Merlinus (Merlin, prophet-king of the Britons)

Vita Merlini

• attribution: Merlinus was renowned throughout Britain as both king and prophet who gave laws to the Demetae and prophesied the future for leaders (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Clarus habebatur Merlinus in orbe Britannus. Rex erat et vates : Demetarumque superbis Jura dabat populis, ducibusque futura canebat."

• attestation: Civil war broke out among the nobles of the kingdom, devastating innocent peoples throughout the cities (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Contigit interea plures certamen habere Inter se regni proceres, belloque feroci Insontes populos devastavisse per urbes."

• attestation: Merlinus came to battle alongside Peredurus, and also Rodarcus, King of the Cumbrians, both fierce warriors (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Venerat ad bellum Merlinus cum Pereduro, Rex quoque Cumbrorum Rodarcus; sævus uterque."

• attestation: Merlinus grieves for his fallen companions, lamenting that fate has snatched away those whom many kings and kingdoms feared (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Hoc viso, Merline, doles,tristesque per agmen Commisces planctus, tali quoque voce remugis. « Ergone sic potuit sors importuna nocere, Ut michi surriperet tantos talesque sodales, Quos modo tot reges, tot regna remota timebant ?"

• attestation: Merlinus asks who will now stand beside him in arms and repel the enemy leaders pressing upon him (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "O juvenile decus ! quis " nunc astabit in armis Nunc mili pone latus, mecumque repellet euntes In mea dampna duces, incumbentesque catervas ?"

• attestation: After battle Merlinus calls his companions and orders the brothers to be buried in various chapels (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Evocat e bello socios Merlinus, et illis Præcipit in varia fratres sepelire capella :"

• attribution: Merlinus mourns ceaselessly, scattering dust in his hair and tearing his clothes, prostrate on the ground (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Deplangitque viros, nec cessat fundere fletus : Pulveribus crines spargit, vestesque rescidit, Et prostratus humi nunc hac illacque volutat."

• attestation: After three days of mourning and refusing food, Merlinus is seized by new furies and secretly withdraws (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Jam tribus emensis defleverat ille " diebus, Respueratque cibos; tantus dolor usserat illum : Inde novas furias, cum tot tantisque querelis Aera complesset, cepit, furtimque recedit ;"

• attestation: Merlinus flees to the woods, enters the forest, and delights in hiding under ash trees, watching wild beasts (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Et fugit ad silvas, nec vult fugiendo videri, Ingrediturque nemus,gaudetque latere sub ornis ; Miraturque feras pascentes gramina saltus."

• attribution: Merlinus lives on roots, herbs, tree fruits, and blackberries, becoming a wild man of the woods (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Utitur herbarum radicibus; utitur herbis; Utitur arboreo fructu, morisque rubeti. Fit silvester homo, quasi silvis editus esset,"

• attestation: Throughout the entire summer Merlinus remains hidden, forgetting himself and his kinsmen, lurking like a wild beast (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Inde per aestatem totam; nullique repertus, Oblitusque sui, cognatorumque suorum, Delituit, silvis obductus more ferino."

• attestation: Merlinus invokes Christ, asking what he shall do and where he can dwell since he finds nothing to eat (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Cœli Christe Deus ! quid agam ? qua parte morari Terrarum potero ? cum nil quo vescar adesse Inspicio, nec gramen humi, nec in arbore glandes."

• attestation: Apple trees that once stood bearing fruit have vanished; fate both grants and denies seeing them (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Tres quater et juges septenæ poma ferentes Hic steterant mali; nunc non stant : ergo quis illas, Quis mihi surripuit ? quo devenere repente ? Nuncillas video, nunc non : sic fata repugnant,"

• attestation: The forest stands without leaf or fruit; winter has taken everything and the south wind brings rain (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Stat sine fronde nemus, sine fructu : plector utroque, Cum neque fronde tegi valeo, neque fructibus uti. Singula bruma tulit, pluviisque cadentibus auster."

• attestation: When Merlinus finds turnips beneath the earth, greedy sows and boars rush in and snatch them (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Invenio si forte napos " tellure sub ima, Concurrunt avidæque sues aprique voraces, Eripiuntque napos michi quas de cespite vello."

• attestation: Merlinus laments that apples, acorns, and all other food fail him in the harsh winter conditions (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Deficiunt nunc poma michi, nunc cetera quæque. Stat sine fronde nemus, sine fructu : plector utroque,"

• attestation: Merlinus addresses a wolf as his dear companion who wanders with him through the remote parts of the woods (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« T'u lupe, care comes! nemorum qui devia mecum Et saltus peragrare soles, vix præteris arva :"

• attestation: Both Merlinus and the wolf are weakened by hunger; the wolf's old age has robbed it of strength (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Et te dura fames et me languere coegit. Tu prior has silvas coluisti, te prior ætas Protulit in canos;"

• attestation: A traveller hears Merlinus singing among the thickets and finds him, but Merlinus flees and cannot be caught (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Hæc inter frutices coriletaque densa canebat ; Cum sonus ad quemdam pervenit prætereuntem, Qui direxit iter quo sermo loquentis in auras Exierat, reperitque locum, reperitque loquentem. Quo viso Merlinus abit, sequiturque viator, Nec retinere virum potuit sic diffugientem :"

• attestation: The traveller reports seeing Merlinus in the thickets of the Forest of Calidon, but Merlinus fled swiftly through the oaks (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Ille virum talem se conspexisse fatetur Inter dumosos saltus nemoris Calidonis; Dumque loqui vellet secum, secumque sedere, Diffugisse virum celeri per robora cursu."

• attestation: There was a spring at the summit of a mountain surrounded by hazels where Merlinus sat watching the forests and beasts (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Fons erat in summo cujusdam vertice montis, Undique præcinctus corulis densisque frutectis. Illic Merlinus consederat: inde per omnes Spectabat silvas, cursusque iocosque ferarum ."

• attestation: The messenger climbs the mountain quietly and finds Merlinus sitting on the grass beside the spring, speaking laments (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Nuntius hunc scandit, tacitoque per ardua gressu Incedit quærendo virum : tum denique fontem Merlinumque videt,super herbas pone sedentem, Dicentemque suas tali sermone querelas."

• attestation: Merlinus addresses God asking why the seasons are divided into four periods (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« O qui cuncta regis! quidid est quod contigit,ut non Tempora sint eadem numeris distincta quaternis ?"

