JOCUS SEVERUS: A Serious Joke
Ouroboros Press, 2010. First printing. Full black leather bound with raised bands and gilt rules, red leather spine label with gilt title and gilt ouroboros emblem on front cover and with marking ribbon bound in; Translated by Dariys Klein; Frontis folding plate; 142 pages. Item #28770
Fine condition save for a few minor rubbed spots to the cover.
A Serious Joke, that is, The Equitable Tribunal by which the Owl is pronounced Queen of Birds by the Phoenix acting as judge, after various disquisitions and complaints made by birds attacking her; and in which she is recognized as consecrated to Pallas Athena because of her serious wisdom. This is the first English translation of his veritable conference of the birds; Jocus Severus. This alchemical text employs allegory in an entertaining dialogue between several species of birds who are determined to defame the Owl with wordy complaints. The Hawk acts as the Owl's defense while the Phoenix acts as final judge and arbiter over this 'conference of the birds.'
Price: $400.00