What is a Medieval Cat?

[sister_raphael]

While we are all thinking about cats, please don't get medieval and cut their whiskers off! They need those for navigation! And clipping their ears just to make them stay home... just no!

Albertus had a great many good ideas but these weren't them. He does note how kittens do like to play with mirrors and toys and are sweet pets, so that's nice. And as for seeking out the warmest places to sleep, oh yes! nailed it!

Comments

[cmcmck]

A translation from the Gaelic for you about a monk's pet cat:



Pangur Bán and I at work,
Adepts, equals, cat and clerk:
His whole instinct is to hunt,
Mine to free the meaning pent.

More than loud acclaim, I love
Books, silence, thought, my alcove.
Happy for me, Pangur Bán
Child-plays round some mouse’s den.

Truth to tell, just being here,
Housed alone, housed together,
Adds up to its own reward:
Concentration, stealthy art.

Next thing an unwary mouse
Bares his flank: Pangur pounces.
Next thing lines that held and held
Meaning back begin to yield.

All the while, his round bright eye
Fixes on the wall, while I
Focus my less piercing gaze
On the challenge of the page.

With his unsheathed, perfect nails
Pangur springs, exults and kills.
When the longed-for, difficult
Answers come, I too exult.

So it goes. To each his own.
No vying. No vexation.
Taking pleasure, taking pains,
Kindred spirits, veterans.

Day and night, soft purr, soft pad,
Pangur Bán has learned his trade.
Day and night, my own hard work
Solves the cruxes, makes a mark.
Notes:
Read the translator's notes on this poem.

[sister_raphael]

It really is a wonderful poem! Thank you for sharing it here!