← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
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Comēnius sextum surgit. Fēlēs in gremiō dormit.
We have tasted. We have smelled. We have touched.
Now we observe life — how creatures move, how they behave. The unicorn is fierce; the cow is gentle. The lion is savage; the sheep is mild. These are not merely descriptions. They are lessons in character, in temperament, in the nature of things.
And then we pass to human feelings — a guest is merry, a place is pleasant, friendship is joyful, news is glad. The Latin words carry the warmth of human connection: hilāris, amoenus, iūcundus, laetus.
But first, a simple observation: we walk clothed, the Indians naked. Comenius, writing in 1631, noted what travelers reported. For us, it marks a transition — from natural qualities (hot, cold, hard, soft) to cultural ones (clothed, naked, fierce, tame).
The porch of Latin grows wider. Enter.
Dē Vestitū et Temperāmentīs Animālium — On Clothing and Animal Temperaments
Nōs We incēdimus walk vestītī. clothed. Indī The Indians [incēdunt] [walk] nūdī. naked.
Ūnicornis A unicorn est is ferum a fierce animal. animal. Vacca A cow [est] [is] mānsuētum a gentle [animal] [animal] (cicur). (tame).
Leō A lion [est] [is] saevum a savage [animal]. [animal]. Ovis A sheep [est] [is] mītis. mild.
Nōs incēdimus vestītī. Indī nūdī. We walk clothed. The Indians naked.
Ūnicornis est ferum animal. Vacca mānsuētum (cicur). A unicorn is a fierce animal. A cow is gentle (tame).
Leō saevum. Ovis mītis. A lion is savage. A sheep is mild.
Nōs incēdimus vestītī. Indī nūdī. Ūnicornis est ferum animal. Vacca mānsuētum (cicur). Leō saevum. Ovis mītis.
Nominative plural with predicate adjective. Nōs incēdimus vestītī — We walk clothed. Here vestītī is nominative masculine plural, agreeing with nōs (we). Similarly Indī nūdī — The Indians [walk] naked.
The verb incēdō. This verb means “walk, march, proceed” — more formal than simple ambulō. It’s a compound: in- + cēdō (go).
Neuter adjective as substantive. Ferum animal — a fierce animal. Here ferum (neuter) agrees with animal (neuter). But notice mānsuētum and saevum are also neuter, implying [animal] is understood.
The word cicur. This indeclinable adjective means “tame” — an alternative to mānsuētus. Comenius provides both.
Third declension adjective: mītis. The adjective mītis, -e (mild, gentle) is 3rd declension: -
ovis mītis — a mild sheep (feminine nominative singular)
New vocabulary — Clothing and Animals:
Nominative Genitive Gender Meaning vestītus vestītūs m. clothing ūnicornis ūnicornis m./f. unicorn vacca vaccae f. cow leō leōnis m. lion ovis ovis f. sheep animal animālis n. animal Indī Indōrum m.pl. Indians
New adjectives:
Latin English Type vestītus, -a, -um clothed participle/adj. nūdus, -a, -um naked, bare 1st/2nd decl. ferus, -a, -um wild, fierce 1st/2nd decl. mānsuētus, -a, -um tame, gentle 1st/2nd decl. cicur tame indeclinable saevus, -a, -um savage, fierce 1st/2nd decl. mītis, -e mild, gentle 3rd decl.
New verb:
Latin English Principal Parts incēdō walk, march incēdō, incēdere, incessī, incessum
Dē Affectibus et Qualitātibus Iūcundīs — On Emotions and Pleasant Qualities
Convīva A guest est is hilāris. merry. Locus A place [est] [is] amoenus. pleasant. Amīcitia Friendship [est] [is] iūcunda. delightful.
Nūntium News [est] [is] laetum. joyful. Omnia All illa those things [sunt] [are] grāta welcome et and accepta. acceptable.
Convīva est hilāris. A guest is merry.
Locus amoenus. A place is pleasant.
Amīcitia iūcunda. Friendship is delightful.
Nūntium laetum. News is joyful.
Omnia illa grāta et accepta. All those things are welcome and acceptable.
Convīva est hilāris. Locus amoenus. Amīcitia iūcunda. Nūntium laetum. Omnia illa grāta et accepta.
