The music for this podcast was generously provided by Dr. Stefan Hagel.
Cover illustration and voice of Ovid provided by Lu (twitter: @DRScomics, instagram: @dead_romans_society, tumblr: @ovidiana).
Foley sounds for soundscape provided by zapsplat.com.
Hosting, English sections, and editing provided by Margrethe.
Transcript:
Mar: Salve aveque. This is Margrethe from Ovid Daily, for our podcast special: “Evenings with Ovid”. Joining me today from the far-off shores of the Black Sea is the eminent Latin poet Publius Ovidius Naso, (given voice by the excellent Lu), here to read one of his most moving works: Tristia. Last week, we heard Carmina Tertia, where your exile tore you from your home and your family. It was emotional, and a deeply personal look into your pain. I want to believe that had Augustus heard your words here, he would have ended your exile. Are you ready to share the next installment?
Lu/Ovid: Non sine dolore. Hoc non siccis genis audietis. Flebilis ut fortuna mea est, ita flebile carmen.
Lu/Ovid:
Tingitur oceano custos Erymanthidos ursae,
aequoreasque suo sidere turbat aquas.
nos tamen Ionium non nostra findimus aequor
sponte, sed audaces cogimur esse metu.
me miserum! quantis increscunt aequora uentis,
erutaque ex imis feruet harena fretis!
monte nec inferior prorae puppique recuruae
insilit et pictos uerberat unda deos.
pinea texta sonant pulsu, stridore rudentes,
ingemit et nostris ipsa carina malis.
nauita confessus gelidum pallore timorem,
iam sequitur uictus, non regit arte ratem.
utque parum ualidus non proficientia rector
ceruicis rigidae frena remittit equo,
sic non quo uoluit, sed quo rapit impetus undae,
aurigam uideo uela dedisse rati.
quod nisi mutatas emiserit Aeolus auras,
in loca iam nobis non adeunda ferar.
nam procul Illyriis laeua de parte relictis
interdicta mihi cernitur Italia.
desinat in uetitas quaeso contendere terras,
et mecum magno pareat aura deo.
dum loquor et timeo pariter cupioque repelli,
increpuit quantis uiribus unda latus!
parcite caerulei uos parcite numina ponti,
infestumque mihi sit satis esse Iouem.
uos animam saeuae fessam subducite morti,
si modo, qui periit, non periisse potest.
Mar: Gratias tibi ago, Ovidi. I have here the English translation of our guest’s poem, originally translated by A.L. Wheeler in 1924.
“The guardian of the Erymanthian bear dips in ocean and with his setting stars makes stormy the waters of the sea. Yet I am cleaving the Ionian waves to of my own will but forced to boldness through fear. Wretched me! what mighty winds swell the waters, casting up the seething sand from the lowest depths! Mountain-high upon prow and out-curving stern leaps the billow lashing the painted gods. The pine-wrought fabric resounds, and the ropes, whipped by the shrieking wind, and the very keel groans over my woes. The sailor confessing by his pale face a chilling fear now in defeat humours the craft, no longer skillfully guiding her. As a rider who is not strong enough lets the ineffective reins fall loose upon the stubborn neck of his horse, so not where he wishes but where the billow’s power carries him our charioteer, I see, has given the ship her head. And unless Aeolus changes the winds he sends forth, I shall be driven to a region that I must not now approach, for Illyria’s shores are far behind on the left and forbidden Italy is beginning to appear. I pray the wind may cease its striving towards a forbidden land and may unite with me in obedience to the mighty god. Whilst I speak, at once afraid and eager to be driven back, with what mighty power the waves have set her beam to creaking! Mercy, ye gods of the dark sea, mercy! Let it suffice that Jupiter is angered against me! Save ye my weary life from cruel death, if only 'tis possible for one already dead not to die!”
Mar: Thank you so much for listening, and be sure to tune into Ovid Daily’s “Evenings with Ovid” next week for the next installment of Ovid’s Tristia. Vale beneque placideque quiescas!
Mar: A transcript for this podcast is available at oviddaily.substack.com. Our text comes from the 1924 Loeb Classical Library edition of the Tristia, edited and translated by A.L. Wheeler. Our music is performed by Dr. Stefan Hagel on the Hellenistic Aulos, a link to which is available in the description, and on our website on our “Resources” page. Foley sounds for our soundscape are provided by zapsplat.com. Our lovely cover art was illustrated by Lu, and you can see more of Lu’s art on Twitter @DRScomic, or on Tumblr @ovidiana. If you wish to contact Ovid Daily, you may email me at oviddaily@substack.com.
Editor’s Note: Apologies for the delay! Sometimes it takes a while to get correspondence all the way from the Black Sea ;)
Tristia 1.4