First edition

[In red:] RIMBAUD | by | EZRA POUND | [in black: device] | ALL’INSEGNA DEL PESCE D’oro [Vanni Scheiwiller] | MILANO*MCMLVII

1 blank leaf, 17 pp., 2 leaves, incl. front., illus. 18.1 x 12.5 cm. Cream paper wrappers printed in black and red on page [i], folded over stiff white blanks; sewn. Half-title: Five French Poems Published April 1957 at L. 400; 500 copies printed. Colophon (recto of second leaf following page 17): This booklet edited by Vanni Scheiwiller has been printed by Stamperia Valdonega, Verona in 500 numbered copies. 9 April 1957 Copy N. [number stamped in]

The French text and the English translation are printed on opposite pages. “The ‘Study of French Poets’ appeared in the Little Review nearly 40 years ago. The student hoped that the selection would stimulate thought and that possibly one or two of the thousands of aspirants for literary glory would take up the matter. As no adequate translations have yet appeared, he now takes pity on those who haven’t had time to learn French but might like to know what the French authors were writing about, and herewith starts to provide a guide to the meaning of the poems then given in the original only.” (Note, signed: E. P., p. 5) Contents: [Note signed: E. P.]—[B65 Rimbaud] Comédie en trois baisers: Comedy in Three Caresses—Au cabaret-vert: Cabaret Vert—Vénus Anadyoméne: Anadyomene—Laurent Tailhade (1854-1919). Rus: Laurent Tailhade. Rus—[Rimbaud] Les chercheuses de poux: Lice-Hunters Note: The English translation (only) of “Comedy in Three Caresses” was reprinted in The Guinness Book of Poetry 1959/60 (London, [1961]), pp. 100-1.