The Ecphorizer
| The Big Rura Ru |
| Christian Morgenstern |
Issue #59 (October 1986)
Foyep lemtle == kluslikre;
Gisvi, busvi, yaruroni; Pufti gufti ge.
Rura rura rura rura ru?
Jemt lulala nilenomto
Vufpa vof la la!
Omto komto, roieromto
Propyu kasvi ra!
Rura rura rura rura ru?
Finulul pefnur vikonka
Firvavum paploi [:]
Nulyenul def; pyonka ronka
Fili fali foi () ?
Rura rura rura rura ru?*
* Translator's Note: Careful readers will have noted little resemblance between the above translation and the English language, into which it was supposed to have been translated. For purposes of comparison, the original German text is reproduced below.
[2009 Editor's note: We are not even going to try to look for typographical errors in this, either the above translation, or the original below. Careful readers can make of this what they like with no bonus points for accuracy!]
Kroklokwafzi? Semememi!
Seiokrontro == prafriplo:
Bifzi, bafzi; hulalemi:
quasti basti bo. . .
Lalu lalu lalu lalu la!
Hontraruru miromente
zasku zes ru ru?
Entepente, leiolente klekwapufzi lu?
Lalu lalu lalu lalu la!
Simarar kos malzipempu
silzuzankunkrei (;)
Marjomar dos: Quempu Lempu
Siri Suri Sei [] !
Lalu lalu lalu lalu la!
GARETH PENN, a polymathic medievalist, cipherer, detective, and builder of domes, has now turned his hands to translating German poetry, with the results printed in this and the last issue.
More Articles by Christian Morgenstern
Contributor Profile
Gareth Penn
Gareth Penn is probably best known as the greatest amateur Zodiac sleuth after his many articles in The Ecphorizer that lead to the identity of Zodiac. However, Penn is much more than that as he has a keen inquisitive mind that finds an interesting story in just about anything from a memorial to a little-known soldier in a park in Vallejo, CA, to his notes about animals, to plumbing the depths of the limerick. Penn's prolific pen is evident in that he has made a contribution to every issue of The Ecphorizer up through Issue #33 (and counting!).