Once More...With Feeling
In honor of the holiday I'm reposting a poem that has been attributed to an unknown 9th century Irish monk. Seemed to be the appropriate time.
No, I did not write it. I only wish I had.
I'll admit that I lead a life of relative solitude with a cat in residence; but the similarities, I'm sure, end there.
I and Pangur Ban my cat,
‘Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.
‘Tis a merry thing to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.
‘Gainst the wall he sets his eye,
Full and fierce and sharp and sly;
‘Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.
So in peace our task we ply,
Pangur Ban my cat and I;
In our arts we find our bliss,
I have mine and he has his.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
I'm glad you re-posted this. It's like a visit from an old friend!
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I enjoy reading it, occasionally, just for the pleasure of it. I'm glad you enjoyed it, too.
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Good poems are always welcome a second time. Happy holiday Mr. O'Rourke!
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And happy holiday to you, Mr. FF&F!
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Lucky cat, and lucky monk. Sounds like they enjoyed a nice life together way back when.
Love the poem!
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I was just lucky in finding it a few years ago. I've seen some other versions that I don't care for as well.
And, yes, they seem to have been very lucky.
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I must have missed this the first time around. I really like it - particularly the bit about the wall of knowledge.
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Glad you caught it this time. I like that part, too.
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This is a translation, right? Or did Irish 9th century monks have sort of time travel capability like I think there was in the Disney Version of the Sword and the Stone allowing them to travel in time and learn modern English?
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Hi Ethan. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I'm sure it's a translation. That's why there are so many different versions. Although this particular monk may have known Walt, personally.
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