THE CAT; 



Epitaph on the Favourite Cat of Mme. la 

 Duchesse du Maine 



Puss passer-by, within this simple tomb 



Lies one whose life fell Atropos hath shred; 

 The happiest cat on earth hath heard his doom, 



And sleeps forever in a marble bed. 

 Alas! what long delicious days I've seen! 



O cats of Egypt, my illustrious sires, 

 You who on altars, bound with garlands green, 



Have melted hearts and kindled fond desires, 

 Hymns in your praise were paid, and offerings too; 



But I'm not jealous of those rites divine; 

 Since Ludovisa loved me, fond and true, 



Your ancient glory was less proud than mine. 

 To live, a simple pussy, by her side, 



Was nobler far than to be deified. 



Translated from the French of La Mothe le Vayer 

 by Edmund Gosse. 



71 



