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Translation

Posted by Suzi Riddle on August 12, 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?

I think you're right with "The Little Bell" as the one inscribed in Engligh (I have two) reads
"The Lucky Little Bell of San Michele".

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