Gender agreement across the section. Notice how each adjective matches its noun: -
convīva hilāris — masculine (even though convīva ends in -a!) -
locus amoenus — masculine -
amīcitia iūcunda — feminine -
nūntium laetum — neuter -
omnia illa grāta et accepta — neuter plural
The noun convīva. This 1st declension noun (convīva, -ae) is masculine despite its -a ending. It means “guest at a feast, dinner companion.” Compare agricola (farmer), nauta (sailor) — masculine nouns in the 1st declension.
The word amoenus. This adjective specifically means “pleasant to the sight, delightful, charming” — often used for landscapes, gardens, pleasant places. It’s the source of English “amenity.”
The word iūcundus. This means “pleasant, agreeable, delightful” — more generally pleasing, not limited to visual beauty. Related to iuvō (I help, I please).
Neuter plural subject with singular verb (understood). Omnia illa grāta et accepta [sunt] — All those things are welcome and acceptable. When the subject is neuter plural, classical Latin sometimes uses a singular verb, though plural is also correct.
New vocabulary — Pleasant Qualities:
Nominative Genitive Gender Meaning convīva convīvae m. guest, dinner companion locus locī m. place amīcitia amīcitiae f. friendship nūntium nūntiī n. news, message
New adjectives:
Latin English Type hilāris, -e merry, cheerful 3rd decl. amoenus, -a, -um pleasant, delightful 1st/2nd decl. iūcundus, -a, -um pleasant, agreeable 1st/2nd decl. laetus, -a, -um joyful, glad 1st/2nd decl. grātus, -a, -um welcome, pleasing 1st/2nd decl. acceptus, -a, -um acceptable, welcome 1st/2nd decl.
Pāstor et Leō — The Shepherd and the Lion
Pāstor A shepherd nōmine by name Mārcus Marcus in in agrīs the fields ovēs sheep pāscit. tends.
Ovēs Sheep sunt are animālia animals mītia. mild. Herbam Grass edunt they eat et and aquam water bibunt. they drink. Nūllum No perīculum danger faciunt. they make.
Mārcus Marcus ovēs the sheep suās his amat. loves. “Ovēs “Sheep meae,” my,” inquit, he says, “mānsuētae “gentle sunt. are. Mē Me nōn not timent, they fear, et and ego I eās them nōn not timeō.” fear.”
Subitō Suddenly fremitum a roar audit! he hears! Leō A lion ferus fierce ex from silvā the forest venit! comes!
Leō A lion est is animal an animal saevum. savage. Ovēs Sheep eum it timent fear et and pāstōrēs shepherds quoque! also!
Ovēs The sheep fugiunt! flee! Mārcus Marcus clāmat: shouts: “Ō “O ovēs sheep meae! my! Nōlīte Do not timēre!” fear!”
Sed But leō the lion propinquat. approaches. Oculī The eyes eius his lūcent. shine. Dentēs The teeth eius his candidī white sunt. are.
Mārcus Marcus nōn not fugit. flees. Baculum A staff suum his capit he takes et and ante before ovēs the sheep stat. he stands.
“Leō!” “Lion!” clāmat. he shouts. “Abī! “Go away! Ovēs The sheep meae my sunt! are! Eās Them dēfendam!” I shall defend!”
Leō The lion pāstōrem the shepherd spectat. watches. Pāstor The shepherd nōn not timet. fears. Pāstor The shepherd fortis brave est. is.
Leō The lion cōgitat: thinks: “Hic “This homō man ferus fierce est is sīcut like ego! me! Nōn Not est is facile easy praeda.” prey.”
Leō The lion sē himself vertit turns et and in into silvam the forest redit. returns.
Ovēs The sheep redeunt return ad to pāstōrem. the shepherd. Mārcus Marcus rīdet. smiles.
“Nunc “Now tūtae safe estis,” you are,” inquit. he says. “Leō “The lion abiit. has gone away. Sed But mementōte: remember: nōn not omnia all animālia animals mītia mild sunt!” are!”
Convīvae Guests in in vīllā the farmhouse vīcīnā neighboring hanc this fābulam story audiunt. hear. Hilārēs Merry sunt! they are!
“Nūntium “News laetum!” joyful!” clāmant. they shout. “Pāstor “The shepherd et and ovēs the sheep salvī safe sunt!” are!”
