“On meurt deux Source fois, je le vois bien : > Cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable, > C’est une mort insupportable : > Cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien.”
Tracing the Origins of a Haunting Memento Mori
Throughout human history, the figure of Death has served as a potent reminder of our finite existence. This concept, known as Memento Mori | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, encourages us to live meaningfully within our limited time on earth. Among many expressions capturing this sentiment, one phrase stands out for its poetic power and elusive origins: “Death plucks my ear and says: ‘Live, for I am coming.'”
The Ancient Latin Source
The phrase originates from a Latin poem that includes these lines:
“Quid cineri ingrato servas bene olentia serta?
Anne coronato vis lapidi ista legi?
Pone merum et talos. Pereant, qui crastina curant!
Mors aurem vellens—Vivite, ait, venio.”
An English translation appeared in 1827 in John Dunlop’s work on Roman literature. His version captured the essence as follows:
“Why reserve you the garland, all sweet with perfume,
To deck the cold marble that closes the tomb?—
Set the dice and the wine:—May he perish who cares
For the good or the ill which to-morrow prepares;
Death pulls by the ear, and cries, ‘Live while you may;
I approach, and perhaps shall be with you to-day.'”
These verses come from the poem “Copa, Source” meaning “The Dancing Girl.” Traditionally attributed to Virgil by Servius, a fifth-century commentator, its authorship is contested today .
The Remarkable Surge in Modern Popularity
While these Latin verses circulated among scholars for centuries, their modern recognition surged in 1931. On March 8, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, celebrated his 90th birthday with a radio address. Holmes reflected on life and work, quoting the ancient Latin sentiment without naming its author. This broadcast, reaching a national audience, popularized the phrase.
Holmes’s speech included variations, with different news outlets recording slight differences. Some reported “plucks,” others “clutches.” The “New York Herald Tribune” quoted him saying: “Death plucks my ear and says: ‘Live — I am coming.'” Such variations highlight how quotes transform through media channels.
The Challenge of Translation
The ambiguity extends to translation challenges. The Latin “Mors aurem vellens” can be translated variously, each option changing the nuance. “Vellens” might mean “plucking,” “pulling,” or “tugging,” altering urgency and force.
Different translations reflect this diversity. In 1827, John Dunlop used “pulls by the ear.” By 1899, Francis W. Kelsey’s translation rendered it as “plucks my ear.” Rev. Patrick Sheehan in 1906 chose “plucking,” while Joseph J. Mooney in 1916 opted for “demands.” Helen Waddell in 1929 interpreted it as “twitching,” showing historical translation shifts.
Investigative Efforts and Scholarly Attribution
Holmes’s 1931 speech spurred curiosity about the quote’s origins. On March 11, “The New York Times” investigated, concluding the source was Virgil’s “The Syrian Dancing Girl.” This aligned with traditional scholarly views since Servius’s commentary.
By 1949, Burton Stevenson’s “The Home Book of Quotations” credited Virgil, noting Holmes’s usage. The entry highlighted Helen Waddell’s translation and Holmes’s 1931 address.
The Persistent Attribution Error
Despite historical evidence, the quote is sometimes misattributed to Holmes’s father. This error appears in Laurence J. Peter’s “Peter’s Quotations” (1977), likely due to confusion between father and son, both influential figures. However, no evidence supports the elder Holmes’s authorship.
The Enduring Mystery
While tradition credits these words to Virgil, modern scholars recognize “Copa’s” authorship as uncertain. It belongs to “Appendix Vergiliana,” a disputed collection of works linked to Virgil. Experts acknowledge that the true author might never be known.
What remains clear is that Holmes rejuvenated this ancient wisdom for modern America with his 1931 broadcast. At ninety, he embodied the message, living fully as he conveyed it. His emotional delivery added poignancy to the sentiment.
Ultimately, the quotation’s journey from ancient Rome to modern America shows how profound ideas transcend their origins. Whether by Virgil or another poet, the message resonates through time: Death’s approach inspires us to live purposefully. This timeless wisdom, maintained through careful translation and Holmes’s revival, continues to challenge and inspire.