Mount & towards St Ives and Redruth, and again from the Lizard to Helston, and towards Falmouth: | Gun tavas Carnoack eu mar pu gwadn hez, uz na ellen skant quatiez tho e wellaz crefhe arta, rag car dreeg an sausen e thanen en pow idden ma an kensa, an delna ema stella teggo warno tha hep garra th tha telhar veeth buz dro tho an Aulz ha an more, el eu a va clappiez lebben oggastigh eu durt pedn an wollaz tho an karrack looez, ha tuah Pereeah ha Redruth, ha arta durt an Lizard tuah Helles ha Falmouth: | Agan tavas Kernowek yw mar bell gwadnhes, es na ellyn skant gwaytyas dh'y weles krefhe arta, rag pekar dell wrug an Sowson y dhanon e'n pow ydn ma an kensa, andelna yma stella ow tegi warnodho, heb gara dhodho teller veth bus a-dro dhe'n als ha'n mor. Oll ywa va klappyes lebmyn ogasti yw dhort Pedn an Wlas dhe'n Garrek Loos, ha tu ha Porth Ia ha Resrudh, hag arta dhort an Lesard tu ha Hellys hag Aberfala: | Our Cornish language is so far weakened that we can hardly hope to see it strengthen again, for as did the Saxons first send it to this narrow land, thus it is still pressing against it without allowing it any place at all, but around the coast and the sea. All it is spoken now is almost from Land's End to St Michael's Mount, and towards St Ives and Redruth, and again from the Lizard towards Helston and Falmouth: |
| and these parts in the narrowest two Necks of Land, containing about twenty Miles in Length, and not quarter or half that Breadth, within which little Extent also there is more of English spoken than of Cornish, for here may be found some that can hardly speak or understand Cornish, but scarce any but both understand & speak English; | ha an powna, an idna deu Codna teer ez en hester a dro tha iggans moldeer, ha buz quarter, en po hanter an lester na; en telhar idden ma ha gul ma mouy Sousenack clappiez dre eza Curnooack, rag radden el bose keevez na el skant clappia, na guthvaz Curnooack, buz skant Denveeth buz ore guthvaz ha clappia Sousenack; | Ha'n pow na, an ydna dew godna-tir eus en hester a-dro dhe ugens mildir, ha bus kwarter po hanter an lester na; E'n teller ydn ma hag oll yma moy Sowsnek klappyes dell eus Kernowek, rag radn a ell bos kevys na ell skant klappya na godhvos Kernowek, bus skant den vyth a wor godhvos ha klappya Sowsnek. | And that land, the narrowest two peninsulas that are in width around twenty miles, and but a quarter or half that width. In this narrow place and all there is more English spoken than there is Cornish, for some can be found who can hardly speak or understand Cornish, but scarcely anyone who can't understand and speak English. |
| therefore it seems difficult to stay & recover it again, for the old Men dying away, We find the young Men to speak it less and less, and worse & worse, and so it is like to decay from Time to Time. | rag hedna he volden kallick eue tho gweel dotha gurtaz ha dose a dro arta, rag ugge an Teez goth tho merwal akar, ny a wele an Teez younk tho e clappia le ha le, ha lacka ha lacka, ha an delna eue a vedden beha durt Termen tho Termen. | Rag hedna, yth hevel dhemm, kales yw gwul dhodho gortos ha dos a-dro arta, rag woja an tus goth dhe verwel en-kerdh, nei a wel an tus yonk dh'y glappya le ha le, ha lacka ha lacka, hag andelna ev a vedn lehe dhort termyn dhe dermyn | Therefore, it seems to me, it is difficult to make it stay and come back again, for after the old people have died out, we see the young people speaking it less and less, and worse and worse, and thus it will lessen from time to time |
