| Keywords |
|
| ID |
394 |
| Text |
Bonifacii Ars Grammatica (701 - 720) Boniface |
| Quotation |
Quando autem auctores grammaticae artis quasdam regulas dissonas depromisse cernebam, quod frequenter eos fecisse non dubitatur, superfluum esse et inrisione dignum arbitrabar, Donato et Prisciano, Romano et Velio Longo dissentientibus, Romanae urbanitatis facundia dissertissimis rethoribus, me paene de extremis Germaniae gentibus ignobili stirpe procreatum, veluti agrestem pastorem de spineto vel arundineto erumpentem, inter talium dissona decreta virorum ex persona iudicis disputanda iudicare. |
| Translation |
But when I saw authors produce things that went against some rules of grammar, which it cannot be doubted that they frequently did, I thought it pointless and worthy of derision if, when I saw Donatus, Priscian, Romanus and Velius Longus disagreeing with one another, all rhetoricians extremely well versed in all the eloquence of Roman urbanity, I should presume to pass a sentence on the differing opinions of such men, when I can scarcely even claim descent from an ignoble line from the furthest corners of Germania, like some rustic shepherd bursting forth from a fen or a thorn-hedge and presuming to act like a judge. (Trans. Laura Gazzoli) |
| Summary |
Boniface doesn't dare to decide which of the divergent opinions of the ancient grammarians is the right one. They all were very cultivated Roman rhetors, whereas he was born among the remotest peoples of "Germania". |
| Quotation source |
Praef. 45-53 |
| Temporal Coverage |
701 - 720 |
| Associated use case(s) |
|
| Comment |
South England is presented as a part of "Germania". |
