THE CAT= 



And if I make despatch and follow hard, 

 No doubt but I shall find him in the yard." 

 For long ere now it should have been rehears'd, 

 'Twas in the garden that I saw him first. 

 E'en there I found him, there the full-grown cat 

 His head, with velvet paw, did gently pat, 

 As curious as the kittens erst had been 

 To learn what this phenomenon might mean. 

 Fill'd with heroic ardour at the sight, 

 And fearing every moment he might bite, 

 And rob our household of our only cat 

 That was of age to combat with a rat, 

 With outstretch'd hoe I slew him at the door, 

 And taught him never to come there no more. 



William Cowper. 



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