Translation / Melioribus Utere Fatis

Posted by Suzi Riddle on August 11, 2001

In Reply to: Translation / Melioribus Utere Fatis posted by Bruce Kahl 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.
Thank you! Maybe I can get some sleep now. The bell that started all this was given to me by my father. He was a crew chief for a W.W.II fighter Squadron named "Hell's Belles". This is a picture of the bell he gave me, and the story card that accompanied it. It is identicle to the bell in question, but bears the words:"The Lucky Little Bell of San Michele." The story card tells of how St. Michael appeared to a small boy and gave him the bell to protect him from evil and bring him luck. Here are pictures of them

• Translation / Melioribus Utere Fatis Suzi Riddle 08/11/01