• attestation: Spring brings flowers and leaves, summer yields grain, autumn gives ripe apples, but icy winter devours everything (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Nunc ver jure suo flores frondesque ministrat : Dat fruges æstas, autumpnus micia poma : Consequitur glacialis yemps , et cetera quæque Devorat et vastat, pluviasque nivesque reportat,"

• attestation: Winter storms prevent the earth from producing flowers, oaks from bearing acorns, and apple trees from bearing fruit (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Singula quæque suis arcet læditque procellis ; Nec permittit humum varios producere flores, Aut quercus glandes, aut malos punica mala."

• attestation: Merlinus wishes there were no winter or frost, only perpetual spring with the cuckoo and nightingale singing (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Outinam non esset hiems aut cana pruina ; Ver foret, aut aestas; cuculusque canendo rediret, Et philomena pio quæ tristia pectora cantu Mitigat,"

• attestation: Merlinus longs for birdsong in new leaves, fragrant flowers, murmuring springs, and a dove's cooing to induce sleep (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Frondibus inque novis concordi voce volucres Cantarent aliæ, quæ me modulando foverent ; Dum nova flore novo tellus spiraret odorem Gramine sub viridi, levi quoque murmure fontes Diffluerent; juxtaque daret sub fronde columba Sompniferos gemitus, irritaretque soporem !»"

• attestation: The messenger interrupted the prophet's laments with lyre music to soothe the madman (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Nuntius audierat vatem, rupitque querelas Cum modulis citharæ quam secum gesserat ultro, Ut sic deciperet demulceretque furentem."

• attestation: The messenger sang mournful things on plaintive strings, soothing the prophet's ears (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "In fidibus querulis dicebat talia cantans Nuntius, et modulo vatis demulcerat aures, Mitior ut fieret congauderetque canenti."

• attestation: The prophet rises and asks the young man to play the lyre and sing the former elegies again (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Ocius assurgit vates, juvenemque jocosis Affatur verbis,iterumque movere precatur Cum digitis cordas, elegosque sonare priores."

• attestation: Merlinus is gradually captured by the lyre's sweetness and compelled to lay aside his madness; his former mind returns (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "cogitque virum modulando furorem Ponere paulatim citharæ dulcedine captum. Fit memor ergo sui, recolitque quod esse solebat Merlinus ;furiasque suas miratur et odit. Pristina mens redit, redit quoque sensus in illo,"

• attestation: Merlinus groans at the names of his sister and wife and asks to be led to Rodarcus's court (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Et gemit ad nomen, motus pietate, sororis Uxorisque simul, mentis ratione recepta ; Conducique petit Rodarchi regis ad aulam."

• attestation: Merlinus cannot bear the crowds at court and is again filled with madness, desiring to flee to the forest (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "At postquam tantas hominum Merlinus adesse Inspexit turmas, nec eas perferre valeret ; Cepit enim furias,iterumque furore repletus Ad nemus ire cupit, furtimque recedere quærit."

• attestation: Merlinus scorns the gifts, preferring the Forest of Calidon with its oaks, high mountains, and green meadows (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Talia respondens spernebat munera vates. « Ista duces habeant, sua quos confundit egestas, Nec sunt contenti modico, set maxima captant. Hiis nemus et patulas Calidonis præfero quercus, Et montes celsos,"

• attestation: Merlinus declares the fertile Forest of Calidon with its nuts is what he prefers above all things (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Rex Rodarche feras : mea me Calidonis habebit Silva ferax nucibus, quam cunctis præfero rebus."

• attestation: Bound, Merlinus becomes sorrowful and silent, withdrawing all joy and refusing to speak or laugh (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Ergo cum sensit circum se vincula vates, Nec liber poterat silvas Calidonis adire ; Protinus indoluit, tristisque tacensque remansit, Lætitiamque suis subtraxit vultibus omnem ;"

• attestation: At the sight of the leaf episode Merlinus suddenly laughs, astonishing all who had seen him refuse laughter (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Flexit ad hoc oculos vates, risumque resolvit, Astantesque viros fecit convertere vultus In se, mirantes quoniam ridere negarat."

• attestation: Merlinus declares acorns of Calidon and clear springs through fragrant meadows suffice; he will not be won by gifts (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "At mihi sufficiunt glandes Calidonis amœnæ, Et nitidi fontes per olentia prata fluentes : Munere non capior : sua munera tollat avarus."

• attestation: Merlinus demands liberty and threatens to refuse revealing his laughter unless freed (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Et nisi libertas detur, repetamque virentes Silvarum valles, risus aperire negabo."

• attestation: Merlinus joyfully explains he laughed because Rodarcus was both blameworthy and praiseworthy in removing the leaf (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Tunc Merlinus ait, gaudens quia possit abire : « Iccirco risi, quoniam, Rodarche, fuisti Facto culpandus simul et laudandus eodem ;"

• attestation: Merlinus calls Ganieda 'dearest sister' and prophesies the boy will die by falling from a high cliff (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Ergo frater ei, « Soror o carissima, » dixit , « Hic morietur homo celsa de rupe ruendo. »"

• attestation: Merlinus gives a second prophecy: the boy will die wandering in madness, succumbing to a tree (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Tunc Merlinus ait; « Puer hic, cum venerit aetas, Mente vagans, forti succumbet in arbore morti. »"

• attestation: Merlinus predicts three different deaths for the same boy: falling from a cliff, death at a tree, and later drowning (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Hic morietur homo celsa de rupe ruendo. »"

• attestation: Merlinus prophesies a third death: the person, whether virgin or not, will die by drowning (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Hæc virgo nec ne, » dixit, « morietur in ampne“? »"

• attestation: Merlinus desires to go to the woods; his sister Ganieda blocks him with tears, begging him to stay (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Cogitat interea silvas Merlinus adire, Egressusque domum portas aperire jubebat; Set soror obstabat, lacrimisque rogabat abortis Ut secum remaneret adhuc, tollatque furorem."

• attestation: Merlinus declares he will not change his way of life; he refers to Orpheus and Eurydice crossing the Stygian sands (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Nolo soror pecudem patulo quæ fontis hiatu Diffundit latices, ut virginis urna sub æstus : Nec curam mutabo meam velut Orpheus olim, Quando suos calathos pueris commisit habendos Euridice Stigias plusquam transnavit harenas ."

• attestation: Merlinus grants Guendoloena permission to marry, saying she may wed whomever she wishes at her own choosing (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Huic igitur detur nubendi justa facultas. Arbitrioque suo quem gestit ducere ducat :"

• attestation: Merlinus warns that the new husband must never come face to face with him, or else feel his blade (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Præcaveat tamen ipse sibi qui duxerit illam,"

• attestation: Merlinus promises to attend the wedding with lavish gifts and will generously endow Guendoloena (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Diversæque dapes convivis distribuentur, Ipsemet interero donis munitus honestis, Ditaboque datam profuse Guendoloenam."

