Jacob Cats : Keur uit zijn Verhalende Gedichten

Jacob Cats invites listeners into a lively world where moral lessons slip seamlessly into witty storytelling. In this compact selection he retells fables of lions and mice, pumpkins and oysters, and the antics of a mischievous boy who pretends to drown for a girl’s affection. The verses sparkle with the simple, conversational language that made Cats a beloved voice in seventeenth‑century Holland.

Beyond the charming animal tales, the collection offers brief, relatable sketches of everyday life—travel advice, gentle admonitions, and playful observations on love and pride. Cats draws from distant lands and fresh gossip alike, turning each anecdote into a memorable rhyme that feels both timeless and intimately familiar. Listeners will hear the echo of a society that turned to poetry for both guidance and delight.

The editor’s introduction frames Cats as a master of the “poet‑narrator,” someone who could entertain a crowded tavern as easily as he could counsel a parishioner. His skill at weaving humor with practical wisdom ensures that even modern ears find the verses warm, accessible, and surprisingly relevant. This anthology is a quick, enjoyable immersion into the heart of Dutch moral poetry.