Verses on a Cat

Lyrics

[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! ***