What do you think this text from an old stone is saying?

Question

This is text from a very old stone (possibly tombstone/garden stone) that I saw in St Augustine, FL. I could translate some of it, but some did not make sense. This is exact spelling on the stone. One word, profudo, seems to have been misspelled.

"Este mundo es un vago profudo quien no sabe nadar vase al fondo."

To me, the word "profudo" seems to be key to the translation; however, I know very little Spanish.

If the word is meant to be: -Profuso -- extreme, profuse -Profugo -- a fugitive / vagabond -Profundo -- deep / intense OR the deep / hell

And I read that "fondos" can mean underworld, and "vago" can mean uncultivated piece of ground.

What do you think the text is saying? Thank you.

Answer 1

Here's my guess:

Este mundo es un lago profundo. Quien no sabe nadar se va al fondo.

The world is a deep lake. He who does not know how to swim sinks to the bottom.

you are right, lago fits better! - veroz, Jan 1, 2011

I would agree 100% :) - FELIZ77, Jan 1, 2011

Answer 2

Could it be "profundo" meaning profound?

Answer 3

Profundo means deep. And maybe the word "vago" is a mistake too, if you switch it with "vagón" (wagon) has more sense. "Vago" is a boy that doesn´t like to work or anything. There is a song that describes "vago" perfectly, the punk band "Carajo" sings it. The lyrics are here: http://www.musica.com/letras.asp?letra=814801 // So for me, the text means: "this world is a deep wagon, who doesn´t know to swim, goes to the bottom"

I would almost agree with You except that I would say it is much more likley to be lago than vago =lake as KevinB said - FELIZ77, Jan 1, 2011