| Because the English Dialect & Pronunciation *** where in the Land (the Towns & Cities only excepted) *** neither are the old Folks to be depended upon, as you will find by this instance about the Sieur Angwyn,[1] the greatest & the eldest of the late Proffessors of our Cornish Tongue, Who being desired to interpret Gevern Anko, prepossessed with the thoughts of Gever which signifieth Goates, & perplexed about Anko, concluded it was Goats all: Whereas it signifies the Bounds of the Hundred; Gevern He knew to be the Hundred, but forgot that the Word Ko was Cornish for remembring. | Rag an Tavaz Sousenack clappies mar da vel en telhar weth en wollaz evez [an metherwin an *****na] na gu an Pobel Coth tho bose skoothez war noniel, kar dre vedno why gwellaz urt hemma dro tho an Empack Angwin an brauza ha an cotha Fratier mesk ul an clappiers Carnoack a dewethaz rag guffiniez tho dismiggia, Gevern Anko, eue a reeg peverre war Gever, ha meskeeges dro tho Anko, eue levarraz droua Gever ul, eue a wya dro, Gevern buz nekovaz dro an geer ko dewethaz durt perhen Ko. | Rag an taves Sowsnek [yw] klappyes mar dha avel en teller veth e'n wlas a-ves [...] Nag yw an pobel koth dhe vos skoodhys war naneyl, pekar dell vednowgh hwei gweles orth hebma a-dro dhe'n Empyrik Angwin, an broassa ha'n kottha skoler en-mesk oll an klappyers Kernowek a-dhiwedhes. Rag govydnys dhe dhismygi “Geverangow”, ev a wrug prederi war “gever”, ha muskegys a-dro dhe “anko”, ev a lavaras dell o va “gever oll”, ev a woya a-dro dhe “gevern” bus a nakovas a-dro dhe'n ger “kov”, devedhys dhort “porth en kov”. | For the English language is spoken as well as in any place in the country outside. Nor are the old people to be relied upon either, as you will see regarding this about the Mr Angwin, the greatest and oldest scholar amongst all the Cornish speakers of late. For asked to explain “Geverangow”, he thought about “gever”, and confused about “anko”, he said that it was “gever oll”, he knew about “gevern” but forgot about the word “kov”, derived from “porth en kov”. |
| Something like this I have heard about Mean Obmer karack;[2] therefore if any Attempt be made about preserving the Cornish, it must be by such as are perfect Natives, & good Scholars, scarce to be found; for there are but few, but two or three that I know of; whereof one[3] is of more special Skill & Learning than any that have been this long Time before, or that will come after in all Likelihood; | Tra an pa***Me a glowaz dro tha an Karack Mean Omber; rag hedna mar peth travith gwrez tho gwetha Curnooack, eue a dale bose gen kine eu ginnez ubba, ha Deskez da, kevez buz [na] mennau; rag na genz buz nebbas buz deu po try a orama anetha, mesk an gy wonen eu gwenhez ha Deskez, drez ul an rerol a ue derarta enge polta, po vedn dose ugge va drez lirkland | Tra a'n par-na my a glowas a-dro dhe'n garrek Men Omber; rag hedna mar pedh tra vyth gwres dhe witha Kernowek, ev a dal bos gen ken yw genys obma, ha deskys da, kevys bus [na] menowgh; rag nag ens bus nebes, dew po trei a wora'ma anedha, en-mesk anjei onen yw gwannhes ha deskys, dres oll an re erel a veu dheragtan'jei polta, po a vedn dos woja va dres lycklod. | I heard something like that about the rock Mean Omber; therefore if something is to be done to save Cornish, it must be by others that are born here, and well learned, found but not often, for they are but few, just two or three that I know of, among them one is […?...] and learned, beyond all the others that were long before them, or will likely come after him. |
