The Woodpecker Added by WilliamMorris

Image: William Morris Gallery

This tapestry was woven in 1885. It is one of the few that was designed entirely by William Morris, as most other tapestries were collaborations between the artists at Morris and Co. This particular tapestry was shown at the first exhibition of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1888.
The text that is on the tapestry refers to a legend about Picus, in particular the one tecounted by the Latin poet Ovid. Picus was an Italian king who was turned into a woodpecker by Circe.
The text reads:
' I once a king and chief
Now am the tree bark's thief
Ever 'twixt trunk and leaf
chasing prey.'

Source:
William Morris Gallery
http://www1.walthamforest.gov.uk/wmg/selecta.htm

For more on the legend try:
Encyclopedia Mythica
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/picus.html
Godchecker
http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/roman-mythology.php?deity=PICUS
Book 14 of Ovid's Metamorpheses
http://books.google.com/books?id=6NdpGHErhucC&dq=Ovid's+Metamorpheses&pg=PP1&ots=PbjZCxebHT&sig=XugqjW0ntnWAPZZfNg3-bwTykbs&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result