THE CAT TRIUMPHANT 133 



But scorning all these kindes, 



I would become a Cat, 

 To combat with the creeping Mouse, 



And scratch the screeking Rat. 



" I would be present, aye, 



And at my Ladle's call, 

 To gard her from the fearful! Mouse, 



In Parlour and in Hall ; 

 In Kitchen, for his Lyf e, 



He should not shew his hed ; 

 The Pease in Poke should lie untoucht 



When shee were gone to Bed. 



" The Mouse should stand in Feare, 

 So should the squeaking Rat ; 

 All this would I doe if I were 

 Converted to a Cat." 



It is grateful to find Pussy's courage and devo- 

 tion so happily vindicated; but we cannot ignore 

 the fact that this glowing tribute to the joys of war 

 is addressed — not to the valorous cat the poet en- 

 vies — but to the fair coward whom he loves. In 

 the same spirit of delicate flattery, Prior inscribes 

 some verses to " My Lord Buckhurst, Very young, 

 Playing with a Cat," which begin 



" The am'rous youth, whose tender breast 

 Was by his darling cat possest, 

 Obtained of Venus his desire ; " 



and which go on to implore the little lord never to 

 prefer " so rash a prayer," lest the goddess of love, 



