Ovid - Dipsas the sorceress

Question 1

est quaedam (quicumque volet cognoscere lenam, audiat)

Answer 1

There is a certain woman (and whoever wants to learn about a procuress should listen)

Question 2

est quaedam nomine Dipsas anus

Answer 2

there is a certain old woman with the name Dipsas.

Question 3

ex re nomine habet

Answer 3

She has her name from her nature:

Question 4

nigri non illa parentem Memnonis in roseis sobria vidit equis

Answer 4

she has never seen black Memnon’s mother on her rosy horses [whilst] sober.

Question 5

illa magas artes Aeaeaque carmina novit,

Answer 5

She learned the magic arts and spells of Aeaea,

Question 6

inque caput liquidas arte recurvat aquas;

Answer 6

by her art she turns back flowing waters to their source;

Question 7

scit bene quid gramen, quid torto concita rhombo licia, quid valeat virus amantis equae.

Answer 7

She knows well what power each herb possesses, or moving threads on a whirling wheel, or the fluid from a mare in heat.

Question 8

cum voluit, toto glomerantur nubila caelo;

Answer 8

When she wants, clouds gather across the whole sky;

Question 9

cum voluit, puro fulget in orbe dies

Answer 9

when she wants, the sun shines in a clear sky.

Question 10

sanguine, si qua fides, stillantia sidera vidit

Answer 10

I have seen (if you can believe it) the stars dripping with blood;

Question 11

purpureus Lunae sanguine vultus erat.

Answer 11

even the face of the moon was red with blood.

Question 12

hanc ego nocturnas versam volitare per umbras suspicor

Answer 12

I think that, transformed, she flies through the shades of night

Question 13

et pluma corpus anime tegi.

Answer 13

and her old woman’s body is covered with feathers.

Question 14

suspicor, at fama est

Answer 14

I think this, and it’s the rumour.

Question 15

oculis quoque pupula duplex fulminat

Answer 15

Also in her eyes double pupils flash lightning

Question 16

et gemino lumen ab orbe venit.

Answer 16

and light comes from both eyes.

Question 17

evocat antiquis proavos atavosque sepulcris

Answer 17

She can summon great- and great-great-great grandfathers from ancient tombs

Question 18

et solidam longo carmine findit humum

Answer 18

and split open solid ground with a long spell.