← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
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Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī! In lectiōne praecēdentī dē ōrnāmentīs et mēnsā dīdicimus — dē pileīs et collāribus, dē cochleāribus et cultrīs. Nunc ad ministrātiōnem cēnae prōgredimur! Quis muscās abigit? Quis patīnās tollit? Quis vīnum īnfundit? Et quandō sōl occidit — quis candēlās accendit?
Greetings, dearest students! In the preceding lesson we learned about adornments and the table — about caps and collars, about spoons and knives. Now we proceed to the service of dinner! Who drives away the flies? Who takes away the dishes? Who pours the wine? And when the sun sets — who lights the candles?
Hodiē dē ministrīs et eōrum officiīs discēmus. Et dē candēlīs — quōmodo accendantur, quōmodo ēmungantur, quōmodo in candēlābrīs pōnantur. Lūx enim necessāria est — et in mēnsā et in vītā!
Today we shall learn about servants and their duties. And about candles — how they are lit, how they are snuffed, how they are placed in candlesticks. For light is necessary — both at the table and in life!
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Muscās flies abige drive away muscāriō. with a fly-whisk. Tolle take away patīnās. the dishes. Īnfunde pour in into pōculum, the cup, et and propīnā drink to hospitibus. the guests. Accende light candēlam, a candle, inde put it candēlābrō. in the candlestick. Ēmunge snuff ēmūnctōriō with snuffers sed but ut so that nē not extinguās. you may extinguish.
Muscās abige muscāriō — Drive away (abige) flies (muscās) with a fly-whisk (muscāriō). Abigō (ab- + agō) means “to drive away.” Muscārium is a fly-whisk or fly-flap (from musca, fly).
Tolle patīnās — Take away (tolle) the dishes (patīnās). Tollō means “to lift, take away, remove.” Patīna is a dish or plate.
Īnfunde in pōculum, et propīnā hospitibus — Pour (īnfunde) into (in) the cup (pōculum), and (et) drink to (propīnā) the guests (hospitibus). Īnfundō means “to pour in.” Propīnō means “to drink to someone’s health, toast.”
Accende candēlam, inde candēlābrō — Light (accende) a candle (candēlam), put it (inde) in the candlestick (candēlābrō). Accendō means “to kindle, light.” Candēlābrum is a candlestick or candelabra. Inde here means “put it therein.”
Ēmunge ēmūnctōriō sed ut nē extinguās — Snuff (ēmunge) with snuffers (ēmūnctōriō) but (sed) so that (ut) you may not (nē) extinguish (extinguās). Ēmungō means “to blow one’s nose; to snuff a candle.” Ēmūnctōrium is a snuffer. The purpose clause ut nē extinguās warns against putting out the candle entirely.
Muscās abige muscāriō. Drive away flies with a fly-whisk.
Tolle patīnās. Take away the dishes.
Īnfunde in pōculum, et propīnā hospitibus. Pour into the cup, and drink to the guests.
Accende candēlam, inde candēlābrō. Light a candle, put it in the candlestick.
Ēmunge ēmūnctōriō sed ut nē extinguās. Snuff with snuffers but so that you may not extinguish.
Muscās abige muscāriō. Tolle patīnās. Īnfunde in pōculum, et propīnā hospitibus. Accende candēlam, inde candēlābrō. Ēmunge ēmūnctōriō sed ut nē extinguās.
This passage is full of second-person singular imperatives — commands:
Imperātīvus Īnfīnītīvus Significātiō abige abigere drive away! tolle tollere take away! īnfunde īnfundere pour! propīnā propīnāre drink to! accende accendere light! ēmunge ēmungere snuff!
Ut nē + subjunctive expresses negative purpose (”so that... not, lest”):
Exemplum Significātiō ut nē extinguās so that you may not extinguish ut nē cadās so that you may not fall ut nē oblīvīscāris so that you may not forget
Note: nē alone can also introduce negative purpose clauses.
Propīnō, propīnāre means “to drink to someone’s health, to toast”:
Exemplum Significātiō propīnō hospitibus I drink to the guests propīnō tibi I toast you
Takes dative of the person being toasted.
Vocābulum Significātiō candeō, candēre to shine, be white/bright candēla, -ae (f.) candle candēlābrum, -ī (n.) candlestick candidus, -a, -um white, bright
All from the root meaning “to shine, glow.”