• attestation: Merlinus declares he will remain free from the stain of Venus, staying in his world apart (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Mundus ab alterutro veneris sine " labe manebo."

• attestation: Merlinus bids farewell and departs for his beloved woods; Guendoloena watches sadly from the threshold (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Dixerat, atque « vale » gradiens subjunxit utrique, Et petit silvas nullo prohibente cupitas. Guendoloena manet spectans in limine tristis,"

• attestation: Onlookers wonder how the madman could know secret matters and had detected his sister's adultery (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Miranturque nimis rerum secreta furentem Nosse virum, veneremque suæ scivisse sororis."

• attestation: They thought Merlinus had lied about the boy's death since he gave three predictions where one was expected (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Mentitumque tamen pueri de morte putabant, Quam dixit ternam cum dicere debuit unam. Inde diu sua visa fuit vox vana per annos,"

• attestation: The boy fell from a high cliff into a river, his foot caught in a tree while his body was submerged, fulfilling all three death predictions (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Labi quadrupedem celsa de rupe,virumque Forte per abruptum montis cecidisse sub amnem; Ut tamen haereret pes ejus in arbore quadam, Et submersa forent sub flumine cetera membra : Sicque ruit, mersusque fuit, lignoque pependit, Et fecit vatem per terna pericula verum ;"

• attribution: Merlinus preferred living in the forest like a wild animal, enduring frost, snow, rain and wind (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Qui nemus ingressus fuerat, rituque ferino Vivebat; patiens concretæ frigoris algæ Sub nive, sub pluvia, sub iniquo flamine venti. Idque placebat ei pocius quam jura per urbes Exercere suas, gentesque domare feroces."

• attestation: One night while Merlinus lived among the wild herds, the moon shone brightly and all the stars of the sky sparkled (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Nox erat et nitide radiabant cornua lunæ, Cunctaque convexi splendebant lumina cœli :"

• attestation: Merlinus watched the starry course from a high mountain, speaking quietly to himself about celestial signs (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Sidereum cursum vates spectabat ab alto"

• attestation: Merlinus asks what the ray of Mars portends: whether the death of a king and the rise of a new one (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Quid sibi vult radius Martis ? regem ne peremptum Portendit noviter rutilans, aliumque futurum ?"

• attestation: Venus's doubled ray portends divided love; Merlinus suspects Guendoloena has left him for another husband (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Discidium ne mei sectus portendit amoris ? Talis enim radius divisos signat amores. Forsitan absentem me Guendoloena reliquit, Alteriusque virigaudens complexibus hæret."

• attestation: Merlinus decides not to be jealous, consenting that Guendoloena may marry with good omen (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "At non invideo : nubat nunc omine dextro, Utaturque novo, me permittente, marito."

• attestation: At dawn, Merlinus gathers herds of deer and does, rides upon a stag, and drives the animals to Guendoloena's wedding (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Cervorumque greges agmen collegit in unum, Et damas capreasque simul; cervoque resedit ; Et veniente die, compellens agmina præ se, Festinans vadit quo nubit Guendoloena."

• attestation: The bridegroom watches from a high window, marvelling at the horseman riding a stag, and begins to laugh (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Stabat ab excelsa sponsus spectando fenestra, In solio mirans equitem, risumque movebat."

• attestation: When Merlinus sees the bridegroom, he tears antlers from the stag he is riding and hurls them at the man, crushing his skull and killing him (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Astubi vidit eum vates, animoque quis esset Calluit, extemplo divulsit cornua cervo Quo gestabatur, vibrataque jecitin illum, Et caput illius penitus contrivit, eumque Reddidit exanimem, vitamque fugavit in auras."

• attestation: Merlinus drives his stag away with kicks and tries to return to the woods (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Ocius inde suum talorum verbere cervum Diffugiens egit, silvasque redire paravit."

• attestation: Servants pursue the prophet from all sides; as the deer leaps a torrent, Merlinus falls into the rushing water (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Nam dum torrentem fera prosiliendo mearet, Elapsus, rapida cecidit Merlinus in unda. Circueunt ripas famuli, capiuntque natantem,"

• attestation: The servants catch Merlinus swimming and lead him home bound, delivering him to his sister (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Circueunt ripas famuli, capiuntque natantem, Adducuntque domum, vinctumque dedere sorori."

• attestation: Captured again, the prophet becomes sad and wishes to go to the woods, refusing food and drink and laughter (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Captus item vates fit tristis, et optat abire Ad silvas, pugnatque suos dissolvere nexus, Et ridere negat, potumque cibumque refutat,"

• attestation: Merlinus's sadness makes his sister Ganieda sorrowful too (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Tristitiaque sua tristem facit esse sororem."

• attestation: Merlinus is led through the forums and people to see new things being sold (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Resque videndo novas quæ vendebantur ibidem."

• attestation: Led from the hall, Merlinus sees a beggar servant in poor clothing at the doors, trembling and asking passers-by for alms (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Inspicit ante fores famulum sub paupere cultu, Qui servabat eas, poscentem prætereuntes Ore tremente viros, ad vestes munus emendas. Mox stetit et risit vates, miratus egentem."

• attestation: Merlinus paused and laughed at the sight of the beggar, amazed at the pauper (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Mox stetit et risit vates, miratus egentem."

• attestation: Going further, Merlinus sees a young man holding new shoes and buying leather patches (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Illinc progressus nova calciamenta tenentem Spectabat juvenem, commercantemque tacones :"

• attestation: Merlinus laughs again at the shoe buyer and refuses to go further through the marketplace, gazing longingly toward the woods (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Tunc iterum risit, renuitque diutius ire Perfora, spectandus populis quos inspiciebat. At nemus optabat, quod crebro respiciebat,"

• attestation: Merlinus reveals the beggar doorkeeper was secretly rich, sitting upon hidden heaps of coins (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Janitor ante fores tenui sub veste sedebat, Et velut esset inops, rogitabat prætereuntes Ut largirentur sibi quo vestes emerentur : Ipsemet interea, subter se denariorum Occultos cumulos, occultus dives habebat."

• attestation: Merlinus instructs them to dig beneath the doorkeeper to find the treasure of coins hidden for a long time (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Illud ego risi : tu terram verte sub ipso, Nummos invenies servatos tempore longo."

