[Of the following pieces the “Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire”, the

Poems from “St. Irvyne, or The Rosicrucian”, “The Posthumous Fragments of Margaret Nicholson” and “The Devil’s Walk”, were published by Shelley himself; the others by Medwin, Rossetti, Forman and Dowden, as indicated in the several prefatory notes.]

VERSES ON A CAT.

[Published by Hogg, “Life of Shelley”, 1858; dated 1800.]

1. A cat in distress, Nothing more, nor less; Good folks, I must faithfully tell ye, As I am a sinner, It waits for some dinner To stuff out its own little belly.

2. You would not easily guess All the modes of distress Which torture the tenants of earth; And the various evils, Which like so many devils, Attend the poor souls from their birth.

3. Some a living require, And others desire An old fellow out of the way; And which is the best I leave to be guessed, For I cannot pretend to say.

4. One wants society, Another variety, Others a tranquil life; Some want food, Others, as good, Only want a wife.

5. But this poor little cat Only wanted a rat, To stuff out its own little maw; And it were as good SOME people had such food, To make them HOLD THEIR JAW!

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