| so that except it be now done, it is never likely to be at all hereafter, having so much Skill in Languages as the Greek, Hebrew, &c., of which I heard him say that the Cornish carries a very near Likeness. If that learned Wise Man should happen to see this, doubtless He would find Cause to correct it in Orthography, &c. | an delna eu penaveth ab peth gwrez, lebben it an scant vedna bose gwrez uggehemma, vos deshava marveer Guthvaz an l...az Tavaz pokarra tha Greckian, Hebran;...Me glowaz lever ******* Markressa, an Dean deskez teer na gwellaz hemma * * a venya kavaz fraga e ouna en screffa composter, &c. | Andelna yth yw, a pe na vedh neppeth gwres lebmyn etto, skant y fedn ev bos gwres woja hemma, ow pos dhodho va mar veur godhvos a lies tavas pekar ha Grek, Hebrow, etc. My a glowas […] Mar kwressa an den deskys fur na gweles hemma, ev a venja kavos fraga y owna en skrifa-komposter, etc. | Thus it is, if something be not done now in it, scarcely will it be done hereafter, him having such a large knowledge of many languages such as Greek, Hebrew, etc. I heard [...] If that learned wise man would see this, he would find cause to emend it in orthography, etc. |
| However this may pass for a vulgar Essay; for I have never seen any of the antient British Writings; the Characters on that stately Tombstone in Burian Church We know not what to make of,[4] & another Stone in Maddern in the Downs of Bosolo calld the Written Stone to this day bearing Letters as unknown.[5] | Whath Hemma el mose rag bonogath leig; rag na rigga ve beska gwellaz skreef Bretten Coth veeth; an letherau war an Mean beath ez en Eglez Burian na oren pendra tho weel anotha, ha Mean orrol en Madern en Gunneau Boslo henwez Mean scriffez tho an Jorna ma tegge na orren panna Letherau noniel; | Hwath hemma a ell mos rag […???...]; rag na wrugav vy byskath gweles skrif Bretennek coth vyth; an letherow war an men bedh eus yn eglos Buryan, na woryn pandra dhe wul anodho, ha men aral en Madern, en Gonyow Boslo, henwys an Men Skrifa, dhe'n jorna ma ow tegi na woryn pana letherow naneyl; | Still, this may go for […?...]; for I never saw any old British writing; the letters on the gravestone which is in Buryan church, we do not know what to make of them, and another stone in Madron, in Bosullow Downs, called the Written Stone, to this day bearing we dont know what letters either; |
| What I have met with legible & intelligible is a motto on a Gentleman's Coat of Arms engraven in Silver of above a hundred year's old, a knightly ffamily[6] at present in the West of Devon, and lost 'tis like by his Steward holding Court at his Manor[7] at the Lands End; it was lately found making a Hedge & sold; He that bought it sent it unto the first Branch of that Family now planted by the Mount.[8] | an peth eu gwellez gen a vee tho bose guthnethez ha dismiggiez, eu lavar Coth gwrez war cota Dean brauze en Arganz hunt tho Canz bloath Coth lebben marrack en pedden West pow Densher, ha kellez (kar dre hevol) gen e Mab leean, mose tuah e Bargenteer en Pedden an wollas; eue ve kevez a dewethaz gen wonen reeg gweel Ke, ha gwerhez; an gwaz reeg e perna, a re...slanen tho an kensa skon ****** skon an Choy na igge tri...****nez tho an karrack glooz en Cooze. | An peth yw gwelys genev vy dhe vos godhvedhys ha dismygys, yw an lavar koth gwres war kota den broas en arghans hunt dhe gans bloodh koth, lebmyn marghek en pedn west Pow Densher, ha kellys (pekar dre hevel) gen y mab lien, ow mos tu ha'y vargen-tir en Pedn an Wlas; ev a veu kevys a-dhiwedhes gen onan a wrug gwul ke, ha gwerthys; an gwas a wrug y berna a wrug y dhanon dhe gensa skorren an chei na uji trigys nes dhe Garrek Loos an Koos. | What I have seen to be understood and explained, is the motto made on the coat of arms of a great man in silver over a hundred years old, now a knight in the west end of Devonshire, and lost (as it seems) by his clerk, going towards his manor in Land's End; it was found recently by someone who made a hedge, and sold; the man who bought it sent it to the first branch of that family who now live close to St Michael's Mount. |
