THE CAT= 



Erected stiff, and gait awry, 

 Like Madam in her tantrums high; 

 Though ne'er a Madam of them all 

 Whose silken kirtle sweeps the hall, 

 More varied trick and whim displays, 

 To catch the admiring stranger's gaze. 

 Doth power in measured verses dwell, 

 All thy vagaries wild to tell? 

 Ah no ! the start, the j et, the bound, 

 The giddy scamper round and round, 

 With leap, and j erk, and high curvet, 

 And many a whirling somerset 

 (Permitted be the modern Muse 

 Expression technical to use), 

 These mock the deftliest rhymester's skill, 

 So poor in art, though rich in will. 



The nimblest tumbler, stage-bedight, 

 To thee is but a clumsy wight, 

 Who every limb and sinew strains 

 To do what costs thee little pains, 

 For which, I trow, the gaping crowd 

 Requites him oft with plaudits loud. 

 But, stopped the while thy wanton play, 

 Applauses too thy feats repay: 

 For then, beneath some urchin's hand. 

 With modest pride thou takest thy stand, 

 While many a stroke of fondness glides 

 Along thy back and tabby sides. 

 17 ' 



