Mortem non gustabunt

 

The ardent love which Laeda’s offspring showed,
The twins she bore through Jupiter’s deceit,
Fails when compared with love with which Christ glowed:
He’s God and Man, whose purity’s complete.
If the beloved Pollux shared with Castor,
His brother, life, the gain was qualified,
If one lived for the other death was master:
If one arose, one perished with the tide.

But life which is beyond death’s might and main
Christ gains, and also gives to the elect.
The living praise: His death won’t be in vain:
Don’t be lost, through His victory’s effect.

For deep in hell there is a place secreted
For everything by which you were defeated.

Another Elizabeth Weston; comment on translation would be appreciated!

Mortem non gustabunt

Non fratres inter tantus fuit ardor amantes,

Quos decepta tulit Laeda furore Jovis:         which deceived took Laeda with fury Jove

Quanto hominum mitis flagrabat amore Redemptor,

Qui Deus, & puro corpore purus homo est.

Mutate enim Pollux charo cum Castore vitam

Fratre suam; certa conditione tamen.

Alter ut alterius moriatur orogine vitae:

Dumque hic surgite quis, ille feratur aquis.

At vitam, alterius Christus sine morte perennem

Obtinet, Electis & dat habere suis.

Vivus ovat; non te mors illius ergo fefellit:

Ne pereas, sed eas per supera, ille perit.                 

Omnia qui te eum victurus secula, solus                 

Expertem stygiae te facit esse plagae.