Amīcitia Friendship inter among vīcīnōs neighbors iūcunda delightful est. is. Locus The place amoenus pleasant est. is. Et And omnia all things grāta welcome et and accepta. acceptable.
Pāstor nōmine Mārcus in agrīs ovēs pāscit. A shepherd named Marcus tends sheep in the fields.
Ovēs sunt animālia mītia. Herbam edunt et aquam bibunt. Nūllum perīculum faciunt. Sheep are mild animals. They eat grass and drink water. They make no danger.
Mārcus ovēs suās amat. “Ovēs meae,” inquit, “mānsuētae sunt. Mē nōn timent, et ego eās nōn timeō.” Marcus loves his sheep. “My sheep,” he says, “are gentle. They do not fear me, and I do not fear them.”
Subitō fremitum audit! Leō ferus ex silvā venit! Suddenly he hears a roar! A fierce lion comes from the forest!
Leō est animal saevum. Ovēs eum timent et pāstōrēs quoque! A lion is a savage animal. Sheep fear it and shepherds too!
Ovēs fugiunt! Mārcus clāmat: “Ō ovēs meae! Nōlīte timēre!” The sheep flee! Marcus shouts: “O my sheep! Do not fear!”
Sed leō propinquat. Oculī eius lūcent. Dentēs eius candidī sunt. But the lion approaches. His eyes shine. His teeth are white.
Mārcus nōn fugit. Baculum suum capit et ante ovēs stat. Marcus does not flee. He takes his staff and stands before the sheep.
“Leō!” clāmat. “Abī! Ovēs meae sunt! Eās dēfendam!” “Lion!” he shouts. “Go away! They are my sheep! I shall defend them!”
Leō pāstōrem spectat. Pāstor nōn timet. Pāstor fortis est. The lion watches the shepherd. The shepherd does not fear. The shepherd is brave.
Leō cōgitat: “Hic homō ferus est sīcut ego! Nōn est facile praeda.” The lion thinks: “This man is fierce like me! He is not easy prey.”
Leō sē vertit et in silvam redit. The lion turns himself and returns into the forest.
Ovēs redeunt ad pāstōrem. Mārcus rīdet. The sheep return to the shepherd. Marcus smiles.
“Nunc tūtae estis,” inquit. “Leō abiit. Sed mementōte: nōn omnia animālia mītia sunt!” “Now you are safe,” he says. “The lion has gone. But remember: not all animals are mild!”
Convīvae in vīllā vīcīnā hanc fābulam audiunt. Hilārēs sunt! Guests in the neighboring farmhouse hear this story. They are merry!
“Nūntium laetum!” clāmant. “Pāstor et ovēs salvī sunt!” “Joyful news!” they shout. “The shepherd and the sheep are safe!”
Amīcitia inter vīcīnōs iūcunda est. Locus amoenus est. Et omnia grāta et accepta. Friendship among neighbors is delightful. The place is pleasant. And all things are welcome and acceptable.
Pāstor nōmine Mārcus in agrīs ovēs pāscit. Ovēs sunt animālia mītia. Herbam edunt et aquam bibunt. Nūllum perīculum faciunt.
Mārcus ovēs suās amat. “Ovēs meae,” inquit, “mānsuētae sunt. Mē nōn timent, et ego eās nōn timeō.”
Subitō fremitum audit! Leō ferus ex silvā venit! Leō est animal saevum. Ovēs eum timent et pāstōrēs quoque!
Ovēs fugiunt! Mārcus clāmat: “Ō ovēs meae! Nōlīte timēre!”
Sed leō propinquat. Oculī eius lūcent. Dentēs eius candidī sunt.
Mārcus nōn fugit. Baculum suum capit et ante ovēs stat.
“Leō!” clāmat. “Abī! Ovēs meae sunt! Eās dēfendam!”
Leō pāstōrem spectat. Pāstor nōn timet. Pāstor fortis est.
Leō cōgitat: “Hic homō ferus est sīcut ego! Nōn est facile praeda.”
Leō sē vertit et in silvam redit.
Ovēs redeunt ad pāstōrem. Mārcus rīdet.
“Nunc tūtae estis,” inquit. “Leō abiit. Sed mementōte: nōn omnia animālia mītia sunt!”
