μεταμορφώσεις

Jeff Bernstein · July 5, 2024

15

The Cat realised the trap and sprang forward,

but the trap tightened, and yanked him back hard

by the neck. Tibert gasped and writhed around

and was almost strangled. He called and cried

and made an irksome noise. And Reynard stood

before the hole and heard it all, well pleased,

and asked, “How’s the mice? Are they fat and good?

You want the Priest to bring you sauce? What kind

would you like? Tibert! all you do is eat and blab—

16

and is that all the nobles do at Court?

Good God” (Reynard continued) “if only Wolf

were here with you now, just as you are—caught;

that would be sweet, for he’s often ticked me off.”

Tibert, meanwhile, was stuck, and he mawed

and galped so crazily that the Priest awoke

(Martinet by name) and cried out, “God be thanked!

The thief that took our hens—My trap has caught him!

Mother! Everyone! Get up! We will reward him!”

17

Tibert heard the bustle and was terrified,

and his nine lives flashèd before his eyes.

In the dark of the hole he squirmed and writhed,

but he was stuck, and knew it; and the sounds

he made were wondrously loud in his ears.

In the confinèd space the Cat felt fear

inexpressible, and though his two eyes

could see in the dark, there was nothing there

to see but dirt, accommodating him like a grave.

Jeff Bernstein · July 5, 2024

Jeff Bernstein · July 5, 2024

Jeff Bernstein · July 5, 2024

Jeff Bernstein · July 5, 2024

One hundred and fifty years of papermaking by hand at Hayle Mill, Maidstone, England

J Barcham Green

Maidstone : 1960.

Jeff Bernstein · July 6, 2024

How the King sent the Cat for the Fox, concluded.

18

’Twas an evil hour when Martinet awoke

the house with his bawling, “We caught the Fox!”

and all his rooms erupted in bustle,

and the Priest ran mother-naked from the house,

and was first to come to Tibert, and smote

the cat with his heavy staff of the cross.

He was so angry he took an eye out.

He raised his staff for one last massive bash,

and Tibert saw, and also saw his one last chance.

19

Tibert saw that he must die, so he sprang

between the Priest’s legs with claws protracted

and fangs bared, and ripped out his left bollock.

That leap became a great ill to the Priest,

as the stone fell to the floor and rolled away.

When his wife knew, she swore by her father’s soul

that she would have prayed double a whole year,

that her husband hadn’t had that harm and shame;

and wished it hadn’t happened, and that he still had his ball.

20

And she said, “In the Devil’s name was that trap set!

’Tis a great hurt; for, though he be healéd,

he shall nevermore do that sweet play and game!”

The Fox stood by the hole and heard all this word,

and laughed so sore that he could hardly stand.

He spoke thus softly : “Don’t worry, Dame, be happy.

The priest hath lost a ball, that’s not disputed,

but ’twill not hinder him; he’ll do you well

enough; there’s many a chapel which rings one bell!”

21

Thus did the Fox scorn and mock the woman

who was full of sorrow; and the Priest fell aswoon;

and they took him up and brought him to bed.

Then went the Fox his way to his borough ward,

and left the cat in great jeopardy and dread,

and confidently thought Tibert good as dead.

But when Tibert saw them busy with the Priest

he ’gan to bite and gnaw at the trap in the middle,

till he split it in two and leapt out of the hole—

22

—and went rolling and wentling toward the Court.

It was a fair day at the hour he came;

the last morning star had just begun to set

when he appeared at Court looking miserable.

Dirt covered his fur around like a robe,

and beneath, his body was all black and blue;

and now he saw everything through one eye.

He explained he’d caught harm at the Priest’s house

with the helpful assistance of Reynard the Fox.

23

When the Lion King learned of this tale,

and saw how Tibert was sorely arrayed,

he was angry, and he sought a contrivance

to menace Reynard the Fox with justice.

So again the fellowship of beasts came

and gathered in council, so that they might

advise the King on various points of crime

regarding the Fox, such as how he might

be brought to law, and how on earth he might be caught.

next : How Grymbert the Badger brought the Foxe to the lawe to fore the kynge

Jeff Bernstein · July 7, 2024

How Grymbert the Badger brought the Foxe to the lawe to fore the kynge

1

Of the government of the noble Lion

the Badger now spoke, who was the Fox’s

nephew. “Good Lords” (he said) “though my uncle

were twice as bad and triply devious,

there is (thank God) a remedy for this.

