Albertus Magnus, that is Albert the Great
Text[]
De animalibus, lib. XXII, 119[]
Latin original[]
Monocerontem vocant animal ex multis compositum, mugitu horridum, equino corpore, elefantinis pedibus, cauda suilla, capite cervino, in media fronte cornu gestans splendore miro pulcrum longitudinis quatuor pedum adeo acutum quod facili ictu perforat omne in quod impingit. Vix autem aut nunquam domari potest et vix vivum in hominis venit potestatem: vinci enim se videns, occidit furore seipsum.
De animalibus, lib. XXII, 126[]
Latin original[]
Onager autem Indicus alius est a praedicto, magnitudinis magnae et fortitudinis, cornu ingens gestans in medio frontis: et hoc animal quasi iactans fortitudinem aliquando saxa frangit de rupibus non ob aliud nisi in suarum virium demonstrationem. Ungulas habet acutas valde et continuas.
English translation[]
However, the Indian wild ass, different from the aforementioned [African ass], is of great size and might and carries a huge horn in the middle of its forehead. This animal likes to boast its strength, sometimes ripping the splinters off a rock for no other reason but the demonstration of its power. It has very sharp solid hooves.
De animalibus, lib. XXII, 144[]
Latin original[]
Unicornis est animal moderatae quantitatis respectu suae fortitudinis, buxei coloris et fissae in duo ungulae pedis, in montibus et desertis habitans longum valde cornu in fronte gestans quod ad saxa limat, et cum ipso perforat etiam elefantem nec timet venatorem. Hoc animal magnus Pompeius ad spectaculum Romae exhibuit.
Dicunt autem quod hoc animal adeo virgines puellas venerator quod ipsis visis mansuescit et aliquando iuxta eas soporatum capitur et ligatur: capitur etiam cum adhuc est pullus iuventis et tunc domatur.
English translation[]
The unicorn is an animal of moderate size in respect of its strength. It is of boxwood color and has cloven hooves. It lives in mountains and deserts and carries a very long horn on its forehead, which it sharpens on rocks and with which it can even pierce an elephant. It needs not fear the hunters. Pompey the Great exhibited this animal in the games at Rome.
They say, however, that this animal adores young virgins so much, that having seen them, it becomes tame and once asleep beside them, it is captured and bound. It also may be taken and subdued when it is still young.