[NPM] today's poem

[angevin2]

This one is probably best known for John Dowland's lovely musical setting of it, which is included at the bottom of the post. The Dowland setting doesn't include the second verse, I guess because nobody wants to sing about weasels and apes.

The lowest trees have tops
Attrib. Sir Edward DyerThe lowest trees have tops, the ant her gall

Comments

[capriuni]

That's lovely. Even the second verse (I like weasels and apes!)

[angevin2]

The thing about the panther's breath (and by "panther" they actually probably mean something more like a leopard) was an odd bit of medieval bestiary lore that I guess had stuck around until the Elizabethan age -- I know I've seen it referred to elsewhere, but I forget where (a quick trip to the concordance reveals it's not Shakespeare).

There's also an Old English poem that has the panther as a metaphor for God, but I don't remember if that's mentioned. Looking at that bestiary entry, though, I'd be surprised if it weren't since the smell seems to be a major part of the lore.

[angevin2]

Bestiary lore isn't very ape/monkey-friendly, I guess because they hadn't figured out evolution yet. ;)

(p.s. there was actually a panel about this at SAA, which I missed this year because too much work. And even if I'd been able to go, it was on opposite a panel about masculinity in the histories. Life is unfair.)

[eglantine_br]

Kitty Breath! This poem was lovley. I had never seen it before. I liked the p
I liked the part about turtles. (Biblical reference there? Song of the turtle?) It is true anyhow that they cannot sing. But of course they must feel love. I am sure of it.

[angevin2]

Usually when poetry of this period talks about turtles they mean turtledoves, but I've always liked picturing regular turtles. ;)

[eglantine_br]

I cannot sing at ALL! My mind knows how the music ought to go, but my voice just flails all over. I always felt that I must have the song of the turtle, (not turtledove.)