| The Words on it are The Great God: giveth all Things.[9] which somewhat varies from the present Speech. so late (it seems) Cornish was in use in that County, & now it is almost disus'd in this; which to Me confirms the Conclusion of it's Discontinuance: | An Gerriau war no***** Car Dey res pyb tra, lebben nebbaz kene cowzez. Mar dewethaz (kar dre hevol) thera Curnooack en powna, ha lebben na gez buz nebbaz en powna an peth; ez gweel terem Creege drevednaua dowetha akar: | An geryow warnodho yw “Kar Duw dres pub tra”, lebmyn nebes ken kowsys. Mar dhiwedhes (pekar dre hevel) yth era Kernowek e'n pow na, ha lebmyn nag eus bus nebes e'n pow ma, (yw) an peth eus gwul dhemm kreji dre vedn ev diwedha en-kerdh: | The words on it are “Love God beyond everything”, now slightly differently said. So late, as it seems, there was Cornish in that country, and now there is not but little in this country, is what makes me think that it will finish away: |
| for myself being a native in the very Heart of this Countrey where the Cornish is most spoken yet I do remember that being about a half-a-dozen years of Age, I could neither speak nor understand it; the Reason I conceive to be a Nicety of my Mother's forbidding the Servants and Neighbours to talk to Me otherwise than In English. | Rag me a hunnen ve gennez en Collan an Powna eu an Curnooack mouyha Cowsez, ha whaeth may kothem penag oma buz dro tho wheeath Bloah Coth, na olgama e clappia, na skant e guthvaz; an where thera ma pedeere tho durt Seeanz a Dama tefna an Pobel-choy, ha an Contravagian tho clappia traveeth tho Ve buz Sousenack. | Rag my ow honen a veu genys en kolon an pow ma [mayth] yw an Kernowek moyha kowsys, ha hwath yma kov dhemm pan nag o'ma bus a-dro dhe hwegh bloodh koth, na alja'ma y glappya na skant y wodhvos. An ahwer, yth erom ow prederi, yth o dhort sians ow dama, ow tifen [orth] an bobel-chei ha'n gentrevogyon dhe glappya tra veth dhe'vy bus Sowsnek. | For I myself was born in the heart of this country, where Cornish is most spoken, and yet I remember when I was only around six years old, I could not speak it nor hardly understand it. The trouble, I think, was from my mother's whim, banning the house staff and the neighbours from speaking anything to me but English. |
| A like Case I have sometime met withall of the Lord Montaigne in his Essays about his learning Latin. And here if I may be allowd to allude unto the Great & Ancient Ausonius, | Ma kothem cavaz tra an parma en lever Arlyth an Menneth dro tho e deskanz Latten. Hag ubba mar pethama kibmiez tho gweel Semblanz gun Aulsen Coth Brose: | Yma kov dhemm kavos tra a'n par ma en lever Arlodh an Menedh a-dro dh'y dheskans Latin. Hag obma, mar pedha'ma kubmyes dhe wul semblant gen Aulsen Koth Broas: | I remember finding something like this in Lord Montaigne's book about his Latin education. And here, if I shall be permitted to make comparison with great Old Ausonius: |
| "Parvum Haerediolum Majorum Regna meorum Quod Proavus, quod Avus, quod Pater excoluit.[10] A little Heritage of homely Race My Father's, Grandfather's & Great-grandfather's Place." |
"Parvum Haerediolum Majorum regna meorum Quod Proavus, quod Avus, quod Pater excoluit. Nebbaz gun Teer, gun Treveth, ha bean Reveth, Telhar a Seera, Seera ... hinge a weth." |
"Parvum Haerediolum Majorum Regna meorum Quod Proavus, quod Avus, quod Pater excoluit." Nebes agan tir, agan treveth, ha bian reveth, Teller ow sira, sira wydn, […???...] ynwedh." |
