CAT PROVERBS. 189 



/'// not buy a cat in a poke. F., Chat en Poche. See 

 what you buy ; bargain not on another's word. 



Just as quick as a cat up a walnut-tree. — D'Urfey. To 

 climb well and easily. To be alert and sudden. 



Let the cat wink, and let the mouse run. For want of 

 watching and care much is lost. — Hazlitt's '' Dodsley," i. 

 265. The first portion is in the interlude of " The World and 

 the Child," 1522. 



Like a cat he^l fall on his legs. To succeed, never to 

 fail, always right. 



Like a cat round hot milk. Wait and have ; all things 

 come to those who wait. 



Little and little the cat eateth the stickle. — Heywood. 

 Constant dropping weareth a stone. 



Long and slender like a cat's elbow. — Hazlitt. A sneer 

 at the ill-favoured. 



Love me, love 7ny cat. — This refers to one marrying ; in 

 taking a wife he must take her belongings. Or, where you 

 like, you must avoid contention. 



Never was cat or dog drowned that could see the shore. 

 To know the way often brings a right ending. 



JVone but cats and dogs are alloiued to quarrel here. All 

 else agree. 



No playing wipi a strazv before an old cat. — Heywood, 

 1562. Every trifling toy age cannot laugh at. — " Youth and 

 Folly, Age and Wisdom." 



Rats walk at their ease if cats do fiot them meese. — 

 WoDROEPHE, 1623. Rogues abound where laws are weak. 



Setid not a cat for lard. —G^o^G'e. Herbert. Put not 

 any to temptation. 



So as cat is afier kind. Near friends are dearest. Birds 

 of a feather flock together. 



Take the chestnuts out of the fire with the cafs paw. 

 Making use of others to save oneself. 