Convīvae in vīllā vīcīnā hanc fābulam audiunt. Hilārēs sunt!
“Nūntium laetum!” clāmant. “Pāstor et ovēs salvī sunt!”
Amīcitia inter vīcīnōs iūcunda est. Locus amoenus est. Et omnia grāta et accepta.
Future tense: dēfendam. “I shall defend” — 1st person singular future of dēfendō. The future tense in 3rd conjugation uses the ending -am for 1st person singular.
Negative imperative plural: nōlīte timēre. “Do not fear!” (to multiple listeners). The construction nōlīte + infinitive is the standard way to form negative commands in classical Latin.
Imperative: abī. “Go away!” — 2nd person singular imperative of abeō (go away). Note the irregular short form.
Plural imperative: mementōte. “Remember!” (to multiple listeners) — from meminī, a defective verb that exists only in perfect tenses but with present meaning.
Reflexive pronoun: sē vertit. “He turns himself” — the reflexive sē refers back to the subject (leō).
New vocabulary from this story:
Latin English Note pāstor shepherd m. fremitus roar, noise m. silva forest f. oculus eye m. dēns tooth m., gen. dentis baculum staff, stick n. praeda prey f. vīlla farmhouse, estate f. vīcīnus neighbor m. pāscō tend, feed verb fugiō flee verb propinquō approach verb dēfendō defend verb vertō turn verb redeō return verb abeō go away verb candidus white, bright adj. fortis brave, strong adj. tūtus safe adj. salvus safe, saved adj.
Comēnius et Discipulus: Dē Nātūrā Animālium
Discipulus: Student: Magister, Teacher, cūr why leō a lion saevus savage est, is, sed but ovis a sheep mītis? mild?
Comēnius: Comenius: Bona A good quaestiō! question! Deus God animālia animals dīversa different creāvit. created. Alia Some fera fierce sunt, are, alia others mānsuēta. tame.
Discipulus: Student: Sed But cūr? why?
Comēnius: Comenius: Mundus The world harmoniā by harmony constat. consists. Leō The lion cervōs deer venātur. hunts. Cervī Deer herbam grass edunt. eat. Herba Grass ē from terrā the earth crēscit. grows. Omnia All things inter among sē themselves conexa connected sunt. are.
Discipulus: Student: Ergō Therefore leō the lion malus bad nōn not est? is?
Comēnius: Comenius: Nōn Not malus bad — sed but secundum according to nātūram nature suam its own vīvit. it lives. Leō A lion ferus fierce est is quia because leō a lion est. it is. Ovis A sheep mītis mild est is quia because ovis a sheep est. it is.
Discipulus: Student: Et And homō? man? Ferus Fierce an or mītis? mild?
Comēnius: Comenius: Rīdet. He laughs. Homō Man utrumque both esse to be potest! is able! Interdum Sometimes ferus fierce est he is sīcut like leō, a lion, interdum sometimes mītis mild sīcut like ovis. a sheep.
Discipulus: Student: Quōmodo How scīmus do we know quandō when ferī fierce esse to be dēbēmus, we ought, quandō when mītēs? mild?
Comēnius: Comenius: Ecce Behold sapientia! wisdom! Pāstor The shepherd in in fābulā the story ferus fierce fuit was contrā against leōnem the lion — ut in order that ovēs the sheep dēfenderet. he might defend. Sed But mītis mild est he is cum with ovibus the sheep suīs. his.
Discipulus: Student: Ergō Therefore tempus time et and locus place docent teach nōs us quōmodo how agere to act dēbēmus? we ought?
Comēnius: Comenius: Rēctē! Correct! Nōn Not semper always ferī, fierce, nōn not semper always mītēs. mild. Sed But prūdentēs wise — sciāmus may we know quandō when utrumque. each.
Discipulus: Student: Haec This lectiō lesson iūcunda delightful est! is!
Comēnius: Comenius: Ita! Yes! Discere To learn semper always iūcundum delightful est. is. Et And amīcitia friendship inter between magistrum teacher et and discipulum student iūcundissima! most delightful!
Discipulus: Student: Nūntium News laetum! joyful!
Comēnius: Comenius: Rīdet. He laughs. Ita Yes — et and omnia all things grāta welcome et and accepta! acceptable!