• attestation: Merlinus explains his second laugh: the young man buying shoes and patches will never use them, since he has already drowned (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Illinc ulterius versus fora ductus, ementem Calciamenta virum vidi, pariterque tacones ; Ut postquam dissuta forent, usuque forata, Illa resarciret,primosque pararet ad usus. Illud item risi, quoniam nec calciamentis Nec superaddet " eis miser ille taconibus uti Postmodo compos erit; quia jam submersus in undis Fluctuat ad ripas :"

• attestation: Merlinus tells his dear sister that winter storms, north wind, and south rain cannot deter him from seeking the green glades (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« O dilecta soror, quid me retinere laboras ? Non me bruma suis poterit terrere procellis, Non gelidus boreas, cum flatu saevit iniquo"

• attestation: Merlinus asks Ganieda to build houses in the woods including a hall with seventy doors and windows for observing the heavens and stars (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Ne tamen esca mihi brumali tempore desit , In silvis compone domos, adhibeque clientes, Obsequiumque mihi facient, escasque parabunt,"

• attestation: Through the windows Merlinus will observe the sun with Venus and the stars gliding through the sky at night, which will teach him the future of the kingdom (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Per quas ignivomum videam cum Venere Phœbum, Inspiciamque polo labentia sydera noctu,"

• attestation: Merlinus asks for scribes skilled in recording his prophecies on tablets (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Totque notatores quæ dicam scribere docti Assint, et studeant carmen mandare tabellis."

• attestation: Merlinus asks Ganieda to visit often and relieve his hunger with food and drink, then departs for the woods with hasty steps (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Tu quoque sæpe veni, soror o dilecta, meamque Tunc poteris relevare famem potuque ciboque.» Dixit, et ad silvas festinis gressibus ivit."

• attestation: While fruits and sunshine last, Merlinus delights in staying under the leaves and wandering the forest with gentle west winds (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Ille quidem dum poma manent, Phœbusque per astra"

• attestation: When harsh winter comes and strips the forest of all fruit, Merlinus comes sadly and hungry to the hall (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Tuncveniebat yems rigidis hirsuta procellis, Quæ nemus et terras fructu spoliabat ab omni ; Deficeretque sibi pluviis instantibus esca, Tristis et esuriens dictam veniebat ad aulam."

• attestation: After refreshing himself with various foods, Merlinus would look at the stars and prophesy future events (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  " Qui, postquam varis sese recreaverat escis, Mox assurgebat complaudebatque sorori ;"

• attestation: Merlinus laments the rage of the Britons, whom excess of wealth drives beyond measure; they refuse to enjoy peace (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« O rabiem Britonum, quos copia divitiarum Usque superveniens ultra quam debeat effert ! Nolunt pace frui, stimulis agitantur herinis."

• attestation: The nephews of the Cornish boar create treachery among themselves, killing each other by wicked sword and seizing the crown (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Cornubiensis apri conturbant quæque nepotes ; Insidias sibimet ponentes, ense nephando Interimunt sese, nec regno jure potiri Expectare volunt, regni diademate rapto."

• attestation: A fourth ruler will arise who will be more cruel and fierce than those before (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Illis quartus erit crudelior asperiorque."

• attestation: Merlinus prophesies destruction, religious persecution, and political chaos among the Britons through cryptic animal symbolism (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Nolunt pace frui, stimulis agitantur herinis. Civiles acies, cognataque prælia miscent."

• attestation: The sea-wolf will defeat the fourth ruler and drive him across the Sabrina into barbarous kingdoms (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Hunc lupus æquoreus debellans vincet, et ultra Sabrinam, victum per barbara regna fugabit."

• attestation: Cambria will compel brothers to fight each other and condemn their own nephews to wicked death (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Kambria compellet fratres committere pugnas, Et dampnare suos scelerata morte nepotes."

• attestation: Merlinus describes Cambria as a people always hostile to God who rejoice in spilled blood (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Kambria gaudebit suffuso sanguine, semper Gens inimica Deo, quid gaudes sanguine fuso?"

• attestation: The Scots will repeatedly cross the Humber, killing those who resist without pity, though their leader will also fall (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Scotorum cunei trans Humbrum sæpius ibunt, Obstantesque viros periment, pietate remota ; Non impune tamen, nam cæsus ductor obibit."

• attestation: The leader will bear the name of a horse and will be fierce in battle (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Nomen habebit equi, qui fiet sævus in illo."

• attestation: An heir will be driven from the nation's borders (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Finibus ex nostris hæres expulsus abibit."

• attestation: Merlinus warns the Scots to sheathe their swords, for they will not have equal strength against his fierce people (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Scote, reconde tuos quos nudas ocius enses : Vis tibi dispar erit nostra cum gente feroci."

• attestation: Merlinus prophesies ongoing conflict between Scots and Britons with varied outcomes (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Scotorum cunei trans Humbrum sæpius ibunt, Obstantesque viros periment, pietate remota ;"

• attestation: Merlinus prophesies the fall of Acelud, never to be rebuilt until the Scot is subjected (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Corruet urbs Acelud, nec eam reparabit in ævum Rex aliquis, donec subdatur Scottus apello."

• attestation: Eventually peace, faith, and all virtue will depart; citizens will fight everywhere and no friend will be found (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Tum pax atque fides et virtus omnis abibit : Undique perpatrias committentprælia cives, Virque virum prodet : non invenietur amicus :"

• attestation: Merlinus recalls prophesying to Vortigern, interpreting the mystic battle of the two dragons by the pool (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "« Hæc Vortigerno cecini prolixius olim, Exponendo duum sibi mistica bella draconum In ripa stagni quando consedimus hausti"."

• attestation: Merlinus tells Ganieda to go home to see the dying king and to bid Telgesinus come to him (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "At tu vade domum, morientem visere regem, O dilecta soror! Thelgesinoque venire Præcipe; namque loqui desidero plurima secum."

• attestation: Merlinus prophesies that pious rulers will be harmed by their own goodness until dressed in their father's garb (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Quartus erit sceptris, pietas cui laeva nocebit, Donec sit genitore suo vestitus, ut apri Dentibus accinctus galeati transeat umbram."

• attestation: A sixth ruler will turn the Irish and their very name, described as both pious and prudent, who will renew peoples and cities (Vita Merlini > Merlin at War and in Madness)

  "Sextus Hibernenses et eorum nomina° vertet ; Qui pius et prudens populos renovabit et urbes."

• attestation: [0031.0] Merlin is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Venerat interea Merlinum visere vatem Tunc Telgesinus, qui discere missus abillo Quid ventus nimbusve foret; nam mixtus uterque Tunc simul instabant et nubila conficiebant."

