Translation
Posted by Bob on August 10, 2001
In Reply to: Translation posted by R. Berg on August 10, 2001
: : : I have a small silver bell from Capri circa 1944 with the
inscription "Melioribus utere fatis" on one side. It resembles other
such bells purchased by soldiers of W.W.II while on R&R in Capri
from the San Michele chapel. St. Michael, known as the Warrior Angel
is said to be the patron saint of those who defend the rightous,
hence he was a popular saint with soldiers.
: : : On the reverse of this partictular bell it reads "La Campanina
Di Capri."
: : : Any help will be appreciated, Suzi
: :
: : The quote is from the Aeneid by Virgil, book 6, line 546:
: : "...I decus, i, nostrum; melioribus utere fatis!"
: : which, within the work, translates to:
: : "...born to better fates than I have found."
: : The Aeneid follows the legend of Aeneas from the last day of Troy up to Aeneas' victory and the fusion of Trojans and Latins into one people.
: : Your other quote, "La Campanina Di Capri.", translates to "The Campanina of Capri". That could be a restaurant, I don't know.
: : The image is of the San Michele chapel.
: "Campanile" is bell tower. "Campana," I believe, is bell. Would "campanina" be bell foundry or something like that?
The diminutive, perhaps? The little bell?
- Translation Suzi Riddle 08/12/01
- Translation R. Berg 08/11/01