# omnis mundi creatura, english translation

also known as "name of the rose" or "sequence of the rose".

translated from the german version by [turba delirantium](http://turba-delirantium.skyrocket.de/bibliotheca/alanus_ab_insulis_omnis_mundi_creatura.htm). the original was written in latin by [alain de lille](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alain_de_Lille) (1120-1202).

~~~
the creatures of this earth
are a book and a painting
and a mirror of our being.
to our life, our death,
our situation, our lot
can they be a sign.

the rose shows our condition
it clearly describes our situation,
our life it represents.
the rose which blooms in the early morning,
as soon as the blossom blooms the blossom fades
when everything wilts in the evening.

freshly dewy wastes away the blossom
when it pale with feverish chills
in blooming already fades away.
old and young at the same hour,
old man and child in equal measure,
wilts the rose in bloom.

also the springtime of man's life
and youth's first morning
blooms for a short time.
but in the evening of life ends
this morning and soon draws near
each life's twilight.
before all splendor unfolded
the beauty is already over
and time flows over it.

flower turns to hay, to excrement
turns the pearl, and as ash
man pays tribute to the death.
inevitable is his life,
and his being only torment and toil,
and life ends in death.

the morning is followed by the evening
laughter is followed by sadness
life is followed by death.
our existence's first torments
already bear features of death
and the toil heralds death.

to put us to the trouble
and surrender to the pain
is death's demand.
forced under this law,
human recognize your situation
and consider what you are.

what you were newborn,
what you are, and what you will be
oh, heed it carefully.

weep over guilt and punishment,
keep still, rush nothing,
cast off all pride.

driver, helmsman of the spirit,
guide our mind and take care
that its way goes not astray.
~~~

# alternative

beginning of a translation based on the latin version.

~~~
all of creation
like a book and a picture,
is a mirror for us
of our life, of our state;
of our death, of our fate
a faithful symbol.
~~~

# links
* [a dutch, english and german translation](https://dick.wursten.be/omnismundi.htm) (the english translation seems quite liberal)
* [a song by qntal reciting the latin version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSDBaw0i8oM)