We treat him as yet pure in innocence,

and ask him one last time to come to us

and speak out; but if he scorns our summons,

we judge Reynard the Fox guilty of all charges.”

2

“Grimbert” (replied the Lion) “who is to go

and compel him to follow? Who of us here

has such an audacity and courage?

Who would dare his ears, or eye, or his life,

to face such a terrible beast in adventure?

I trust there is none here so much a fool.”

And the Badger answered him. “God help me”

(he said) “I’ll be the fool. I’ll bring the message

to Reynard the Fox, if you, good King, command me.”

3

“Grimbert” (said the noble Lion) “go on, friend;

but look well before ye. Reynard’s a villain

so treacherous and so false that ye need

to look well before ye; beware of him.”

Grimbert said he would look well before him.

So the Badger went toward Castle Malperdy,

waddling though the ways that twist and damn

all ramblers in the woods round Malperdy;

and was lost when he saw the Castle, old and shady.

4

Deep within the trees, the low-drooping leaves

obscured the way; but he saw, here and there,

the age-old masonry of the Castle

dominating the forest. Tree branches

mutated obscurely before his eyes

in the wind, and the pathway kept changing,

and it took forever to reach the Castle.

Inside, the Fox was at home relaxing,

and in a corner his wife suckled her younglings.

5

So Grimbert came, and hailed his Uncle

and Aunt, and he said to Reynard the Fox :

“There is much complaint about you, Uncle.

Beware of the harm brought by your absence

while all these complaints of your doings

go unanswered by you. Indeed I speak right.

So if ye think it good for you and yours,

it’s high time that ye come with me to Court.

It can do you no more good to stay away from it.”

6

“This is the third warning” (the Badger warned)

“I say there is too much complaint about you,

and that’s the truth. If you stay unconcerned,

you may find no mercy there to help you.

Within three days they will besiege your house

and you’ll be brought to the gallows and rack.

Believe that you shall not escape from this,

nor wife not child, but they’ll come and attack.

The King shall take all of your lives if you don’t act.”

7

“Therefore ’tis best you come with me to Court.

Your wise counsel shall (probably) save you.

Before this you’ve seen greater adventures

and survived; so why worry about this now?

It may happen that you prove untrue

all the complaints against you, and all the fuss;

then your enemies shall go away in shame.

And what’s sweeter than laughing at your enemies?

You’ve many times done more and greater things than this.”

Jeff Bernstein · July 8, 2024

8

“I agree” (said the Fox) “for sure it’s best

I go with you, for they lack my counsel there.

Maybe the King will show mercy at heart

if I speak with him shrewdly under his eye.

I’ve done harm, but the Court can’t stand without me;

that I must make the King well understand.

True, there are cruel ones at Court who hate me,

but they don’t touch my heart. Just let me stand

before the council and they shall find me deserved.”

9

“Where great Courts are gathered” (he continued)

“subtle counsel is required, and Reynard

must find the subtle means. Others may stand

and say their advice, but only Reynard

speaks best; his word surpasses all else said.

Many at Court have sworn to do the worst

they can to me, and I feel heavy at heart

at that, for while one alone is insignificant,

many banded together can bring me great hurt.”

10

“Nevertheless, nephew” (Fox said) “’tis better

I go with you now to Court and answer

for myself, rather than put in danger

my wife and children. Arise, good Badger!

I must do as he wills, nothing other;

let us go now. The Lion stands over me;

I must take it patiently, even if I suffer.”

Then said the Fox to Ermelyn his wife,

“Care for our little ones, and protect their welfare.”

11

“See well to our children” (still Reynard spoke)

“especially to Reynkin, my youngest son.

I see much of me in him, and I hope

he follows my steps. And Rossel my son,

a fine thief! No one can love his children

as much as I. If God grants me escape,

I shall come back to you, the only one

for me, dear wife.” Thus Reynard left his wife,

who sorrowed that he left them no food in the house.

Jeff Bernstein · July 8, 2024

The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of Cupid and Psyches

Translated from the Latin of Apuleius by William Adlington

New Rochelle, New York : printed by Clarke Conwell at the Elston Press, 1903.

Jeff Bernstein · July 8, 2024

wondrous watermark on psychedelic endpaper

Jeff Bernstein · July 9, 2024

Bluebeard’s Castle (1972)

Ron King

Guildford : Circle Press Publications, 1972.

Jeff Bernstein · July 9, 2024

Canto 12

How Reynard shroef hym.

/ The Badger hears the Fox’s Confession.