Discipulus: Magister, cūr leō saevus est, sed ovis mītis? Student: Teacher, why is a lion savage, but a sheep mild?
Comēnius: Bona quaestiō! Deus animālia dīversa creāvit. Alia fera sunt, alia mānsuēta. Comenius: A good question! God created different animals. Some are fierce, others tame.
Discipulus: Sed cūr? Student: But why?
Comēnius: Mundus harmoniā constat. Leō cervōs venātur. Cervī herbam edunt. Herba ē terrā crēscit. Omnia inter sē conexa sunt. Comenius: The world consists by harmony. The lion hunts deer. Deer eat grass. Grass grows from the earth. All things are connected among themselves.
Discipulus: Ergō leō malus nōn est? Student: Therefore the lion is not bad?
Comēnius: Nōn malus — sed secundum nātūram suam vīvit. Leō ferus est quia leō est. Ovis mītis est quia ovis est. Comenius: Not bad — but it lives according to its own nature. A lion is fierce because it is a lion. A sheep is mild because it is a sheep.
Discipulus: Et homō? Ferus an mītis? Student: And man? Fierce or mild?
Comēnius: Rīdet. Homō utrumque esse potest! Interdum ferus est sīcut leō, interdum mītis sīcut ovis. Comenius: He laughs. Man is able to be both! Sometimes he is fierce like a lion, sometimes mild like a sheep.
Discipulus: Quōmodo scīmus quandō ferī esse dēbēmus, quandō mītēs? Student: How do we know when we ought to be fierce, when mild?
Comēnius: Ecce sapientia! Pāstor in fābulā ferus fuit contrā leōnem — ut ovēs dēfenderet. Sed mītis est cum ovibus suīs. Comenius: Behold wisdom! The shepherd in the story was fierce against the lion — in order that he might defend the sheep. But he is mild with his sheep.
Discipulus: Ergō tempus et locus docent nōs quōmodo agere dēbēmus? Student: Therefore time and place teach us how we ought to act?
Comēnius: Rēctē! Nōn semper ferī, nōn semper mītēs. Sed prūdentēs — sciāmus quandō utrumque. Comenius: Correct! Not always fierce, not always mild. But wise — may we know when each.
Discipulus: Haec lectiō iūcunda est! Student: This lesson is delightful!
Comēnius: Ita! Discere semper iūcundum est. Et amīcitia inter magistrum et discipulum iūcundissima! Comenius: Yes! To learn is always delightful. And friendship between teacher and student is most delightful!
Discipulus: Nūntium laetum! Student: Joyful news!
Comēnius: Rīdet. Ita — et omnia grāta et accepta! Comenius: He laughs. Yes — and all things welcome and acceptable!
Discipulus: Magister, cūr leō saevus est, sed ovis mītis? Comēnius: Bona quaestiō! Deus animālia dīversa creāvit. Alia fera sunt, alia mānsuēta. Discipulus: Sed cūr? Comēnius: Mundus harmoniā constat. Leō cervōs venātur. Cervī herbam edunt. Herba ē terrā crēscit. Omnia inter sē conexa sunt. Discipulus: Ergō leō malus nōn est? Comēnius: Nōn malus — sed secundum nātūram suam vīvit. Leō ferus est quia leō est. Ovis mītis est quia ovis est. Discipulus: Et homō? Ferus an mītis? Comēnius: Rīdet. Homō utrumque esse potest! Interdum ferus est sīcut leō, interdum mītis sīcut ovis. Discipulus: Quōmodo scīmus quandō ferī esse dēbēmus, quandō mītēs? Comēnius: Ecce sapientia! Pāstor in fābulā ferus fuit contrā leōnem — ut ovēs dēfenderet. Sed mītis est cum ovibus suīs. Discipulus: Ergō tempus et locus docent nōs quōmodo agere dēbēmus? Comēnius: Rēctē! Nōn semper ferī, nōn semper mītēs. Sed prūdentēs — sciāmus quandō utrumque. Discipulus: Haec lectiō iūcunda est! Comēnius: Ita! Discere semper iūcundum est. Et amīcitia inter magistrum et discipulum iūcundissima! Discipulus: Nūntium laetum! Comēnius: Rīdet. Ita — et omnia grāta et accepta!
