NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/rec/pets/cats/13990

Internet Message Format | 1992-11-20 | 3.7 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!crdgw1!newsun!bette
From: [e-mail] (Elizabeth Brennan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Musical setting of Pangur Ban
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 21 Nov 92 02:23:32 GMT
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In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

>> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Deirdre A. Johnson) writes:
>>> Hi, everyone!  I hope my header isn't confusing - The thread about
>>> black kitten names made me remember a poem by Yeats, which I thought
>>> you might enjoy if you don't already know it.  And I thought while
>>> I was at it, I'd post another Irish poem, written by a monk in the
>>> ninth century, in the margin of the manuscript he was "really" writing,
>>> as a tribute to his cat.

...poem by Yeats omitted

>>>
>>>                Pangur Bawn
>>>
>>>           Me and Pangur Bawn my cat
>>>           Each has his aspiration;
>>>           Pangur's mind is set on mice
>>>           And mine on education.
>>>
>>>           More than any fame I love
>>>           My books, pursuing learning;
>>>           Nor does my friend envy me-
>>>           Mice are Pangur's yearning.
>>>
>>>           In our cell and all alone,
>>>           Both of us have endless fun;
>>>           Nobody is ever bored,
>>>           Skillfully the work gets done.
>>>
>>>           Often, with a furious pounce,
>>>           In his net he snares a mouse;
>>>           I, too, net, with mind intent
>>>           Philosophic argument.
>>>
>>>           Eagerly he'll watch the wall,
>>>           His beady bright eye burning;
>>>           I fix mine, weak as it is,
>>>           On the light of learning.
>>>
>>>           Joyfully he'll dash about,
>>>           A mouse caught in his sure claws;
>>>           I am every bit as pleased,
>>>           Skewering obscure laws.
>>>
>>>           Happily we spend long hours,
>>>           Pangur Bawn, my cat and I;
>>>           Each of us loves what he does,
>>>           Peacefully time passes by.
>>>
>>>           The work Pangur does each day,
>>>           For a cat is fit and right;
>>>           So it goes with my work too,
>>>           Bringing darkness up to light.
>>>
>>>                                     -Anon., 9th century
>>>                        Translated from the Old Irish by Malachi McCormick
>>>
>>> This poem is in "Other Cats", a small (3" by 4.5") handmade boxed set of
>>> cat poems and stories from all over the world, put out by the Stone Street
>>> Press.  Their address is: The Stone Street Press, 1 Stone St., S.1.,
>>>                           N.Y. 10304  USA
>>>                           Telephone: [phone].
>>>
>>> -That's it for this post.  I hope you enjoyed the poems!
>>>                                 -Deirdre at Virginia ([e-mail])

>Anyone who enjoys the poem about Pangur Ban should look for a musical
>setting of the same, by Samuel Barber (of "Adagio for String" / 'Platoon'
>fame), entitled, "Songs from Hermitage". There's a delightful older
>recording with Barber accompanying Leontyne Price on the piano., issued on
>Columbia.

>Steve (on behalf of Jennet Jourdemayne and Cat Morgan)

Thank you Deirdre and Steve. As I'm starting to think about possible cat
names for future reference does someone know how Pangur Bawn (Ban?) should
be pronounced?

Bette