Edgar Allen Poe's gravestone is said to have the Latin inscription "Hic Tandem Felicis Conduntur Reliquae" (Here, at last, he is happy). My questions are :

1) How accurate is the translation ?
2) What would be the first person equivalent (Here, at last, I am happy) ?

Ah, the curious Latin of poetry and inscriptions ! If they wanted to say 'Here at last I am happy' they could have put 'Hic tandem felix sum '[Here + at last+ happy +I am]

As it is they've gone all poetic, even to the extent of spelling reliquiae 'remains' as reliquae a spelling used only by Latin poets (because it fitted the rhythm, the beats, of their lines better )

Their effort may not be felicitous Taking it word for word we have: Hic (here) tandem (at last) felicis ( of a/the happy something masculine .It's an adjective but we treat it as having the word 'man' unstated but understood in the context. This is common in Latin) conduntur (are interred/ are laid/ are preserved ) reliquae (the remains).

So, playing around with that text, we have " Here are interred the remains of a man happy at last " That's what the writer meant: somehow I don't think translating it as " Here at last are interred the remains of a happy man " quite conveys his intention, though that seems valid to me That's inscriptions for you.

This post reminded me of my trip to Baltimore about 5 years ago for a trade show. My co-worker and I were out power walking one morning near the Inner Harbor where our hotel was, and came upon the MOST beautiful old church which was obviously undergoing some renovation or restoration of some sort. It had 6' wrought iron fencing all around, and an old graveyard. As we were admiring it through the fence, a gentleman came out who ended up being the caretaker, and he invited us in to take a look around. At the rear of the church was Edgar Allen Poe's grave, which we didn't know was there and absolutely made our trip!

Here is a great story I found about it.

The one we saw was obviously the grave talked about in the story, because it looked NOTHING like THIS which is apparently the monument visited today.

It was a really neat experience, thanks for the post that kindled the memory!

Thanks for the quick and thorough answer Fred. Giz, cool story that I am glad you shared here.

Reminds me of the story about the man who went to order a headstone for his late wife.
The stonemason asked him what he wanted on the headstone.
"Just her name, date of birth and date she died," replied the man.
"Would you like any message adding?" asked the stone mason.
"Well," said the man, "she was quite religious, so perhaps you could put "SHE WAS THINE".
"Certainly, sir, I'll have it ready by next week."

The man went back after a week and there was the headstone with the message reading

"Emily Brown, born 24.7.1936, Died 23.6.2006- She was Thin"

"You've missed the "E" out of the message" said the man to the stonemason.
"Sorry, sir, I'll correct it and it'll be ready Friday."
The man went back on Friday to see the headstone now reading,

"Emily Brown, born 24.7.1936, Died 23.6.2006- Ee, She was Thin"


(I'll get my coat, but not before wishing all my friends on Answerpool a very Happy New Year!)

quote:

Originally posted by Fourbrick2:
Reminds me of the story about the man who went to order a headstone for his late wife.
The stonemason asked him what he wanted on the headstone.
"Just her name, date of birth and date she died," replied the man.
"Would you like any message adding?" asked the stone mason.
"Well," said the man, "she was quite religious, so perhaps you could put "SHE WAS THINE".
"Certainly, sir, I'll have it ready by next week."

The man went back after a week and there was the headstone with the message reading

"Emily Brown, born 24.7.1936, Died 23.6.2006- She was Thin"

"You've missed the "E" out of the message" said the man to the stonemason.
"Sorry, sir, I'll correct it and it'll be ready Friday."
The man went back on Friday to see the headstone now reading,

"Emily Brown, born 24.7.1936, Died 23.6.2006- Ee, She was Thin"



(I'll get my coat, but not before wishing all my friends on Answerpool a very Happy New Year!)

GROAN. By 'eck, Fourbrick.Happy New Year, anyway !