CHAPTER VII 



THE CAT TRIUMPHANT 



" He stood, an ebon crescent, flouting that ivory moon, 

 Then raised the pibroch of liis race, the Song without a Tune." 



OUT of the murky shadows which shroud 

 the cat during long centuries of passive 

 neglect or active- persecution, there gleam 

 here and there flashes of brilliant light in which we 

 see her sheltered by those whose protection was an 

 honour, cherished by those whose love was a conse- 

 cration. In Italy, poets as well as painters felt the 

 sweet charm of her companionship, and strove to 

 give their sympathy expression. Tasso addressed 

 to his cat a sonnet brimming with tender flattery ; 

 and of Petrarch's pet it has been prettily said that 

 she was her master's joy in the sunshine, his solace 



