jimmyjames Posted 27 October , 2004 Share Posted 27 October , 2004 I have just received the snaps of the headstones of three Cheltonians buried in Kemmel Chateau Cemetery which "Frajohn" very kindly photographed during his recent visit. On one headstone is the inscription: "Sans Peur Et Sans Reproche Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori" I managed to miss every single Latin class at school so I would be most grateful for a translation. Regards Jimmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 27 October , 2004 Share Posted 27 October , 2004 Jimmy, "Without fear and without reproach" (The original is French, but I suppose you knew ?) "It is sweet and appropriate(?) to die for one's country" (Patria = fatherland, but as far as I know this word is hardly used in the UK ? It is in Holland, Belgium, France, Germany...) (I'm not sure what "decorum" exactly means. "Becoming" ?) And these Latin words are W. Owen's poem. But I don't know where he took it from. (IIRC Latin author Horatius ?) Aurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeppoSapone Posted 27 October , 2004 Share Posted 27 October , 2004 (I'm not sure what "decorum" exactly means. "Becoming" ?) And these Latin words are W. Owen's poem. But I don't know where he took it from. (IIRC Latin author Horatius ?) Aurel Aurel You are correct, it was Horace [Quintus Horatius Flaccus] in his Odes. It usually translates as: 'It is sweet and proper to die for one's country'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 27 October , 2004 Share Posted 27 October , 2004 It`s somewhat surprising to see it on a headstone from WW1 as Owen turned it into "The Old Lie" for most people from soon after the war. Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Dixon Posted 27 October , 2004 Share Posted 27 October , 2004 I think the literal translation of Horace's tag is "It is sweet and meet, to die for ones' country" Phil I have seen many headstones with this on, the sense of irony doesn't seem lost in the translation I suspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjames Posted 28 October , 2004 Author Share Posted 28 October , 2004 Gents Many thanks indeed. Regards Jimmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinH Posted 28 October , 2004 Share Posted 28 October , 2004 I've seen Decorum translated as 'Sweet and Fitting' in this context. Regards Gavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 28 October , 2004 Share Posted 28 October , 2004 Cassell`s Latin - English dictionary:- DECORUS/A/UM - proper, fit, becoming. Take your pick! Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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