老负鼠讲讲世上的猫 艾略特诗集原本.docVIP

艾略特诗集《老负鼠讲讲世上的猫》 Old Possums Book of Practical Cats Old Possums Book of Practical Cats T. S. Eliot Faber And Feber Limited, 24 Russell Square First published in September, Mcmxxxix Preface This Book is respectfully dedicated to those friends who have assisted its composition by their encouragement, Critishm and suggestions: and in particluar to Mr. T. E. Faber, Miss Alison Tandy, Miss Susan Wolcott, Miss Susanna Morley, and the Man in White Spats. O. P. CONTENTS The Naming of Cats The Old Gumbie Cat Growltigers Last Stand The Rum Tum Tugger The Song of the Jellicles Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer Old Deuteronomy The Pekes and the Pollicles Mr. Mistorffelees Macavity: the Mystery Cat Gus: the Theatre Cat Bustopher Jones: the Cat about Town Skimbleshanks: the Railway Cat The Ad-dressing of Cats THE NAMING OF CATS The naming of cats is a difficult matter, ?? It isnt just one of your holiday games; You may think at first Im mad as a hatter ?? When I tell you a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES. First of all, theres the name that the family use daily, ?? Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James, Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey -- ?? All of them are sensible, everyday names. There are suncier names if you think they sound sweeter, ?? Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames: Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter -- ?? But all of them sensible everyday names. But I tell you, a cat needs a name thats particular, ?? A name thats peculiar and more dignified,? Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular, ?? Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?? Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum, ?? Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat, Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum -- ?? Names that never belong to more than one cat. But above and beyond theres still one name left over, ?? And that is the name that you will never guess; The name that no human research can discover -- ?? But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS and will never con