12

When Reynard and Grimbert had gone a ways

together, moving ever innerward

into heavier darker thickets of trees,

secret areas of ancient woodland

at silent night, whose deep-black branches spread

a gloominess evoking the Underworld,

“Do you feel scared?” (Reynard asked) “I feel scared.

Everything’s in jeopardy; I go in dread

of my life and soul; it makes a Fox remember God.”

13

“Yea” (said Fox) “I repent my sins so gravely

that I must confess to someone. Dear cousin,

you must be my priest—there’s none other to get;

If I were shriven of all of my sin

my soul would be the clearer.” And his cousin

Grimbert answered, “Uncle! You’re confessing

to me? Well” (he said) “you must first promise

to give up all your stealing and roving.”

So the Fox promised to give up stealing and roving.

14

“Listen now to what I shall say, dear Cousin.

Confiteor tibi, Pater”—Reynard solemn—

“of the unspeakable deeds I have done;

I will gladly receive penance for them.”

“What’s that?” (asked the Badger) “Speak in English!”

Thus spoke Reynard (solemnly) : “I have trespassed

against all the beasts that live, especially

against Bruno, who went away from me

terribly bloody; and I taught the Cat to catch mice.”

Jeff Bernstein · July 10, 2024

15

“And what else? (I struggle for example;

let me think.) I’ve spoken of Tibert the cat,

haven’t I? I put him in a mousetrap,

where he caught a beating half to death (almost).

It’s possible I may have inconvenienced

the rooster by eating some of his children.

(Now I’m talking off the top of my head.)

Oh yes; I have slandered the King and Queen

so many times they’ll never be clear of my wit.”

16

“I seem to remember something” (Fox said)

“done to the Wolf. Oh yes; I have tricked him

too many times to tell. We’re not related

but I call him Uncle, to deceive him.

Let’s see” (Fox ruminated) “I made him

a monk at Eelmare (where I also became one),

but that did not remotely profit him.

I urged him to tie his feet to the bell rope,

and he thought he sounded so good, he’d learn to ringe.”

17

“But that didn’t work out, as I remember;

he rang so awfully that the folk in the street

were terrified at the sound, and came before

he could axe their religion, and beat him

half to death (almost). After that, I taught him

to catch fish, and then it was I who beat him

(I’m a stern schoolmaster). Then I led him

— I remember now; this is a good one—

to the richest priest’s house in all of Vermedos.”

18

“The priest had a goodly store of bacon

in a pantry” (Fox said) “and many times

there I filled my belly full. In this pantry

I had dug a hole, and I advised the wolf

to creep through it. So he found tubs of beef

and much bacon, and ate so much of it all

that the hole was too small now to get out of,

so great had the meat filled his belly, so full;

but when he had entered in, his belly was small.”

19

“I went down to the village and made there

a great noise and shout; hear now what I did.

I ran to the priest where he sat at table,

eating as fat a goose as one might find.

I took that goose, then ran out of there hard;

and the Priest cried out, ‘Catch him! Get the Fox!

I say no man ever saw such trouble!

The Fox cometh into my house and taketh

my goose from my table; whoever knew such a thief?’”

20

“Then he took his table knife and hurled it at me,

but he missed; so I ran away with the goose

in my mouth and he shoved the table aside

and followed me, crying, “Get him! Kill the Fox!”

I kept running and they came after me,

and many more came after them, and all

of them had one idea in mind—to hurt me.

So I ran all the way back to the Wolf

trapped in the pantry, and dropped the goose at his feet.”

21

“I left him where he was, sprang through the hole,

and was out of there, and went where I pleased.

Meanwhile the Priest discovered the goose

and held it up to the people, and he cried,

‘Smite down here, friends!’ Here is the thief, the Wolf!

Watch him well so he does not escape us!”

They ran all together with sticks and stones,

and made a great noise that all the neighbours

came out, and they gave to him a cruel beating.”

22

“And they threw stones at him in such a way

he fell to the ground as if he were dead.

Then they dragged him over rocks a long way,

and over tree stumps, and they took him far

from the village, and threw him in a ditch,

and there he lay all night. What happened next

to him I had no idea, which bothered me

because while he was filling his belly

he swore he’d be a help to me for a whole year.”

23

“Anyway” (said Reynard) “Now I recall

something else, the time I led him to a place

where I said were eight fat hens in a perch.

There was a trapdoor, and I said, ‘Go inside

(if you believe me) and you’ll find eight fat hens.’