"Parvum Haerediolum Majorum Regna meorum Quod Proavus, quod Avus, quod Pater excoluit." Little our land, or ground, and small […], The place of my father, grandfather, […] also." |
| When going abroad to School, & afterwards over to France, I do not remember that I attaind to any pass in the Cornish Tongue, untill I came to be concernd in Business; And now I do reckon to see into it almost as far as most of my Neighbours, and do much esteem it; but I cannot ascribe to it more than is meet, for it appears to be imperfect in many Words, which must be supplied from the Latin, or the English; | ...enna mose a lez tho Sc... ha ugge hedda mose tho Frenk, na gez ko them tho guthva meer en Tavaz Curnooack, lebna tose tha gawas tra-gweele en Bez; ha lebben thera Ma toula tho gwellaz mar pel itna oggastigh vel leez an Controvagian, ha ma them mar veer crenga racta; buz na ellam ry tho tha mouy tre guffia them; rag theu e skant tounack tho bose gwellez en leeaz Gerreau, a dael bose gwrez aman durt an Latten, po an Sousenack: | Ena ow mos a-les dhe skol ha woja hedna ow mos dhe Frenk, nag eus kov dhemm [a] wodhvos meur e'n tavas Kernowek, erna dos dhe gawas tra-gwul e'n bes. Ha lebmyn yth erom ow towla dhe weles mar bell etno ogasti avel lies a'n gentrevogyon. Hag yma dhemm mar veur kerenja ragtho, bus na ellam rei dhodho moy dell godhvia dhemm, rag yth yw ev skant dien dhe vos gwelys en lies ger, a dal bos gwres a-man dhort an Latin, po an Sowsnek. | Then going abroad to school, and after that going to France, I do not remember understanding much in the Cornish language, until coming to get business in the world. And now I am reckoning to see as far into it almost as many of the neighbours. And I have as great love for it, but I cannot give to it more as I should, for it is scarcely complete to be seen in many words, which must be made up from Latin, or English. |
| and it is uncertain whether this Loss did befall it at first by the Romans intermixing with the Britains, or afterwards by the Saxons, probably by both: But I do here avoid (as much as I can) such Likeness of Sound, as discovers our Language to be beholden unto others; | ha na ore den veeth durt peniel reeg an kol ma kensa dose durt an Romans meskez gen a Brittez, po ugge hedna durt an Sausen, metessen durt an dew; buz thera ma wheelaz en screefma (mar mere drel a ma) tho gurra an geerna a treneuhan ra dismiggia gun Tavaz ny senges tho rerol; | Ha na wor den veth dhort pyneyl a wrug an koll ma kensa dos, dhort an Romans meskys gen an Bretons, po woja hedna dhort an Sowson, martesen dhort an dhew. Bus yth erom ow hwilas e'n skrif ma (mar veur dr'ella'ma) dhe worra an geryow na a-denewen a wra dismygya agan tavas nei senjys dhe re erel; | And no one knows from which this loss first came, from the Romans mixed with the Britons, or after that from the Saxons, perhaps from both. But I am seeking in this writing (as much as I can), to put aside those words that show our language beholden to others; |
| & having by Me a little Fancy of the Dutchess of Cornwall written for my Children some years past,[11] about the thirtieth Page I have given my observation[s] of the Cornish Tongue, how it came to be divided amonst the Britains, Welsh & Cornis[h], amongst whom it is not like to abide long, bef[ore] it dye away & come to Nothing; I do presum[e] so at least, for the Britains & the Cornish; beca[use] of the finer French taking Place upon the one, and the nobler Englis[h] upon the other; | ma lever bean rebbam dro tho an Arlothas Curnow skreefez rag an Flehaz nab Blethanniau a lebma, dro tho *** deag warn iggans, le.....ma leverres gen...aorama dro tho an Tavaz Curnooack, Fat la eue a reeg dose t...mose a leez an Bretten, ha an Kembreeanz, ha an