I am perplexed by something Kinbote says in his notes to lines 433-434.  In one passage, he talks about how the image of Disa attaches itself to seemingly unrelated worries, a phenomenon he compares to the way "a battle or a reform becomes a bird of wonder in a tale for children."  I have done some snooping around and am fairly certain that "bird of wonder" is a reference to the phoenix.  Shakespeare uses this term, clearly referring to the phoenix, in the final scene of Henry VIII.  Unfortunately, there is no battle, reform or tale for children in that scene.  I

 

've hit on another possibility, but I'm not sure what to do with it.  In S.T. Coleridge's translation of "The Death of Wallenstein," by Friedrich Schiller, Wallenstein, in full armor, gives a rousing speech as he prepares to lead his men into battle.  Within the speech we find:

 

The plough, the workshop is forsaken, all

Swarm to the familiar long-lov'd banners;

And as the wood-choir rich in melody

Assemble quick around the bird of wonder,

When first his throat swells with his magic song,

So did the warlike youth of Germany

Crowd in around the image of my eagle.

 

Is this the odd juxtaposition of battle and children's tale of which Kinbote speaks? If so, why call our attention to this? 

 

A check of Wikipedia reveals that Wallenstein "was a Bohemian soldier and politician who gave his services (an army of 30,000 to 100,000 men) during the Danish Period of the Thirty Years' War to Ferdinand II for no charge except the right to plunder the territories that he conquered. A successful generalissimo who ruled the Duchy of Friedland in northern Bohemia, Wallenstein was released from service in 1630 after Ferdinand grew wary of his ambition. Several Protestant victories over Catholic armies induce d Ferdinand to recall Wallenstein, who again turned the war in favor of the Imperial cause. Dissatisfied with the emperor's treatment of him, Wallenstein considered allying with the Protestants. However, Ferdinand had the general assassinated [by Irish assassins] at Eger (Cheb)."

 

I should also note that VN was very familiar with Schiller. He mentions him many times in his EO commentary, even mocking a French "translation" of "The Death of Wallenstein" by Constance.

 

Matt Roth