ODE
on
the
Death
of
a
Favourite
CAT
,
Drowned
in
a
Tub
of
Gold
Fishes
.
By
the
Same
.
I.
'TWAS
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
,
Gaz'd
on
the
lake
below
.
II
.
Her
conscious
tail
her
joy
declar'd
;
The
fair
round
face
,
the
snowy
beard
,
The
velvet
of
her
paws
,
The
coat
that
with
the
tortoise
vies
,
Her
ears
of
jet
,
and
emerald
eyes
,
She
saw
;
and
purr'd
applause
.
III
.
Still
had
she
gaz'd
:
but
'midst
the
tide
Two
beauteous
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
.
IV
.
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
?
V.
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
.
VI
.
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
!
VII
.
From
hence
,
ye
beauties
undeceiv'd
,
Know
,
one
false
step
is
ne'er
retriev'd
,
And
be
with
caution
bold
.
Not
all
that
tempts
your
wand'ring
eyes
And
heedless
hearts
,
is
lawful
prize
;
Nor
all
,
that
glisters
,
gold
.