So the Wolf went laughing up to the door

and went a little in, and tasted somewhat

of this and that, and then he said to me,

‘Reynard, ye be jacking; I don’t see any hens.’

24

‘If you will find’ (I said) ‘go further inside.

Those who win must labour and adventure.

Then I shoved his behind so far inside

that he fell on the floor with piercing noise

and the eight fat hens sprang up from rest.

One of them saw the open door, and felt

something wrong, but no one knew what it was.

So they arose, and they lit a candle,

and they saw him; then beat him half to death (almost).”

25

“You might say I put the Wolf in harm’s way”

(Fox said) “but I can’t think of any other

jeopardy or outrage just now. Oh yes,

I did bedrive his wife, Dame Ersewynde.

I wish I hadn’t done that; I’m sorry for it.

’Tis to her great shame; for that I repent.”

“Wait” (said Grimbert the Badger) “what did you say?”

“I have trespassed” (said Reynard) “with his wife.”

“Good God” (said Grimbert) “how do you speak such language?”

26

“Now that you mention it” (said Reynard the Fox)

“since we’re confessing, I’ve slept with your aunt.

Now I’ve told you all (I think). Set me penance

and forgive me my sins, for I wish to repent.”

Hearing this, Grimbert the Badger was subtle

and wise. He chewed off a branch from a tree

and said, “Take this branch and whack your body,

then lay it holily upon the earth;

then you must spring three times over it in rebirth”

27

“And” (Badger continued) “while you’re springing,

keep your legs straight, and you’re not to stomble;

then ye shall take the branch and begin kissing

it all over in token of your meekness

and obedience. Herewith ye be quit

of all sins that ye have done to this day,

for I forgive you all.” The Fox was glad.

“Friend” (Badger said) “Now you must live rightly.

Read your psalms, go to church, keep every holy day.”

28

“Give alms” (Badger continued) “and do good works;

and leave your ill and sinful life, your theft,

and treason, so that you may know mercy.”

Reynard the Fox promised to become blessed.

So then they both together went toward Court.

Along the way stood a cloister of black nuns,

where many geese and hens sauntered beyond

the walls; and as the two went their way,

the Fox finessed their path to veer toward the poultry.

29

“What!” (Grimbert said) “Cursed creature! Will ye

throw your soul away for a taste of poultry?

Reynard answered, “Truly, friend, I’d forgotten.

Pray God forgive me; I’ll never do so more.”

So they went on, and passed over a bridge,

and the Fox looked over his shoulder

after the poultry; and though he be hanged,

he could not tear his eyes away as far

as he could see them. So Grimbert had to answer :

30

“Foul false deceiver! Even now your eyes

follow after the poultry!” And so Fox :

“Cousin, you misdo me to say such things,

and you disturb my devotion and prayers.

Let me say a paternoster for all the souls

of all the poultry and of all the geese

that I have eaten; and often, using tricks,

I have stolen them from the holy nuns.”

But Grimbert the Badger was far from satisfied,

31

because the Fox held his eyes on the poultry

till at last they were lost from sight; and the Fox

kept silent for a spell after that. Meanwhile,

the pair movèd ever closer to Court.

And how sorely quaked the Fox to think

of what awaited him there! For he knew

most everyone there was an enemy,

and he would have to find answers for them

to many a fowle feat and theft that he had done.

Jeff Bernstein · July 10, 2024

We(n)(n) wir am Sommerabe(n)d 15

Auf de(n) Treppe(n)stei(n)e(n) der Haustür

Zum stille(n) Erzähle(n) (n)iederkauerte(n)

Mit klei(n)e(n) horche(n)de(n) Herze(n)

U(n)d (n)eugierkluge(n) Auge(n),

Währe(n)d die große(n) Mädche(n) 20

(N)ebe(n) dufte(n)de(n) Blume(n)töpfe(n)

Gege(n)über am Fe(n)ster saße(n),

Rose(n)gesichter,

Lächel(n)d u(n)d mo(n)dbeglä(n)zt.

Die Nordsee von Heinrich Heine

Leipzig : Insel-Verlag, 1909.

Bound in full vellum (leaves in Japanese vellum).

Jeff Bernstein · July 11, 2024

14.5 inches by 10.25 inches

Edited July 11, 2024 by Jeff Bernstein

Jeff Bernstein · July 11, 2024

abracadabra

The Perishable Press Limited, 1976.

13 inches by 7.5 inches.

With blind embossing.

Jeff Bernstein · July 12, 2024

Jeff Bernstein · July 12, 2024

Canto 13

How the Fox came to the Court, and how he excused him tofore the King.

