Animula, vagula, blandula
Hospes comesque corporis
Quae nunc abibis in loca
Pallidula, rigida, nudula,
Nec, ut soles, dabis iocos.

P. Aelius Hadrianus Imp.

Gentle little soul, fluttering, flickering,
Guest and companion of my body,
Drifting, descending for parts
Dark, forbidding, and barren,
Linger still to play once more on these sunlit shores.

Translated by Neel Burton