Phoenicians first (if story be believed)
Dared to record in characters; for yet
Papyrus was not fashioned, and the priests
Of Memphis, carving symbols upon walls
Of mystic sense (in shape of beast or fowl)
Preserved the secrets of their magic art.
Phoenices primi, famae si creditur, ausi
mansuram rudibus vocem signasse figuris.
nondum flumineas Memphis contexere biblos
noverat: et saxis tantum volucresque feraeque
sculptaque servabant magicas animalia linguas.
mansuram rudibus vocem signasse figuris.
nondum flumineas Memphis contexere biblos
noverat: et saxis tantum volucresque feraeque
sculptaque servabant magicas animalia linguas.
Original text (Latin)