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō musca, -ae (f.) nōmen fly abigō, abigere, abēgī, abāctum verbum to drive away muscārium, -ī (n.) nōmen fly-whisk tollō, tollere, sustulī, sublātum verbum to lift, take away patīna, -ae (f.) nōmen dish, plate īnfundō, īnfundere, īnfūdī, īnfūsum verbum to pour in pōculum, -ī (n.) nōmen cup propīnō, propīnāre, propīnāvī, propīnātum verbum to drink to, toast hospes, hospitis (m.) nōmen guest accendō, accendere, accendī, accēnsum verbum to light, kindle candēla, -ae (f.) nōmen candle candēlābrum, -ī (n.) nōmen candlestick ēmungō, ēmungere, ēmūnxī, ēmūnctum verbum to snuff (a candle) ēmūnctōrium, -ī (n.) nōmen snuffers extinguō, extinguere, extīnxī, extīnctum verbum to extinguish, put out
Ōlim once candēla a candle in in candēlābrō a candlestick stābat. was standing. Flamma the flame eius its parvula small erat was — sed — but lūcem light praebēbat was providing tōtī to the whole cubiculō. room. Candēla the candle superba proud erat. was.
“Ego,” “I,” inquit, she said, “lūcem “light mundō to the world afferō! bring! Sine without mē, me, tenebrae darkness essent. would be. Sine without mē, me, hominēs men nihil nothing vidērent! would see! Ego I sum am rēgīna the queen noctis!” of the night!”
Tenebrae the darkness audīvērunt heard et and rīsērunt. laughed. “Tū,” “you,” inquiunt, they say, “parvula “small es. are. Flamma the flame tua your mox soon extinguētur. will be extinguished. Nōs we autem however aeternae eternal sumus! are! Postquam after tū you cōnsūmpta consumed eris, will be, nōs we redībimus!” shall return!”
Candēla the candle perterrita terrified est. was. Dīxit she said sē herself mortem death timēre. to fear. Dīxit she said sē herself nōlle not to want extinguī. to be extinguished.
Tum then vōx a voice ē from tenebrīs the darkness vēnit came — sed — but nōn not vōx the voice tenebrārum! of darkness! Erat it was vōx the voice magistrī of the master domūs. of the house.
“Candēla “candle mea,” my,” inquit, he said, “nōlī “do not want timēre! to fear! Tū you quidem indeed cōnsūmēris will be consumed — sed — but nōn not frūstrā! in vain! Dum while lūcēs, you shine, hominēs men legunt, read, scrībunt, write, cēnant, dine, loquuntur. speak. Dum while lūcēs, you shine, puerī children dormiunt sleep sine without timōre. fear. Dum while lūcēs, you shine, tenebrae the darkness fugātae put to flight sunt!” are!”
Candēla the candle intellēxit. understood. “Ergō,” “therefore,” inquit, she said, “nōn “not dēbeō must I timēre fear mortem death — sed — but gaudēre rejoice vītā! in life! Dum while vīvō, I live, lūceō. I shine. Dum while lūceō, I shine, prōsum! I am useful! Hoc this satis enough est!” is!”
Et and candēla the candle clārius more brightly lūcēre to shine coepit began — nōn — not iam now timens, fearing, sed but gaudens! rejoicing!
Haec this fābula fable docet: teaches: Vīta life brevis short est is — sed — but pretiōsa! precious! Nōn not quaerendum is it to be asked quamdiū how long vīvāmus we may live — sed — but quam how bene well lūceāmus! we may shine! Melius better est is breviter briefly lūcēre to shine quam than diū for a long time in in tenebrīs darkness latēre! to hide!
Ōlim candēla in candēlābrō stābat. Once a candle was standing in a candlestick.
Flamma eius parvula erat — sed lūcem praebēbat tōtī cubiculō. Its flame was small — but was providing light to the whole room.
Candēla superba erat. “Ego,” inquit, “lūcem mundō afferō!” The candle was proud. “I,” she said, “bring light to the world!”
“Sine mē, tenebrae essent. Sine mē, hominēs nihil vidērent!” “Without me, there would be darkness. Without me, men would see nothing!”
“Ego sum rēgīna noctis!” “I am the queen of the night!”
Tenebrae audīvērunt et rīsērunt. The darkness heard and laughed.
“Tū,” inquiunt, “parvula es. Flamma tua mox extinguētur.” “You,” they say, “are small. Your flame will soon be extinguished.”
“Nōs autem aeternae sumus! Postquam tū cōnsūmpta eris, nōs redībimus!” “But we are eternal! After you will be consumed, we shall return!”
Candēla perterrita est. Dīxit sē mortem timēre. Dīxit sē nōlle extinguī. The candle was terrified. She said that she feared death. She said that she did not want to be extinguished.
