Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes

Design.

1. "Midst the tide Two Angel forms were seen to Glide"

2. "Demurest of the Tabby kind"

3. The pensive Selima Her Ears of Jet, & Emerald Eyes, She saw & purred applause"

4. "Still had she gaz'd but midst the tide Two Angel forms were seen to glide, The hapless nymph with wonder saw A Whisker first & then a Claw, &c"

5. Malignant Fate sat by & smiled The slippery verge her feet beguild, She tumbled headlong in."

6.Nine times emerging from the flood She mew'd to every watry God"

was on a lofty vase's side, Where China's gayest art had dy'd The azure flowers, that blow; Demurest of the tabby kind, The pensive Selima, reclin'd, Gazed 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 tortoise vies, Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes, She saw; and purred applause.

Still had she gaz'd; but 'midst the tide Two angel forms were seen to glide, The Genii of the stream; Their scaly 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 averse to fish?

Presumptuous maid! with looks intent Again she stretch'd, again she bent, Nor knew the gulph between. (Malignant Fate sat by, and smil'd) The slipp'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 send. No Dolphin came, no Nereid stirr'd; Nor cruel Tom, nor Susan heard, A fav'rite has no friend!

From hence, ye beauties, undeceiv'd, Know, one false step is ne'er retriev'd, And be with caution bold.

Nor all that tempts your wand'ring eyes, And heedless hearts, is lawful prize; Nor all, that glisters, gold.