238 EPISTLE FROM ROMEO TO MISS -—— 
Tell, how you spread the genial board 
With tempting food, to win my stay; 
And to my heart you found a road— 
A road well known—“ the milky way.” 
Now, by the stranger-guests carest, 
I bent my head to meet each hand ; 
No more vain terrors fill’d my breast ;— 
Gently I purr’d in murmurs bland. 
But, soon the happy hour was past, 
The time was come I must retire ; 
And for the howling wintry blast, 
Quit all the comforts of the fire ! 
I went, and though the night was chill, 
With joyful heart I went away ; 
For, though I had been favour’d—still, 
I felt 1 was constrain’d to stay. 
Nor do I at my fate repine, 
Nor wish to seek the house again ; 
For, now, dear liberty is mine— 
Precious to Cats, as well as Men! 
Romeo. 