Imperfect subjunctive: dēfenderet. “He might defend” — used in a purpose clause (ut ovēs dēfenderet — in order that he might defend the sheep).
Deponent verb: venātur. “Hunts” — from vēnor, vēnārī (to hunt). Deponent verbs have passive forms but active meanings.
Hortatory subjunctive: sciāmus. “May we know, let us know” — 1st person plural present subjunctive used to express exhortation.
Superlative: iūcundissima. “Most delightful” — superlative of iūcundus. Formed by adding -issimus, -a, -um to the stem.
The pronoun utrumque. “Both, each of two” — from uterque, utraque, utrumque. Here used as a substantive: “each one, both things.”
New vocabulary from this colloquium:
Latin English Note cervus deer m. harmonia harmony f. nātūra nature f. prūdēns wise, prudent adj., gen. prūdentis cōnstō consist, stand together verb vēnor hunt deponent verb conexus connected participle secundum according to prep. + acc. interdum sometimes adverb uterque each of two, both pronoun
Practice brings understanding. Do each exercise with care.
Exercitātiō I: Match the animal to its quality. Draw a line between each animal and its nature.
Animal Quality 1. leō a. mītis 2. ovis b. mānsuētum 3. ūnicornis c. saevus 4. vacca d. ferum
(Answers: 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b)
Exercitātiō II: Match the pleasant words. Draw a line between each Latin word and its English meaning.
Latin English 1. hilāris a. pleasant (to sight) 2. amoenus b. welcome 3. iūcundus c. joyful 4. laetus d. merry 5. grātus e. delightful
(Answers: 1-d, 2-a, 3-e, 4-c, 5-b)
Exercitātiō III: Complete the sentence. Fill each gap with the correct Latin word. -
Nōs incēdimus __________. (clothed) -
Leō est animal __________. (savage) -
Ovis est __________. (mild) -
Convīva est __________. (merry) -
Amīcitia est __________. (delightful) -
Nūntium est __________. (joyful)
(Answers: 1. vestītī, 2. saevum, 3. mītis, 4. hilāris, 5. iūcunda, 6. laetum)
Exercitātiō IV: Translate into English. -
Ūnicornis est ferum animal. -
Vacca mānsuēta est. -
Locus amoenus est. -
Omnia illa grāta et accepta. -
Indī nūdī incēdunt.
(Answers: 1. A unicorn is a fierce animal. 2. A cow is gentle. 3. A place is pleasant. 4. All those things are welcome and acceptable. 5. The Indians walk naked.)
Exercitātiō V: Translate into Latin. -
A sheep is a mild animal. -
A guest is merry. -
Friendship is pleasant. -
The news is joyful. -
A lion is savage.
(Answers: 1. Ovis est animal mīte. 2. Convīva est hilāris. 3. Amīcitia est iūcunda/amoena. 4. Nūntium est laetum. 5. Leō est saevus.)
Exercitātiō VI: Classify the animals. Sort these animals into two categories:
leō, ovis, ūnicornis, vacca
FERA (Fierce) MĀNSUĒTA (Gentle)
(Answers: Fera: leō, ūnicornis. Mānsuēta: ovis, vacca)
Exercitātiō VII: Create sentences. Using the pattern [Subject] est [adjective], create your own Latin sentences about: -
A dog (canis, m.) -
A cat (fēlēs, f.) -
A horse (equus, m.)
(Example answers: Canis est fidēlis. Fēlēs est callida. Equus est celer.)
A glimpse of what awaits...
In the next lesson we continue with more qualities of suitability and comparison:
Locus est commodus vel incommodus. A place is suitable or unsuitable.
Tempus opportūnum vel inopportūnum. Time is seasonable or unseasonable.
Instrūmentum aptum vel ineptum. An instrument is fit or unfit.
Persōna idōnea vel inidōnea. A person is suitable or unsuitable.
And then comparisons:
Prīmus est doctus. Secundus doctior. Tertius doctissimus. The first is learned. The second more learned. The third most learned.
The degrees of comparison open before us — positive, comparative, superlative. The porch of Latin grows ever wider.
Prōgredere. Press on.
Fīnis Lectiōnis Sextae
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Iōanne Amōs Comeniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
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