The scholar and his cat, Pangur Bán

Meta 2022-03-01 08:01:52

The scholar and his cat, Pangur Bán

(from the Irish by Robin Flower)

I and Pangur Ban my cat,
'Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.

Better far than praise of men
'Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill-will,
He too plies his simple skill.

'Tis a merry task to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.

Oftentimes a mouse will stray
In the hero Pangur's way;
Oftentimes my keen thought set
Takes a meaning in its net.

'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.

When a mouse darts from its den,
O how glad is Pangur then!
O what gladness do I prove
When I solve the doubts I love!

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.

Practice every day has made
Pangur perfect in his trade;
I get wisdom day and night
Turning darkness into light.

View more about The Secret of Kells reviews

Extended Reading
  • Jeffrey 2022-03-25 09:01:22

    It's really weird to draw. . . The music is awesome. . .

  • Wellington 2022-03-19 09:01:10

    This is really the most beautiful cartoon I've ever seen, a fantasy story about a real big book, book of kells is a beautiful picture book Gospel written in Scotland in the ninth century, preserved in the sacks of the Vikings again and again, Existing National Expo of Ireland. Combining medieval art children's picture books and Klimt's painting style with the sound of Irish music, at the end of the film, I looked at the bookshelves around the house with tears in my eyes, and how happy it is to read books.

The Secret of Kells quotes

  • [first lines]

    Aisling: I have lived through many ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer, and wolf. I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland, destroying all in search of gold. I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light.

  • Brendan: Aidan is my friend. I'm helping him make the most incredible book in the whole world! He says it will turn darkness into light. Wait until you see it!

    Aisling: Wait until you see the rest of my forest.