I dwell within the lands of fair Atlantia, between the mountains and the sea. And as it happened one day, someone noticed that "Atlantia" was but one letter away from "Catlantia," and a virtual fellowship devoted to pet memes and sharing pictures of actual pets was born. As the Bardic War looms, it seems to me that it would be good to represent Catlantia - as an Atlantian ally, naturally.
"Pangur Ban" is a natural period piece to perform. I have Henry Beard's "Poetry for Cats," and I already perform his "Grendel's Dog, from Beocat" often. Geoffery Chaucer puts a parable about cats in the mouth of the Manciple. And there's something about a possible Cattes Tale? (Is this an academic joke? Signs point to yes). And naturally, that granddaddy collector of animal tales, Aesop, has a few with cats. And a few more.
And here is a lengthy ballad about a Mayor of London and how he gained his fortune by a cat, just post-period in 1612. Alas that the cat does not play a larger, more Puss in Bootsy role - he just sells the cat to a king for gold. And lo, a tune is given! I need to check out the page a bit to see from whence the tune comes - at a guess, 18th cen at earliest - but it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
Edits: But wait, there's more...
- The Wife of Bath compared to a cat
- Pseudo-Chaucerian cat poetry from Medieval Pets
- I wondered if cats featured in Reynard tales! Evidently yes, but the story is not one a cat-lover would enjoy.
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