Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Though on the lofty hills the hunter urge
His vainly barking dogs with empty din
And speed his iron shafts, I fear no risk
Of savage Mars, but trusting in my might,
I boldly set upon tall elephants
And fell them, wounded sore. Yet cruel Fate,
Alas, has tricked me slyly; I who slay
The mighty, by an unarmed girl am caught;
For a fair maiden, laying bare her breast,
May take me, doing as she will with me,
And to her high-built city lead me back.
My horn has given me my name in Greek;
Thus, too, the Latins call me in their tongue.
Aldhelm, Riddles, "The Unicorn"

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