Tum vōx ē tenebrīs vēnit — sed nōn vōx tenebrārum! Then a voice came from the darkness — but not the voice of darkness!
Erat vōx magistrī domūs. It was the voice of the master of the house.
“Candēla mea,” inquit, “nōlī timēre!” “My candle,” he said, “do not fear!”
“Tū quidem cōnsūmēris — sed nōn frūstrā!” “You indeed will be consumed — but not in vain!”
“Dum lūcēs, hominēs legunt, scrībunt, cēnant, loquuntur.” “While you shine, men read, write, dine, speak.”
“Dum lūcēs, puerī dormiunt sine timōre.” “While you shine, children sleep without fear.”
“Dum lūcēs, tenebrae fugātae sunt!” “While you shine, the darkness is put to flight!”
Candēla intellēxit. “Ergō,” inquit, “nōn dēbeō timēre mortem — sed gaudēre vītā!” The candle understood. “Therefore,” she said, “I must not fear death — but rejoice in life!”
“Dum vīvō, lūceō. Dum lūceō, prōsum! Hoc satis est!” “While I live, I shine. While I shine, I am useful! This is enough!”
Et candēla clārius lūcēre coepit — nōn iam timens, sed gaudens! And the candle began to shine more brightly — no longer fearing, but rejoicing!
Haec fābula docet: Vīta brevis est — sed pretiōsa! This fable teaches: Life is short — but precious!
Nōn quaerendum quamdiū vīvāmus — sed quam bene lūceāmus! It is not to be asked how long we may live — but how well we may shine!
Melius est breviter lūcēre quam diū in tenebrīs latēre! It is better to shine briefly than to hide in darkness for a long time!
Ōlim candēla in candēlābrō stābat. Flamma eius parvula erat — sed lūcem praebēbat tōtī cubiculō. Candēla superba erat.
“Ego,” inquit, “lūcem mundō afferō! Sine mē, tenebrae essent. Sine mē, hominēs nihil vidērent! Ego sum rēgīna noctis!”
Tenebrae audīvērunt et rīsērunt. “Tū,” inquiunt, “parvula es. Flamma tua mox extinguētur. Nōs autem aeternae sumus! Postquam tū cōnsūmpta eris, nōs redībimus!”
Candēla perterrita est. Dīxit sē mortem timēre. Dīxit sē nōlle extinguī.
Tum vōx ē tenebrīs vēnit — sed nōn vōx tenebrārum! Erat vōx magistrī domūs.
“Candēla mea,” inquit, “nōlī timēre! Tū quidem cōnsūmēris — sed nōn frūstrā! Dum lūcēs, hominēs legunt, scrībunt, cēnant, loquuntur. Dum lūcēs, puerī dormiunt sine timōre. Dum lūcēs, tenebrae fugātae sunt!”
Candēla intellēxit. “Ergō,” inquit, “nōn dēbeō timēre mortem — sed gaudēre vītā! Dum vīvō, lūceō. Dum lūceō, prōsum! Hoc satis est!”
Et candēla clārius lūcēre coepit — nōn iam timens, sed gaudens!
Haec fābula docet: Vīta brevis est — sed pretiōsa! Nōn quaerendum quamdiū vīvāmus — sed quam bene lūceāmus! Melius est breviter lūcēre quam diū in tenebrīs latēre!
Dē Argūmentō:
This fable personifies a candle who fears being extinguished but learns from the master of the house that her purpose is to shine while she can. The moral echoes the ancient wisdom: it is better to burn brightly and briefly than to hide in eternal darkness.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Ōrātiō oblīqua: Dīxit sē mortem timēre, sē nōlle extinguī -
Contrary-to-fact conditional: Sine mē, tenebrae essent — “Without me, there would be darkness” -
Future passive: extinguētur, cōnsūmēris -
Impersonal gerundive: nōn quaerendum — “it is not to be asked” -
Negative command: nōlī timēre — “do not fear”
Vocabula Fābulae:
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō flamma, -ae (f.) nōmen flame parvulus, -a, -um adiectīvum small, little lūx, lūcis (f.) nōmen light praebeō, praebēre verbum to provide, offer superbus, -a, -um adiectīvum proud tenebrae, -ārum (f. pl.) nōmen darkness aeternus, -a, -um adiectīvum eternal cōnsūmō, cōnsūmere verbum to consume perterritus, -a, -um participium terrified frūstrā adverbium in vain lūceō, lūcēre, lūxī verbum to shine fugō, fugāre verbum to put to flight prōsum, prōdesse verbum to be useful pretiōsus, -a, -um adiectīvum precious lateō, latēre verbum to hide, lie hidden
DISCIPULUS: Magister, master, Rōmānīne did the Romans candēlīs candles ūtēbantur? use?