• attestation: [0031.1] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Hæc documenta dabat socia dictante Minerva. « Quatuor ex nichilo produxit Conditor orbis, cito dixit : omittens versus sequentes. Ut fierent rebus præcedens causa creandis,"

• attestation: [0031.2] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Materiesque simul, concordi pace jugata. Cœlum quod stellis depinxit, et altius exstat, Et quasi testa nucem circumdans omnia claudit : Aera deinde dedit, formandis vocibus aptum,"

• attestation: [0031.3] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Quo mediante dies et noctes sidera præstant : Et mare, quod terras cingit, validoque recursu Quatuor amfractus faciens, sic aera pulsat Ut generet ventos, qui quatuor esse feruntur."

• attestation: [0031.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('vique...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Vique sua stantem nec se levitate moventem Supposuit terram, partes in quinque resectam; Quarum quæ media [est] non est habitanda calore, Extremæque duæ præ frigore diffugiuntur."

• attestation: [0031.5] Specific birds are catalogued with their notable habits (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Temperiem reliquis permisit habere duabus : Has homines habitant, volucresque gregesque ferarum. Utque darent subitas pluvias, quo crescere fructus Arboris et terræ facerent aspergine miti,"

• attestation: [0031.6] Springs, rivers, or waters are invoked with their qualities (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Adjecit cœlo nubes; quæ, sole ministro, Inde per excelsum scandentes aethera, sumptos Diffundunt latices, ventorum viribus actæ. Hinc fiunt imbres, hinc nix, hinc grando rotunda,"

• attestation: [0031.7] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('gelidus...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Cum gelidus madidus movet sua flamina ventus, Qui nubes penetrans quales facit egerit amnes, Naturamque suam zonarum proximitate, Ventorum sibi quisque trahit dum nascitur illuc."

• attestation: [0032.0] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Post firmamentum quo lucida sidera fixit, AEthereum cœlum posuit, tribuitque colendum Vocem est interjiciendam poscit versus."

• attestation: [0032.1] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Cœtibus angelicis, quos contemplatio digna Ac dulcedo Dei reficit miranda per ævum. Hoc quoque depinxit stellis et sole chorusco,"

• attestation: [0032.2] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Indicens legem quæ certo limite stella Persibi commissum posset discurrere cœlum. Postmodosupposuit lunari corpore fulgens"

• attestation: [0032.3] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Aerium cœlum, quod per loca celsa redundat Spirituum cuneis, qui nobis compatiuntur Et collætantur dum sic aliterve movemur :"

• attestation: [0032.4] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Suntque preces hominum soliti perferre per auras, Atque rogare Deum quod sit placabilis illis ; Affectumque Dei sompno vel voce referre,"

• attestation: [0033.0] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« At cacodaemonibus post lunam subtus labundat,"

• attestation: [0033.1] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Qui nos decipiunt et temptant, fallere docti ;"

• attestation: [0033.2] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('multotiens...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Et sibi multotiens ex aere corpore sumpto"

• attestation: [0033.3] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('nobis...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Nobis apparent, et plurima sæpe sequuntur"

• attestation: [0033.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('coitu...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Quin etiam coitu mulieres agrediuntur"

• attestation: [0034.0] Maritime trade, ships, or ocean navigation is discussed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Et mare per species varias distinxit,ut ex se Proferret rerum formas generando per aevum."

• attestation: [0034.1] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Pars etenim fervet, pars friget, et una duabus Temperiem sumens nobis alimenta ministrat."

• attestation: [0034.2] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " « Ast ea quæ fervet, baratrum cum gentibus acris Circuit, et terræ diversis fluctibus orbem ""

• attestation: [0034.3] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('secernit...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Secernit refluens, ignes ex ignibus augens. Illic descendunt qui leges transgrediuntur,"

• attestation: [0034.4] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "lPostpositoque Deo, quo vult perversa voluntas Incedunt, avidi corrumpere quod prohibentur."

• attestation: [0035.0] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('altera,...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Altera, quæ friget, prætonsas volvit harenas Quos secum gignit vicino prima vapore"

• attestation: [0035.1] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Quando suos radios inmiscet stella Diones. Hanc perhibent Arabes gemmas generare micantes,"

• attestation: [0035.2] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Dum peragrat pisces, dum respicit æquora flammis ; Hæc virtute sua populis gestantibus ipsas"

• attestation: [0035.3] Healing properties or medical restoration are attributed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Prosunt, et multos reddunt servantque salubres : Has quoque per species distinxit (ut omnia) Factor,"

• attestation: [0035.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('discernamus...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Ut discernamus per formas perque colores, Cujus sint generis, cujus virtutis apertæ."

• attestation: [0036.0] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('tertia...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Tertia forma maris quæ nostrum circuit orbem, Proximitate sua nobis bona multa ministrat."

• attestation: [0036.1] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Nutrit enim pisces et sal producit habunda, Fertque refertque rates commercia nostra ferentes,"

• attestation: [0036.2] Specific birds are catalogued with their notable habits (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Unde suo lucro subito fit dives egenus. Vicinam faecundat humum, pascitque volucres,"

• attestation: [0036.3] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Quas perhibent ortas illinc cum piscibus esse, Dissimilique tamen naturæ jure moventur;"

• attestation: [0036.4] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Plus etenim dominatur eis quam piscibus æquor, Unde leves excelsa petunt per inane volantes."

• attestation: [0037.0] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« At pisces suus humor agit reprimitque sub undis,"

• attestation: [0037.1] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('sinit...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Nec sinit ut vivant dum sicca luce fruuntur."

• attestation: [0037.2] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('species...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Hos quoque per species distinxit factor eorum,"

• attestation: [0037.3] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('naturamque...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Naturamque dedit distinctis, unde per aevum"

• attestation: [0037.4] Healing properties or medical restoration are attributed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Mirandifierent, ægrotantique salubres."

• attestation: [0039.0] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Est quoque mirandum quod semipedalis echinus, Hærens cui fuerit fixam quasi littore navem"

• attestation: [0039.1] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('detinet...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Detinet in ponto, nec eam permittet abire Donec discedat; tali virtute timendus."

• attestation: [0039.2] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('quemque...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Quemque vocant gladium, quia rostro lædit acuto, Sæpius hunc nantem metuunt " accedere navi;"

• attestation: [0039.3] Maritime trade, ships, or ocean navigation is discussed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Nam si sumptus erit confestim perforat illam, lectione msti., substituta est in prima editione nautae metunt."

• attestation: [0039.4] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Et mergit sectam subito cum gurgite navem. Fitque suis cristis metuendus serra carinis,"

• attestation: [0040.0] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« AEquoreusque draco, qui fertur habere venenum"

• attestation: [0040.1] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('pennis,...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Sub pennis, metuendus erit capientibus illum;"

• attestation: [0040.2] Serpents or venomous creatures are described with their dangers (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Et quociens pungit, lædit, fundendovenenum."

