TO
My
LORD
BUCKHURST
,
Very
Young
,
Playing
with
a
CAT
.
The
am'rous
Youth
,
whose
tender
Breast
Was
by
his
darling
Cat
possest
,
Obtain'd
of
Venus
his
Desire
,
Howe'er
irregular
his
Fire
:
Nature
the
Pow'r
of
Love
obey'd
:
The
Cat
became
a
blushing
Maid
;
And
,
on
the
happy
Change
,
the
Boy
Imploy'd
his
Wonder
and
his
Joy
.
Take
care
,
O
beauteous
Child
,
take
care
,
Lest
Thou
prefer
so
rash
a
Pray'r
:
Nor
vainly
hope
,
the
Queen
of
Love
Will
e'er
thy
Fav'rite's
Charms
improve
.
O
!
quickly
from
her
Shrine
retreat
;
Or
tremble
for
thy
Darling's
Fate
.
The
Queen
of
Love
,
who
soon
will
see
Her
own
Adonis
live
in
Thee
,
Will
lightly
her
first
Loss
deplore
;
Will
easily
forgive
the
Boar
:
Her
Eyes
with
Tears
no
more
will
flow
:
With
jealous
Rage
her
Breast
will
glow
:
And
on
her
tabby
Rival's
Face
She
deep
will
mark
her
new
Disgrace
.