THE CAT= 



The Cat of Great Britain 



The Cat is surely most like to the Leoparde, 

 and hathe a great mouthe, and sharp teeth, and a 

 long tongue, plyante, thin and subtle. He lap- 

 peth therewith when he drinketh, as other beastes 

 do that have the nether lip shorter than the over ; 

 for, by cause of unevenness of lips, such beastes 

 suck not in drinking, but lap and lick, as Aristotle 

 saith, and Plinius also. He is a swifte and merye 

 beaste in youthe, and leapeth, and riseth on all 

 things that are tofore him, and is led by a straw, 

 and playeth therewith; and he is a righte heavye 

 beaste in age, and full sleepye, and lyeth slyly in 

 waite for Mice, and is ware where they bene more 

 by smell than by sighte, and hunteth, and riseth on 

 them in privy places. And when he taketh a 

 Mouse, he playeth therewith, and eateth him after 

 the play. He is a cruell beaste when he is wilde, 

 and dwelleth in woods, and hunteth there small 

 beastes as conies and hares. 



Translated from the Latin by Thomas Berthlet. 

 Printed by Wynkyn de Worde. 1498. 



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