THE CAT 



Auld Bawthren grey, she kitten'd me here, 

 An* wha was my sire I didna spier; 

 Brithers an' sisters smoor'd i' the weir, 

 Left me alane to my mither dear. 



As I grew a cat wi' look sae douce, 

 She taught me to catch the pilf 'rin mouse ; 

 Wi' the thievish rottons I had nae truce, 

 But banished them a' frae the maister's house. 



Mither got fushionless, auld, an' blin, 

 The bluid in her veins was cauld an* thin, 

 Her claws were blunt, an' she couldna rin, 

 An' t* her forbears was sune gathered in. 



Now I sit hurklin' aye in the ase, 



The queen I am o' that cozy place; 



As wi' ilka paw I dicht my face, 



I sing an* purr wi* mickle grace, 



Three threeds an* a thrum, 

 Three threeds an* a thrum. 



Anonymous. 



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