A riddle?

By Rhiannonw

Wed, 30 Aug 2023
  • 970 reads
13 comments
 

A bench with a view
by old stones of myth and history;
the slight rise of the Cotswolds
gives sight of gentle slopes receding
and golden corn for harvesting.

A bench with a message –
latin words, no linked meaning.
Look again, squeeze and separate
– a gentle invitation!

What does it say?

ORE  STABIT  FORTIS  ARARE  PLACET  ORE  STAT

Photo is of ‘The Whistpering Knights’, one of the Rollright Stones’ groups.

Old engraved words on bench highlighted by me on my photo

Answer (posted 31 August)

ORE  STABIT  FORTIS  ARARE  PLACET  ORE  STAT
= O rest a bit for tis a rare place to rest at

Certificate U
Poem
Countryside explorations
Humour
Nature
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's certainly a conundrum to me as to what the words mean Rhiannon. I loved the standing stones with that amazing backdrop...what a view.

Always enjoy your Countryside explorations.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. Try removing the spaces and working out where they should come? 

If no-one gives the answer, maybe I will later! My husband looked it up on the internet and got the clue. I think I realised what he was laughing about. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Very clever!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I take it you got the message now! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

yes, but only because you hinted!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Nicely done, Rhiannon. It took me a few goes but I can see what it says now. A lovely photo as well. Paul :)

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Paul. It gave us a bit of fun. But I wonder how many visitors notice, especially now it's weathered, unless friends pass the word on! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I know what it means (I think). I must confess that I cheated and used my internet translating machine.

If I give the answer will it spoil the fun? Perhaps I should wait and let people do a bit more puzzling and head scratching.

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Internet translation doesn't help as the latin doesn't make sense. The meaning is very simple. Have you seen the hint I gave above to Jenny? Otherwise, maybe I should put up the answer? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Ah, now I've got it. There's really nothing to translate.

This is very clever. I don't know much about Latin but Google Translate does seem to recognise the words as being written in Latin.

What a wonderful discovery.

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It's rather nice isn't it? The individual words seemed to come up in google latin dictionary, but that is just the fun of it. Someone certainly enjoyed himself and must have wondered how many passers-by would 'get it'. Rhiannon

 

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I remember staring at words in Latin tests and wishing they would make sense. I got this much more easily, but I think because of your hint :0) It is brilliant that they are actually Latin words, isn't it? Also, kind of a metaphor for how we cannot really understand the past through words, in that the Latin even when correctly translated, makes no sense. Yet the truth is there anyway, because People are the same through history, it is circumstances which are different

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

That sounds a bit complicated too! But I guess what you mean is that a real Latin phrase might not really convey much to us from that past, or what it conveys will be always very limited, but all will appreciate a rest with that view to look at! I do wonder who enjoyed this mischievous engraving, and how many people he told of the real meanning! Rhiannon