THE CAT 



Tom of Corpus 



The Junior Fellow's vows were said; 

 Among his co-mates and their Head 



His place was fairly set. 

 Of welcome from friends old and new 

 Full dues he had, and more than due ; 



What could be lacking yet? 



One said, " The Senior Fellow's vote! " 

 The Senior Fellow, black of coat, 



Save where his front was white, 

 Arose and sniffed the stranger's shoes 

 With critic nose, as ancients use 



To judge mankind aright. 



I — for 'twas I who tell the tale — 

 Conscious of fortune's trembling scale, 



Awaited the decree; 

 But Tom had judged: "He loves our race; 

 And, as to his ancestral place, 



He leapt upon my knee. 



Thenceforth in common-room and hall, 

 A verus socius known to all, 



I came and went and sat, 

 Far from cross fate or envy's reach, 

 For none a title could impeach, 



Accepted by the cat. 

 110 



