O D E

ON THE DEATH OF A

FAVOURITE CA T.

Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes.

D3

Where China's gayeft art had dy'd

The azure flowers, that blow;

Demureft of the tabby kind,

The penfive Selima reclin'd,

Gaz'd on the lake below.

Her conscious tail her joy declar'd;

The fair round face, the snowy beard,

The velvet of her paws;

Her coat, that with the tortoife vies,

Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes,
She faw; and purr'd applause.

Still had she gaz'd; but 'midst the tide
Two angel forms were seen to glide,
The Genii of the stream:

Their fcaly armour's Tyrian hue,
Thro' richest purple to the view

Betray'd a golden gleam.

The hapless, nymph with wonder saw :

A whisker first, and then a claw,

With many an ardent wish,

She stretch'd, in vain, to reach the prize.
What female heart can gold despise?

What cat's averfe to fish?

Prefump

OF A FAVOURITE CAT.

Prefumptuous maid! with looks intent
Again the stretch'd, again fhe bent,

Nor knew the gulph between:
(Malignant Fate fat by, and smil'd)
The flipp'ry verge her feet beguil'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 ftirr'd.

Nor cruel Tom, nor Sufan heard,

A fav'rite has no friend!

From hence, ye beauties, undeceiv'd,
Know, one falfe ftep is ne'er retriev❜d,

And be with caution bold.

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