• attestation: [0040.3] Particular sea creatures are catalogued with their remarkable properties (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " « Ast alias clades torpedo fertur habere ;"

• attestation: [0040.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('tangit...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Nam qui tangit eam viventem, protinus illi"

• attestation: [0042.0] Named islands are catalogued with their distinctive features (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Adjacet huic Thanatos, quæ multis rebus habundat ; Mortifero serpente caret, tollitque venenum Si sua cum vino tellus commixta bibatur."

• attestation: [0042.1] Named islands are catalogued with their distinctive features (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " « Orchades a nobis nostrum quoque dividit aequor, Hæ 2 tres ter denæ sejuncto flumine fiunt : Bis denæ cultore carent, aliæque coluntur."

• attestation: [0042.2] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Ultima quæ Ytilie " nomen de sole recepit Propter solstitium, quod sol æstivus ibidem Dum facit, avertit radium, ne luceat ultra ;"

• attestation: [0042.3] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('abducitque...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Abducitque dies ut semper nocte perhenni Aer agat tenebras, faciat quoque frigore pontum Concretum pigrumque simul, ratibusque negatum."

• attestation: [0042.4] Named islands are catalogued with their distinctive features (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " « Insula post nostram præstantior omnibus esse Fertur Hibernensis,felici fertilitate. Est etiam major, nec apes, nec aves nisi raras"

• attestation: [0042.5] Serpents or venomous creatures are described with their dangers (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Educit, penitusque negat generare colubres. Unde fit ut tellus illinc avecta lapisve Si superaddatur, serpentes tollat apesque."

• attestation: [0042.6] Named islands are catalogued with their distinctive features (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " « Gadibus Herculeis adjungitur insula Gades :"

• attestation: [0044.0] Sovereignty or rulership of Merlin is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Tunc Merlinus ad hæc ait : « O! dilecte sodalis, Postmodo quanta tulit violato fœdere regnum ,"

• attestation: [0044.1] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Ut modo quod fuerat non sit! nam sorte sinistra Subducti proceres ac in sua viscera versi","

• attestation: [0044.2] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('omnia...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Omnia turbarunt, ut copia diviciarum Fugerit ex patria bonitasque recesserit omnis,"

• attestation: [0044.3] Telgesinus is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Fortasse legendum strata. - 2 Pro his,exempl. in Polychron. asservat., quæ totam Thelgesini orationem omittunt, habent Tunc Thelgesinus"

• attestation: [0044.4] Merlin is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " (vel Telgesinus), cui Merlinus cito dirit. - Postinus, c. 2. - 4 Re gum, H, mendose. - 5 Sinistrat, c. 2. - Simul, R, atque, c. 2, atque"

• attestation: [0044.5] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " etiam H,sed in hoc manuscript. deletur secunda syllaba.-7 Ursi, c.2. Et desolati vacuent sua moenia cives."

• attestation: [0045.0] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('nondum...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Nondum desierat cum talia protulit alter: « Ergo necesse" foret populo transmittere quemdam,"

• attestation: [0045.1] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Et mandare duci festina nave redire, Si jam convaluit; solitis 7 ut viribus hostes"

• attestation: [0045.2] Merlin is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Arceat, et cives antiqua pace reformet. » « Non“; » Merlinus ait, « Non sic gens illa recedetº,"

• attestation: [0045.3] Sovereignty or rulership of kingdom is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Ut semel in nostris " ungues infixerit ortis: Regnum namque prius populosque jugabit et urbes,"

• attestation: [0045.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('viribus...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Viribus atque suis multis dominabitur annis. Tres tamen ex nostris magna virtute resistent,"

• attestation: [0045.5] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('multos...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Et multos periment, et eos in fine domabunt : Set non perficient “, quia ” sic sententia summi"

• attestation: [0045.6] Sovereignty or rulership of kingdom is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Judicis existit, Britones” ut nobile regnum Temporibus multis amittant debilitate,"

• attestation: [0045.7] Conanus is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Donec ab Armorico "4 veniet temone Conanus '°, Et Cadwalladrus” Cambrorum dum” venerandus;"

• attestation: [0045.8] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Incumbunt, c. 2, R, et H. – 2 Nephando, c. 2, R, et H. – 3 Qui, c. 2 et R, vos, R, vestras, c. 2 et R. – 4 Subvertit, c. 1 et 2. - 3 Violarit,"

• attestation: [0045.9] Healing properties or medical restoration are attributed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "7 Salutis, Cleop. – 8 Sed, R. – 9 Recedit, c. 2. - "º Vestris, c. 1, ortis, R, mendose. In eod. v. Cleop. leg. infirerat. - '' Proficient, c. 2,"

• attestation: [0046.0] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('superstes...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Nemo superstes erit tunc ex hiis qui modo vivunt, »"

• attestation: [0046.1] Telgesinus is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Telgesinus ait, « nec tot fera prælia quemquam"

• attestation: [0046.2] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('inter...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Inter concives, quot te vidisse putamus. »"

• attestation: [0046.3] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " «Sic equidem,» Merlinus ait, « nam tempore multo"

• attestation: [0046.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('vixi,...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Vixi, multa videns, et de nostratibus in se,"

• attestation: [0047.0] Sovereignty or rulership of Ambrosius is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Crimen quod memini cum Constans proditus esset, Et defugissent parvi trans æquora fratres Uter et Ambrosius, cœperunt ilico bella Per regnum fieri quod tunc rectore carebat."

• attestation: [0047.1] Sovereignty or rulership of Vortigern is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Vortigernus enim consul Gewissus in omnes Agmina ducebat patrias, ut duceret illas, Lædens innocuos miseranda clade colonos : Denique vi subita rapuit diadema, peremptis"

• attestation: [0047.2] Maritime trade, ships, or ocean navigation is discussed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Nobilibus multis et regni cuncta subegit. Ast hii qui fuerant cognato sanguine juncti Fratribus, id graviter tolerantes, igne cremare Cœperunt cunctas infausti principis urbes,"

• attestation: [0047.3] Sovereignty or rulership of Merlin is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  " Cambros, c. 1, et Cleop. - Vires sociabit, Cleop. - Incipiunt reges, c. 1, incipientque greges, c. 2. Orationes Telgesini et Merlini iterum Et turbare suum crudeli milite regnum, Nec permiserunt illum cum pace potiri."

