26o The Book of Cats. 



"ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE CAT, 



" Drow7tcd in a Tub of Gold Fishes. 



*' 'Twas on a lofty vase's side, 

 Where China's gayest art had dyed 



The azure ilowers that blow, 

 Demurest of the tabby kind, 

 The pensive Selima reclined, 



Gazed on the lake below. 



" Her conscious tail her joy declared — 

 The fair round face, the snowy beard, 



The velvet of her paws, 

 Her coat, that with the tortoise vies. 

 Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes — 



She saw and purred applause. 



*' Still had she gazed, but 'midst the tide, 

 Two angel forms were seen to glide, 



The genii of the stream ; 

 Their scaly 'armour's Tyrian hue. 

 Though richest purple to the view. 

 Betrayed a golden gleam. 



" The hapless nymph, with wonder saw, 

 A whisker first, and then a claw ; 



With many an ardent wish 

 She stretched in vain to reach the prize ; — 

 What female heart can gold despise? 

 What Cat 's averse to fish ? 



** Presumptuous maid, with looks intent, 

 Again she stretched, again she bent. 

 Nor knew the gulf between j 



