Concerning Cats in Poetry 



Why, why was pigeon's flesh so nice, 



That thoughtless cats should love it thus ? 



Hadst thou but lived on rats and mice, 

 Thou hadst been living still, poor Fuss I 



Cursed be the taste, howe'er refined. 

 That prompts us for such joys to wish ; 



And cursed the dainty where we find 

 Destruction lurking in the dish. 



Among the poets. Pussy has always found plenty 

 of friends. Her feline grace and softness has inspired 

 some of the greatest, and, from Tasso and Petrarch 

 down, her quiet and dignified demeanor have been 

 celebrated in verse. Mr. Swinburne, within a few 

 years, has written a charming poem which was pub- 

 lished in the Athenceum, and which places the 

 writer among the select inner circle of true cat- 

 lovers. He calls his verses — 



TO A CAT 



Stately, kindly, lordly friend, 



Condescend 

 Here to sit by me, and turn 

 Glorious eyes that smile and bum, 

 Golden eyes, love's lustrous meed, 

 On the golden page I read. 



• ***•• 

 Dogs may fawn on all and some 



As they come : 

 l6i 