• attestation: [0047.4] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Anxius ergo manens, cum non abstare rebelli Quivisset populo, parat invitare remotos Ad sua bella viros,quibus obvius iret in hostes. Mox ex diversis venerunt partibus orbis"

• attestation: [0047.5] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Pugnaces turmae, quas excipiebat honore. Saxona gens etiam, curvis advecta carinis, Ejus ad obsequium galeato milite venit : Huic duo præfuerant audaci pectore fratres"

• attestation: [0047.6] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('horsus...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Horsus et Hengistus, qui proditione nefanda Postmodo læserunt populos, læsereque urbes . Postquam namque ducem famulatus sedulitate Attraxere sibi, cives quoque lite propinqua"

• attestation: [0047.7] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Viderunt motos leviter quo subdere regem Possent; in populos verterunt arma feroces, Ruperuntquefidem, proceres quoquepræmeditatos Fraude necaverunt sedentes ferme vocatos"

• attestation: [0047.8] A prediction of future events is made (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Insimul, ut pacem secum fœdusque jugarent, Truseruntque ducem nivei trans ardua montis : Quæ sibi de regno cœpi cantare futura. Inde domos patriæ peragrantes igne cremabant,"

• attestation: [0047.9] Sovereignty or rulership of Vortimerus is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Et nitebantur sibimet submittere cuncta. At Vortimerus cum causa pericula regni Expulsumque patrem Bruti vidisset ab aula ; Assensu populi sumpsit diadema, feramque"

• attestation: [0047.10] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('invasit...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Invasit gentem concives dilaniantem, sine dubio pro tanta. Atque coegit eam per plurima bella redire In Thanatum, qua classis erat quæ vexerat illam."

• attestation: [0047.11] Sovereignty or rulership of king is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Set dum diffugerent, bellator corruit Horsus, Et plures ali, nostris perimentibus illos. Inde secutus eos circumdedit obsidione Ilico rex, Tanathum terra marique resistens :"

• attestation: [0048.0] Vortimerus is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Ergo triumphato bellis victricibus hoste, Fit Vortimerus rector venerandus in orbe,"

• attestation: [0048.1] Sovereignty or rulership of kingdom is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Attrectando suum justo moderamine regnum. Set soror Hengisti successus Renua tales"

• attestation: [0048.2] Serpents or venomous creatures are described with their dangers (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Indignando ferens, protectaque fraude venenum Miscuit, existens pro fratre maligna noverca,"

• attestation: [0048.3] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('dedit...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Et dedit ut biberet, fecitque perire bibentem : Confestimque suo mandavit trans freta fratri,"

• attestation: [0048.4] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Ut remearet item cum tot tantisque catervis Quot sibi pugnaces posset submittere cives."

• attestation: [0050.0] Sovereignty or rulership of kingdom is addressed (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« Hiis igitur gestis, cleri populique favore Ambrosio regnumque datur, regnique corona , Posmodo quam gessit tractando singula juste. Emensis autem per lustra quaterna diebus,"

• attestation: [0050.1] kingdom dies or faces death (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Proditur à medico, moriturque bibendo venenum. Mox germanus ei successit junior Uter, Nec primum potuit regnum cum pace tueri : Perfida gens etenim demum consueta redire,"

• attestation: [0050.2] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Venerat, et solita vastabat cuncta phalange. Oppugnavit eam sævis congressibus Uter, Et pepulit victam trans æquora, remige verso. Mox reformavit posito certamine pacem,"

• attestation: [0050.3] kingdom dies or faces death (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Progenuitque sibi natum, qui postmodo talis Extitit, ut nulli fieret probitate secundus. Arturus sibi nomen erat; regnumque per annos Optinuit multos, postquam pater Uter obivit :"

• attestation: [0050.4] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Idque dolore gravi gestum fuit atque labore, Et nece multorum per plurima bella virorum. Nam dum prædictus princeps langueret, ab Angla Venerat infidus populus, cunctasque per enses"

• attestation: [0050.5] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('trans...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Trans Humbrum patrias submiserat ac periones ; Et puer Arturus fuerat, nec debilitate MEtatis poterat tantas compescere turmas. Ergo consilio cleri populique recepto,"

• attestation: [0050.6] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('armorico...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Armorico regi mittens, mandavit Hoeli Ut sibi præsidio festina classe rediret : Sanguis enim communis eos sociabat amorque, Alter ut alterius deberet dampna levare."

• attestation: [0050.7] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Mox igitur collegit Hoel ad bella feroces Circumquaque viros, et multis milibus ad nos Venit, et Arturo sociatus, perculit hostes Sæpius agrediens, et stragem fecit acerbam."

• attestation: [0050.8] Armed conflict takes place involving kingdom (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Hoc socio securus erat fortisque per omnes Arturus turmas,dum progrederetur in hostes, Quos tandem vicit, patriamque redire coegit, Composuitque suum legum moderamine regnum."

• attestation: [0050.9] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Mox quoque submisit post haec certamina Scotos, Ac Hibernenses, convertens bella, feroces Supposuit patrias illatis viribus omnes : Et Norwegenses trans aequora lata remotos"

• attestation: [0050.10] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('subdidit,...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Subdidit, et Dacos invisa classe petitos. Gallorum populos cœso Frollone subegit, Cui curam patriæ dederat Romana potestas : Romanos etiam bello sua regna petentes"

• attestation: [0050.11] Armed conflict takes place (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Obpugnansvicit, procuratore perempto Hybero" Lucio, qui tunc collegaque Legnis Induperatoris fuerat, jussuque Senatus Venerat ut fines Gallorum demeret illi."

• attestation: [0052.0] Springs, rivers, or waters are invoked with their qualities (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Hæc" illo dicente, cito venere clientes, Et dixere sibi fontem sub montibus illis Erupisse novum, laticesque refundere puros,"

• attestation: [0052.1] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('manantes...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Qui jam manantes longe per concava vallis Girabant saltus refluo cum murmure lapsu. Mox igitur spectare novum consurgit uterque"

• attestation: [0052.2] Springs, rivers, or waters are invoked with their qualities (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Festinus fontem,visoque, resedit in herba Merlinus, laudatque locum limphasque fluentes, Et muratur eas de cespite taliter ortas."

• attestation: [0052.3] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Moxque siti captus se proclinavit in amnes, Potavitque libens, et tempora proluit unda : Utque per internos alvi stomachique meatus"

• attestation: [0052.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('humor...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Humor iit laticis, subsedavitque vaporem Corporis interni, confestim mente recepta Sese cognovit, rabiem quoque perdidit omnem ;"

• attestation: [0052.5] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Et qui torpuerat per longum tempus in illo Sensus item redit, mansitque quod ante manebat Sanus et incolumis rursus, ratione recepta."