Curnowean, meskan gy na eue likland dre vidna va t...gaz pel, hep merwal akar, ha dose tho travith; therama suppoga an delna tho an lita, rag an Bretten ha an Curnowean: Voz an Frenkock feen parrez tho cummeraz wara niel, ha an Sousenack nobla war e gilla; | Yma lever bian rebam a-dro dhe Arlodhes Kernow, skrifys rag an fleghes neb bledhynnyow alebma, a-dro dhe [folen] deg war ugans, le ma[yth yw] leverys genam [an peth a wora'ma] a-dro dhe'n tavas Kernowek; fatla wrug ev dos dhe mos a-les (ynter) an Bretons, ha an Kembroyon, ha an Kernowyon, en-mesk anjei nag yw lycklod dre vedn ev triga pell, heb merwel en-kerdh, ha dos dhe dra vyth; yth ero'ma soppoja andelna dhe'n lyha, rag an Bretons ha an Kernowyon; bos an Frenkek fin parys dhe gemeres war an eyl, ha an Sowsnek nobla war y gila; | There is a small book next to me about the Duchess of Cornwall, written for the children some years ago, around page thirty where I have spoken about the Cornish language, how it came to go apart between the Bretons, and the Welsh, and the Cornish, among them it is not likely that it will live long, without dying away, and coming to nothing. I suppose so at least, for the Bretons and the Cornish, the fine French being ready to take on the one, and the nobel English the other. |
| I know not what the Welsh may attempt for the Preservation of their Tongue, but I know this by her Sister the Cornish, that it is but coarse & insignificant in Comparison of the English, which is ready to give it Advantage by Exchange; and yet the Angles might be as blunt as they found the old Britains in Speech and Language when they first came over, untill our better Clime, & the Traffick of our Island improvd it to this Pass. | na oravee drel an Kembreean gweel rag tho gwetha ge Tavaz; buz Me a aore hemma, urt e Hoer an Curnoack, druava talvez buz nebbaz tho bose gurrez, war barrha gen an Sousenack, an peth eue parrez tho ry polta gwel tho tha, dre gava Cummeraz durta; ha whaeh an Sousen metessen olga gawaz maga nebbaz Skeeanz vel an Brittez it ge clappia ge for, nareegan d...e drez ubba an kensa dalleth lebma gun gwel neaue ny, ha an Gwayne gun Enys da reeg ge dro tho an u whelder ma... | Na wora'vy pandr'ell an Kembroyon gwul rag dhe witha aga thavas; bus my a wor hemma, orth y hwor an Kernowek, dr'ywa va talvedhys bus nebes dhe vos gorrys war-barth ha gen an Sowsnek, an peth yw parys dhe rei polta gwell dhodho, dre gav ev kemerys dhorto; ha hwath an Sowson martesen a alja kawas maga nebes skians avel an Bretons et aga klappya aga fordh, (pan) wrug'anjei dos dres obma an kensa, ow talleth lebma [hwrug] agan gwell nev nei, ha an gwayn a'gan enys da, agan drei dhe'n ughelder ma. | I do not know what the Welsh can do to keep their language; but I know this, by its sister Cornish, that it is worth but little to be put together with English, that which is ready to give much better to it, than it will find taken from it; and yet the English perhaps could find as little knowledge as the Britons in their speaking their way, when they first came over here, starting where our better sky, and the profit of our good island, brought them to this height. |