1

SO, Fox and Badger, long ago, came to Court,

where a royal crew about them waited round

of sage and noble peers, all gravely wrought

up to furious anger with the attitude

of the Fox, who went forth proudly displayed

in blazing brightness of his beauty’s beams,

and glorious light of his sunshiny face,

as if the very King might call him son,

and that Reynard had not trespassed to anyone.

2

There were none here so poor nor feeble of kin

but that he made himself ready to complain

on Reynard the Fox; who went his way on

in the middle of the place, a majestic return,

and came to stand before the King, and said,

“God give you great honour and worship, my Lord.

No King e’er lived that had a truer friend

than I have been to your good grace, and still am;

not for a hair on my head would I cause you any trouble.”

3

“Nevertheless, dear lord” (Fox continued)

“I know many in the Court would destroy me

if you would believe them; but no, thank God,

it nowise befits your crown to believe

these false deceivers and liars. To God

must we make complaint how these lying friends

and flatterers filling up the Court these days

are most heard and believed, all the wicked

villains of mischievous policy, and evil-disposed.”

4

“Many a one here would do a good soul

all the harm and hurt they may” (advised Fox)

“Our Lord God shall reward them for their service.”

The King answered : “Enough, Reynard, false thief

and traitor! How well you spin your fair tales!

But all those words shall not help you a straw.”

Here the Rooster could be still no longer,

but cried out, “Alas, what he has done to me!”

“Be still” (said the King) “let me answer this foul thief.”

Jeff Bernstein · July 12, 2024

Edward Catich

Published by Catich Gallery, 1991.

[ St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa. ]

Jeff Bernstein · July 12, 2024

Algernon Charles Swinburne
Printed in Great Britain by the Golden Cockerel Press
1948

dust.

Edited July 13, 2024 by Jeff Bernstein

Jeff Bernstein · July 13, 2024

How the Fox came to the Court, cont’d.

5

“Reynard, the general peace I’ve commanded”

(the King said) “This ye have followed, have ye?”

The Fox began—But the King interrupted,

“Oh, you wicked thief! You say you love me?

You demonstrated that excellently

with my messengers, the unfortunate

Bruno and Tibert, who both returned bloody!

So give me nor complaint nor argument,

but your life, I command, this day shall be your last.”

6

“Dear lord and mighty King, is it my fault

whenever Bruno’s head becomes bloody?

When he ate the honey of honest Lantfert,

and caused the Priest great harm and injury,

thus was he beaten justly for his crime;

and Bruno is so strong of paw and limb

he might well have avenged himself on them

before he sprang in the water, and went downstream.”

7

“Then Tibert the Cat came to my Castle,

and I invited him in happily.

If then he went out without my counsel

and caught mice at the honourable priest’s house,

and the priest did him harm, and take his eye,

and the people of the village beat him senseless,

if I should take the blame for all that, my King,

I might say I haven’t much happiness.

Make it not so, my Lord, that I’ve lost my happiness.”

8

“Do what ye will” (Fox said) “My conscience is clear.

Boil me in a pot, roast me, hang me,

make me blind; I cannot escape your law;

we all abide under your correction.

Ye be mighty and strong. I am feeble,

and my assistance to you is paltry;

if ye put me to death it were small vengeance.”

While the Lion and Reynard thus spoke

up sprang Bellyn the Ram and his ewe Dame Oleway.

9

“My Lord the King” (Ram said) “hear our complaint!”

Bruno the Bear came with all his lineage;

and Tibert the Cat and Isegrim the Wolf;

and the Hare and the Panther and the Boar;

and the Camel and the Goose and the Kid

and the Goat; and Baldwin the Ass; and the Bull

and the Cock and the Ox and the Weasel;

before the King these made great rumour and noise,

and pressed that the Fox be taken and arrested.

Next : How the Foxe was arestid and juged to deth.

Jeff Bernstein · July 13, 2024

Some notes on early woodcut books, with a chapter on illuminated manuscripts

William Morris

New York : Elston Press, 1902.

No way to reproduce the miraculous black ink that pops like light.

Edited July 13, 2024 by Jeff Bernstein

Jeff Bernstein · July 13, 2024

Jeff Bernstein · July 13, 2024

21:21. Lens flare above right, moves screen right with camera.

Bad Girl (1931)

Edited July 13, 2024 by Jeff Bernstein

Jeff Bernstein · July 14, 2024

Medici Society, 1913.

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