Elegaic Couplet

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  The Elegaic (or Heroic) Couplet is a combination of the dactylic hexameter and a pentameter (twice 2-1/2 feet).
 
 
Mors Petronii
Venam convivans aperire Petronius ovo,
Ad malum usque manens, ipse ligabat eam.
 
The Death of Petronius
Petronius, at supper,
Would open up a vein;
He'd wait until dessert,
Then close it tight again.
(Derived from the phrase ab ovo usque ad malum,
and Tacitus' Annals, Book 16 ch.17-20)
 
 
Inscriptio Inscription
Saepe sonum turbis solum multis faciebam;
Nunc multos soli saepe sonos teneo.
I often held one note for many;
Now I hold many notes for one.

This riddle accompanied a gift to a friend, of an antique wooden organ pipe,
converted with great care into a cabinet for holding CDs)
 
 
Supplicium For the Oracle, Loxias
Aversis oculis humilis flexis genibusque,
Responsum Oraclo fatidicum petiit.
On bended knee, and with averted eye,
He humbly sought the Oracle's reply.