THE CAT AS A TORMENTOR. 



Shakespeare, in "Lucrece," says : 



" Yet foul night-waking cat, he doth but dally, 

 While in his holdfast foot the weak mouse panteth." 



In an essay on " The Art of Ingeniously Tormenting " 

 (1753), the cat is aUuded to in the frontispiece — a cat at 

 play with a mouse, below which is the couplet : 



The cat doth play, 

 And after slay. 



Child^s Guide, 



Giovanni Batista Casti, in his book, "Tre Giuli" (1762), 

 likens the cat to one who lends money, and suddenly 

 pounces on the debtor : 



Thus sometimes with a mouse, ere nip, 

 The cat will on her hapless victim smile, 

 Until at length she gives the fatal grip. 



