Parva Syreni / The Little Mermaid

Cum invesperasceret, lampades coloratae accensae sunt

When it grew dark, a number of colored lamps were lighted

nautae et domus regiae in navi laetantes saltaverunt

the sailors and royal family danced merrily on the deck

Parva syreni natalem eius non adiuvare cogitas

The little mermaid could not help thinking of her birthday

quo die primum e mari surrexit

the day that she rose out of the sea for the first time

similiaque laetitiae eo die celebrabantur

similar joyful festivities were celebrated on that day

de admiratione et spe sensit illa

she thought about the wonder and hope she felt that day

cum jucundis memoriis, illa etiam in choreis iuncta

with those pleasant memories, she too joined in the dance

in pedum dolore se libravit in aere

on her paining feet, she poised herself in the air

via se insequitur hirundo cum praeda

the way a swallow poises itself when in pursued of prey

nautae et servi admirando consolati sunt

the sailors and the servants cheered her wonderingly

Numquam saltaverat tam lepide ante

She had never danced so gracefully before

Tenellae pedes sensi quasi cultris acutis secari

Her tender feet felt as if cut with sharp knives

sed pedum suorum parum curabat

but she cared little for the pain of her feet

multo acrius dolor erat cor eius penetrabilior

there was a much sharper pain piercing her heart