Cave Canium

[Pendragon]

Cave Canem

When the Fates decide to snap the oh, so slender silver thread,
He will not as much as reveal himself to stop you on your path.
But for those who dare to venture in his realms before their blood is shed,
The three heads are awake and watching, mouths breathing flames and wrath.
The story is often told by troubadours around the fires in the night,
That once a soul has passed the Dark Gates, there is no byways out of Hell.
And they sing too of warriors; lovers; adventures; some who gave their life:
And a few that even managed to turn aside the power of that Dark Spell.
“Cerberus!” Three headed daemon dog with a snake’s head for a tail!
Even the singing troubadour shivers as he almost spits the name in song.
Watchdog of the Dammed! Eternal Guardian of the very Gates to Hell!
Few there are that have ever met him, few still that live to sing the songs.
The troubadour stopped playing and looked over at the lovely young woman:
“Yes, I am Orpheus, my child. Ask yourself now if he be really worth the pain?”

Pendragon
© 12/9/07

[AuntShecky]

You may be right and I'm probably wrong, as my Latin is rusty. But what's the right form?

Beware the dog, caninus, (nom.) caninum (accusative, direct object of "caveat.")

[Pendragon]

You may be right and I'm probably wrong, as my Latin is rusty. But what's the right form?

Beware the dog, caninus, (nom.) caninum (accusative, direct object of "caveat.")Well, Auntie, my Webster's gives the phrase as cave canem Latin, 'beware the dog'. I knew it was that but spelled it wrong. Interestingly enough, a translation site I use has it as caveo canius, so whoop de doo. I had this dictionary before the site.

Pen.