Translation
Posted by R. Berg on August 11, 2001
In Reply to: Translation posted by Bob 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?
Where's Massimo when we need him?