• attestation: [0053.0] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "« O rex ! siderea quo constat machina cœli, Quo mare, quo tellus læto cum gramine fœtus Dantque foventque suos, crebroque juvamine prosunt"

• attestation: [0053.1] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('humanogeneri...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Humanogeneri profusa fertilitate; Quo sensus redit mentisque revanuit 2 error ! Raptus eram michimet; quasi spiritus acta sciebam"

• attestation: [0053.2] star delivers a prophecy about future events (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Præteriti populi prædicebamque futura ; Tunc rerum secreta sciens, volucrumque volatus, Stellarumque vagos motus, lapsusque natantum."

• attestation: [0053.3] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Id me vexabat, naturalemque negabat Nunc in me redi, videorque vigore moveri Quo vegetare meos animus consueverat artus ."

• attestation: [0053.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('ergo,...') (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Ergo, Summe Pater, tibi sic obnoxius esse Debeo, condignas ut digno pectore laudes Dicam, semper agens laetus libamina laeta."

• attestation: Merlinus asks Taliesin about the source of the power of a new spring that flows forth and restored his sanity (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "Ista set unde venit vis°, o dilecte sodalis, Ut fons iste novus sic effluit, atque reformet Me mihi"

• attribution: Merlinus acknowledges he had been out of his mind (quasi vecors) until the spring healed him (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "qui fueram quasi vecors hactenus ex me"

• relationship: Merlinus addresses Taliesin as 'dilecte sodalis' (beloved companion), indicating their close friendship (Vita Merlini > Reunion and Return to Court)

  "o dilecte sodalis"

• attestation: [0058.0] Springs, rivers, or waters are invoked with their qualities (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Hæc ita dum gererent, rumor discurrit ubique In Calidone novum silvis erumpere fontem, Sanatumque virum postquam potavit ab illo, Tempore qui multo rabie corruptus, et isdem"

• attestation: [0058.1] Woodland settings and their vegetation are described as significant (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  " Extiterat silvis ritu vivendo ferarum. Mox igitur venere duces proceresque videre, Et collaetari curato flumine vati. Cumque statum patriæ per singula notificassent,"

• attestation: [0058.2] The arrangement of celestial bodies and heavens is explained (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  " Atque rogaretur sua sceptra resumere rursus Et tractare suam solito moderamine gentem ; Sic ait : « O juvenes ! mea non hoc exigit aetas In senium vergens, quæ sic michi corripit artus"

• attestation: [0058.3] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Ut vix præteream laxatis viribus arva. Jam satis exegi longævo tempore laetos Glorificando dies, michi dum rideret habundans Copia magnarum profuse diviciarum."

• attestation: [0058.4] Woodland settings and their vegetation are described as significant (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Roboris annosi silva stat quercus in ista, Quam sic exegit consumens cuncta vetustas Ut sibi deficiat succus,penitusque putrescat. Hanc ego cum primum cœpisset crescere vidi,"

• attestation: [0058.5] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Etglandem de qua processit forte cadentem Dum super astaret picus ramumque videret, Hic illam crevisse suo jam pene sedebam Singula prospiciens, tunc et verebar in istis"

• attestation: [0058.6] Calidon is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Saltibus atque locum memori cum mente notavi. Ergo diu vixi, mea me gravitate senectus Detinuit dudum, rursus regnare recuso. Me Calidonis opes viridi sub fronde manentem"

• attestation: [0058.7] Precious materials, gems, or wealth are catalogued (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Delectant pocius quam quas fert India gemmae, Quam quod habere Tagus per littora dicitur aurum, Quam segetes Siculæ, quam dulcis Methidis uvæ, Aut celsæ turres aut cinctæ mœnibus urbes,"

• attestation: [0058.8] Healing properties or medical restoration are attributed (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Aut fraglascentes" Tirio medicamine vestes. Res mihi nulla placet me quæ divellere possit Ex Calidone mea, me judice, semper amœna. Hic ero dum vivam pomis contentus et herbis ;"

• attestation: [0058.9] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('mundabo...') (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Et mundabo meam pia per jejunia carnem, Ut valeam fungi vita sine fine perhenni. » Hæc dum dicebat, proceres super æthera cernunt Agmina longa gruum, flexo per inane volatu"

• attestation: [0058.10] Merlin is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  "Ordine girantes per littora certa videre Posset in exstructa liquido super aere turma. Hæc admirantes, Merlinum dicere poscunt Quid certe fuerat quod tali more volarent."

• attestation: [0058.11] Specific birds are catalogued with their notable habits (Vita Merlini > Taliesin's Learned Discourse)

  " Mox Merlinus eis : « Volucres, ut cætera plura, Natura propria ditavit Conditor orbis ; Sic didici multis silvis habitando diebus. Est igitur natura gruum, dum celsa pererrant"

• attestation: [0071.0] Merlin experiences or recovers from madness (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Redditur ille sibi qui vecors venerat illuc, Cognovitque suos subito curatus amicos. Tunc Merlinus ait : « Tibi nunc constanter eundum"

• attestation: [0071.1] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('agone...') (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Est in agone Dei, qui te tibi reddidit, ut nunc Ipsemet inspectas qui per deserta tot annis [1445] V ITA MIER LIN I. 57"

• attestation: [0071.2] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('vixisti...') (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Ut fera vixisti sine sensu turpis eundo; Ne modo diffugias frutices, ratione recepta, Aut virides saltus quos jam limphando colebas,"

• attestation: [0071.3] Seasons and their effects on the natural world are described (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Set mecum maneas; ut quos tibi surripiebat Vis verunca dies, iterum reparare labores Obsequio Domini, quod erit per singula mecum"

• attestation: [0071.4] Maeldinus is connected to specific circumstances described in the verse (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Ex hoc nunc commune tibi, dum vivit uterque. » Ergo sub hoc Maeldinus ait, nam nomine tali Dictus erat : « Non hoc, pater o venerande, recuso !"

• attestation: [0075.0] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('super...') (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Non super hoc tacuit, commiranturque sodales, Germanusque suus, qui mox accessit adillam,"

• attestation: [0075.1] A prediction of future events is made (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Hocque modo verbis applaudens fertur amicis. « Tene soror voluit res præcantare futuras"

• attestation: [0075.2] Armed conflict takes place involving war (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Spiritus, osque meum compescuit atque libellum ? Ergo tibi labor iste datur; laeteris in illo,"

• attestation: [0075.3] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('auspiciisque...') (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Auspiciisque meis devote singula dicas. » Duximus ad metam carmen: vos ergo Britanni"

• attestation: [0075.4] Specific circumstances and conditions are stated in the Latin verse ('laurea...') (Vita Merlini > Maeldinus and Ganieda's Prophecy)

  "Laurea serta date Gaufrido de Monumeta'. Est etenim vester: nam quondam prælia vestra"