THE CA^ 



So said, — a ponderous trap he brought, 

 And in the fact poor Puss was caught. 



" Smuggler/' says he, " thou shalt be made 



A victim to our loss of trade." 



The captive Cat, with piteous mews, 

 For pardon, life, and freedom sues. 

 " A sister of the science spare ! 

 One interest is our common care." 

 " What insolence ! " the Man replied ; 

 " Shall Cats with us the game divide? 

 Were all your interloping band 

 Extinguished, or expelled the land, 

 We Rat-catchers might raise our fees, 

 Sole guardians of a nation's cheese ! " 



A Cat who saw the lifted knife, 

 Thus spoke, and saved her sister's life: 

 " In every age and clime, we see 

 Two of a trade can ne'er agree; 

 Each hates his neighbour for encroaching, 

 Squire stigmatizes squire for poaching ; 

 Beauties with beauties are in arms, 

 And scandal pelts each other's charms; 

 Kings, too, their neighbour kings dethrone. 

 In hope to make the world their own. 

 133 



