CHAPTER VII 



THE CAT TRIUMPHANT 



" He stood, an ebon crescent, flouting that ivory moon, 

 Then raised the pibroch of his race, the Song without a Tune." 



OUT of the murky shadows which shroud 

 the cat during long centuries of passive 

 neglect or active persecution, there gleam 

 here and there flashes of brilliant light in which we 

 see her sheltered by those whose protection was an 

 honour, cherished by those whose love was a conse- 

 cration. In Italy, poets as well as painters felt the 

 sweet charm of her companionship, and strove to 

 give their sympathy expression. Tasso addressed 

 to his cat a sonnet brimming with tender flattery ; 

 and of Petrarch's pet it has been prettily said that 

 she was her master's joy in the sunshine, his solace 