MAGISTER: Ita so — et — and lampādibus lamps quoque! also! Candēlae candles ē from sēbō tallow aut or cērā wax factae made erant. were. Lampādēs lamps oleō oil aliēbantur. were fed.
DISCIPULUS: Quid what erat was melius better — candēla — a candle an or lampas? a lamp?
MAGISTER: Lampādēs lamps diūtius longer lūcēbant used to shine — sed — but fumum smoke faciēbant. used to make. Candēlae candles celerius more quickly cōnsūmēbantur were consumed — sed — but lūcem light clāriōrem brighter praebēbant. used to provide.
DISCIPULUS: Et and quōmodo how candēlam a candle ēmungēbant? did they snuff?
MAGISTER: Ēmūnctōriō! with snuffers! Sī if flamma the flame nimis too magna large fit, becomes, candēla the candle fumat smokes et and celeriter quickly cōnsūmitur. is consumed. Ergō therefore — flamma — the flame ēmungenda is to be snuffed est, is, sed but cautē carefully — ut — so that nē not extinguātur! it may be extinguished!
DISCIPULUS: Difficile difficult vidētur! it seems!
MAGISTER: Ita so vērō! indeed! Ministrī servants hoc this officium duty habēbant. had. Bonus a good minister servant sciēbat knew quandō when ēmungendum to snuff esset, it was, quandō when oleum oil addendum, to add, quandō when candēla a candle nova new accendenda. to light.
DISCIPULUS: Sīcut just as magister a master bonus good scit knows quandō when docendum, to teach, quandō when tacendum! to be silent!
MAGISTER: Optimē excellently dictum! said! Lūx light doctrīnae of teaching — sīcut — just as lūx light candēlae of a candle — cūranda is to be tended est! is! Nōn not nimis too much splendeat, may it shine, nē lest discentēs learners excaecet. it blind. Nōn not nimis too little parvula small sit, may it be, nē lest in in tenebrīs darkness relinquat! it leave!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, Rōmānīne candēlīs ūtēbantur? Master, did the Romans use candles?
MAGISTER: Ita — et lampādibus quoque! Yes — and lamps also!
Candēlae ē sēbō aut cērā factae erant. Lampādēs oleō aliēbantur. Candles were made from tallow or wax. Lamps were fed with oil.
DISCIPULUS: Quid erat melius — candēla an lampas? What was better — a candle or a lamp?
MAGISTER: Lampādēs diūtius lūcēbant — sed fumum faciēbant. Lamps used to shine longer — but used to make smoke.
Candēlae celerius cōnsūmēbantur — sed lūcem clāriōrem praebēbant. Candles were consumed more quickly — but used to provide brighter light.
DISCIPULUS: Et quōmodo candēlam ēmungēbant? And how did they snuff a candle?
MAGISTER: Ēmūnctōriō! Sī flamma nimis magna fit, candēla fumat et celeriter cōnsūmitur. With snuffers! If the flame becomes too large, the candle smokes and is consumed quickly.
Ergō — flamma ēmungenda est, sed cautē — ut nē extinguātur! Therefore — the flame is to be snuffed, but carefully — so that it may not be extinguished!
DISCIPULUS: Difficile vidētur! It seems difficult!
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Ministrī hoc officium habēbant. So indeed! Servants had this duty.
Bonus minister sciēbat quandō ēmungendum esset, quandō oleum addendum, quandō candēla nova accendenda. A good servant knew when it was to snuff, when to add oil, when to light a new candle.
DISCIPULUS: Sīcut magister bonus scit quandō docendum, quandō tacendum! Just as a good master knows when to teach, when to be silent!
MAGISTER: Optimē dictum! Lūx doctrīnae — sīcut lūx candēlae — cūranda est! Excellently said! The light of teaching — just as the light of a candle — is to be tended!
Nōn nimis splendeat, nē discentēs excaecet. Nōn nimis parvula sit, nē in tenebrīs relinquat! May it not shine too much, lest it blind the learners. May it not be too small, lest it leave them in darkness!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, Rōmānīne candēlīs ūtēbantur?
MAGISTER: Ita — et lampādibus quoque! Candēlae ē sēbō aut cērā factae erant. Lampādēs oleō aliēbantur.
DISCIPULUS: Quid erat melius — candēla an lampas?
