If you ’ve seen the musicalCats , you might be familiar with the imaginary book of verse on which it ’s found — Old Possum ’s Book of Practical Catsby T.S. Eliot . The collection follows the antics of a radical of magnetic feline , including a mysterious thief namedMacavity , a contrarian tom namedThe Rum Tum Tugger , and the magicalMr . Mistoffelees .
Now , The Guardianreports that Eliot once created another coloured cat : Cumberleylaude , a “ Gourmet Cat ” with a orientation for “ Salmon River , duck , or expensive French wine . ”
Eliot invented Cumberleylaude afterhaving dinner with a friendnamed Anthony Laude in 1964 . In a thank - you note , Eliot expressed his appreciation for the meal , and allege he felt inspire to make a new character:“Cumberley , a especially exacting eater without doubt , but a dignified and beautiful cat . ”
Eliot ended up jotting down three verses of six lines , which described the cat and its persnickety roof of the mouth : “ With care he chooses his lieu to dine , / And dresses consequently , if he has time , ” Eliot write . “ The best is only fit for the effective he opines , / When he wants salmon , or duck , or expensive Gallic wine . "
The poem was never publish , and it was after found inside a book after Laude died in 2003 . It was sold along with the letter on eBay in 2006 , although Eliot reportedly also keep his own copy .
Just this past week , the poem was eventually printed for the first prison term inThe Sunday Times . It will also be included in a new edition of Eliot ’s body of work , published by Faber & Faber on November 5 . But will Cumberleylaude ever get the chance to preen and prance on a Broadway stage ?
“ We go for thatCatswill retort to Broadway next twelvemonth — so who knows ? ” Andrew Lloyd Webber , who obviously learned of the poem ’s existence in 2008 , toldThe Sunday Times .
[ h / tThe Guardian , The Sunday Times ]
