A hymn to spring and birth – who can resist this?  This late Latin poem, with no author attributed, celebrates love and the goddesses.  Who would have thought a poem such as this would appear in the Middle Ages?

This version of the Pervigilium Veneris, edited by Vincent J. Cleary and Theodore W. Wells, is available free to CANE members. The Introduction is very informative and gives a history of the poem.  While I had heard of this poem, I had never read it, and the directions to read it aloud are very clear.  The rhythm is easy and moves things along.  Repetition never hurts!  It is suggested for second year students, but I would push it up to third year, or even after the AP exam, when there is open time for fun.

The Teacher’s Guide gives good questions for students.  I especially like the idea of finding modern music (let’s add poems, rap, etc. – but with proper vocabulary!) to the mix to bring it up to the present time.  A quick, one or two week read, perfect for the spring semester.

By Ruth Breindel, who taught Latin, Greek, Linguistics and Mythology at Moses Brown School for 30 years.