O D E ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE CAT, Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes. 'T WAS on a lofty vafe's fide, Where China's gayeft art had dy'd The azure flowers, that blow ; Demureft of the tabby kind, Gaz'd on the lake below. Her Her confcious tail her joy declar'd: The fair round face, the fnowy beard, The velvet of her paws, Her coat, that with the tortoise vies, Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes, Still had she gaz'd; but 'midft the tide The Genii of the ftream: Their fcaly armour's Tyrian hue Thro' richest purple to the view Betray'd a golden gleam. The hapless Nymph with wonder faw, A whisker firft, and then a claw, With With many an ardent wish, She stretch'd in vain to reach the prize; What female heart can gold defpise ? What Cat's averfe to fish! Prefumptuous Maid! with looks intent (Malignant fate fat by, and smil'd) She tumbled headlong in. Eight times emerging from the flood She mew'd to ev'ry wat'ry God, Some speedy aid to fend. No Dolphin came, no Nereid stirr'd : Nor cruel Tom, nor Sufan heard. A Fav'rite has no friend! From |