THE CAT= 



Presumptuous maid ! with looks intent, 

 Again she stretched, again she bent, 



Nor knew the gulf between. 

 Malignant Fate sat by and smiled, 

 The slippery verge her feet beguiled, 



She stumbled headlong in. 



Eight times emerging from the flood, 

 She mewed to every watery god 



Some speedy aid to send. 

 No Dolphin came, no Nereid stirred, 

 Nor cruel Tom nor Susan heard; 



A favourite has no friend! 



From hence, ye Beauties ! undeceived, 

 Know one false step is ne'er retrieved, 



And be with caution bold: 

 Not all that tempts your wandering eyes 

 And heedless hearts is lawful prize, 



Nor all that glisters, gold. 



Thomas Gray. 



159 