MAGISTER: Lampādēs diūtius lūcēbant — sed fumum faciēbant. Candēlae celerius cōnsūmēbantur — sed lūcem clāriōrem praebēbant.
DISCIPULUS: Et quōmodo candēlam ēmungēbant?
MAGISTER: Ēmūnctōriō! Sī flamma nimis magna fit, candēla fumat et celeriter cōnsūmitur. Ergō — flamma ēmungenda est, sed cautē — ut nē extinguātur!
DISCIPULUS: Difficile vidētur!
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Ministrī hoc officium habēbant. Bonus minister sciēbat quandō ēmungendum esset, quandō oleum addendum, quandō candēla nova accendenda.
DISCIPULUS: Sīcut magister bonus scit quandō docendum, quandō tacendum!
MAGISTER: Optimē dictum! Lūx doctrīnae — sīcut lūx candēlae — cūranda est! Nōn nimis splendeat, nē discentēs excaecet. Nōn nimis parvula sit, nē in tenebrīs relinquat!
Dē Argūmentō Paedagōgicō:
This colloquium compares candles and lamps, explains snuffing technique, and draws a pedagogical analogy: teaching, like candlelight, must be tended — not too bright (overwhelming), not too dim (leaving students in darkness).
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Comparative adverbs: diūtius, celerius, clāriōrem -
Impersonal gerundive: ēmungendum esset, addendum, accendenda -
Negative purpose: nē excaecet, nē relinquat -
Alternative question: candēla an lampas?
Give the imperative form: -
abigere → __________ -
tollere → __________ -
accendere → __________ -
īnfundere → __________
Put in logical order (1-5):
___ Ēmunge candēlam ēmūnctōriō. ___ Muscās abige muscāriō. ___ Accende candēlam. ___ Tolle patīnās. ___ Īnfunde in pōculum et propīnā hospitibus.
-
Drive away flies with a fly-whisk. -
Take away the dishes. -
Light a candle, put it in the candlestick. -
Snuff with snuffers. -
It is better to shine briefly than to hide in darkness.
-
Muscās abige muscāriō. -
Tolle patīnās. -
Īnfunde in pōculum, et propīnā hospitibus. -
Accende candēlam, inde candēlābrō. -
Ēmunge ēmūnctōriō sed ut nē extinguās.
Complete with the correct subjunctive: -
Ēmunge candēlam ut nē __________. (extinguō) -
Cautē ambulā ut nē __________. (cadō) -
Tacē ut nē __________. (perturbō)
Memorize these sentences: -
Muscās abige muscāriō. Drive away flies with a fly-whisk. -
Tolle patīnās. Take away the dishes. -
Īnfunde in pōculum, et propīnā hospitibus. Pour into the cup, and drink to the guests. -
Accende candēlam, inde candēlābrō. Ēmunge ēmūnctōriō sed ut nē extinguās. Light a candle, put it in the candlestick. Snuff with snuffers but so that you may not extinguish. -
Melius est breviter lūcēre quam diū in tenebrīs latēre! It is better to shine briefly than to hide in darkness for a long time!
-
abige -
tolle -
accende -
īnfunde
5 Ēmunge candēlam (last — after candle burns) 1 Muscās abige (first — during meal) 4 Accende candēlam (when darkness falls) 2 Tolle patīnās (after meal) 3 Īnfunde et propīnā (during meal)
(Note: Order may vary depending on interpretation)
-
Muscās muscāriō abige. -
Patīnās tolle. -
Candēlam accende, inde candēlābrō. -
Ēmūnctōriō ēmunge. -
Melius est breviter lūcēre quam diū in tenebrīs latēre.
-
Drive away flies with a fly-whisk. -
Take away the dishes. -
Pour into the cup, and drink to the guests. -
Light a candle, put it in the candlestick. -
Snuff with snuffers but so that you may not extinguish.
-
extinguās -
cadās -
perturbēs
In proximā lectiōne dē familiā discēmus! Vidēbimus quōmodo vir et mulier coniugēs fīant, quōmodo viduus virginem dūcat, quōmodo spōnsus spōnsam habeat. Et dē nūptiīs audiēmus — dē marītō et marītā! Vir et mulier sunt coniugēs. Viduus dūcit interdum virginem. Spōnsus habet spōnsam. Post nūptiās, marītus marītam.
In the next lesson we shall learn about the family! We shall see how man and woman become spouses, how a widower marries a maiden, how a bridegroom has a bride. And we shall hear about marriage — about husband and wife! Man and woman are spouses. A widower sometimes marries a maiden. A bridegroom has a bride. After the wedding, a husband (has) a wife.
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
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