| But if anyone will contend that the British Tongue may attain the like improvement, as their Fortune succeeded, I am so far from opposing the Reputation of my Mother-tongue & Country, that for their Sake I will willingly consent, and the rather, least if the Dutchess of Cornwall's Progress should hereafter be seen in the Hands of my Children, some might take Occasion to object, that I slighted the Cornish, because I would make myself a Transmarine, but it therein appears with what Respect I carry the whole Matter of the Cornish; | martra wonen ve...lever ol drolga tavaz an Brittez cooth tose th...ewhelderma, a we...marpee angy maou fortidniez, thera ve ma pel durTH naha an dadn an Tavaz a Dama ha a pow, uz rag e Crenga dro ma parrez tho leverol an delna a weah, ha descunta leh dressa lever an Have an Arlothas Kernow bose kevez en dula a Flehaz ugge hemma, radden olga bose parrez tho lever ol drerama gweel nebbaz aga a Curnoack, voz dre vengama gweel a hunnen tho bose devethez drez Maur, buz ma bose gun ollez gen panna Collan da therama leverol ul an Sompel rag an Curnooack; | (Bus) mar kwra onen veth leverel der allja tavas an Bretons koth dos dhe'n ughelder ma ynwedh mar pe anjei moy fortudnyes, yth ero'vy mar bell dhort nagha en-dadn tavas ow dama ha ow pow, es rag y gerenja yth o'ma parys dhe leverel yndelna ynwedh, ha […???...] dre wrussa lever Hav an Arlodhes Kernow bos kevys en diwla ow fleghes woja hemma, radn a allja bos parys dhe leverel dell ero'ma ow kwul nebes ena a Gernowek, awos dell venja'ma gwul ow honen dhe vos devedhys dres mor, bus yma (dhe vos) gwelys gen pana golon da yth ero'ma ow leverel oll an sempel rag an Kernowek; | But if anyone says that the language of the ancient Britons could come to this height also if were they luckier, I am so far from denying the language of my mother and my country, that for its sake I am ready to say thus also, and [the sooner lest] that were a book of the Duchess of Cornwall's Progress be found in my childrens' hands hereafter, some could be prepared to say that I am making little of Cornish, since I would make myself to be come over sea, but it is to be seen with what good heart I say all the topic for Cornish; |
| and it must be Envy that will think I do believe what I therein have fained about that particular. Vis animo, nec tanta Superbia victis. However seeing it is now come into my Mind, I will conclude this Scribble with the Last Line of Horace's first Ode | ha eue a dael bose Ankou e hunnen a vedden pedeere drerama creege hedna tho bose gweer eu skreefez enna, rag travith orrol buz tho gweel weez, ha lebben dru a devethez ita Brez, mea vedn gweel Duath an Skreefma durt an dewetha reem vez an Kensa Caon Horace, | ha ev a dal bos Ankow y honen a vedn prederi der ero'ma ow kreji hedna dhe vos gwir, yw skrifys ena, rag tra vyth aral bus dhe wul ges, ha lebmyn der ywa devedhys et ow bres, my a vedn gwul diwedh an skrif ma dhort an diwettha rim vers a gensa kan Horace: | And it must be Death himself who will think that I believe it to be true, that which is written there, for nothing else but to make a joke, and now that it has come into my mind, I shall finish this essay from the last verse of the first ode of Horace: |
| "Quod si Me lyricis Vatibus inseres Sublimi feriam Sydera Vertice. If I shall have it, Franco-Belgian I will be As is Anglo-Cornish, it will be a great honour." |
"Quod si Me lyricis Vatibus inseres Sublimi feriam Sydera Vertce. Mar pethum Francan-belgan me ra bos Po car dru Sousen-Curnow vith anar vrause." |
"Quod si Me lyricis Vatibus inseres Sublimi feriam Sydera Vertce. Mar pedham, Frenk-Belg my a wra bos, Pekar dell yw Sowson-Kernow, y fydh enor broas." |
"Quod si Me lyricis Vatibus inseres Sublimi feriam Sydera Vertce. If I shall have it, Franco-Belgian I will be, As is Anglo-Cornish, it will be a great honour." |
Notes
Nicholas Boson, c. 1680. Translated from English.
Links
- Modern Cornish http://www.moderncornish.net/late-texts/Boson-Nicholas-nebbazgerriaudrothocarnoack.html
Reference
- (BM. Add. MSS. 554, p128, in JB’s hand, Gwavas collection, OC, OP)
- Padel, O.J., The Cornish Writings of the Bosun Family, Institute of Cornish Studies, 1975. pp. 24-37.
