=THE CAT 



I only know they make me light and salutary meals ; 

 And if — as 'tis my nature to — ere I devour, I tease 



'em, 

 Why should a low-bred gardener's boy pursue me with 



a besom? 



Should china fall, or chandeliers, or anything but 

 stocks, — 



Nay, stocks when they're in flower-pots, the cat ex- 

 pects hard knocks; 



Should ever anything be missed, — milk, coals, um- 

 brellas, brandy, 



The cat's pitched into with a boot, or anything that's 

 handy. 



" I remember, I remember," how one night I " fleeted 



by," 



And gain'd the blessed tiles, and gazed into the cold, 



clear sky. 

 " I remember, I remember, how my little lovers 



came," 

 And there, beneath the crescent moon, play'd many a 



little game. 



They fought! by good St. Catherine, 'twas a fearful 

 sight to see 



The coal-black crest, the glowering orbs, of one gi- 

 gantic He. 



128 



