Chapter IV (4)

I love little Pussy, her coat is so warm;
And if I don't hurt her, she'll do me no harm,
So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I very gently will play.
She'll sit by my side, and I'll give her some food;
And Pussy will love me, because I am good.
Oh! here is Miss Pussy, she's drinking her milk;
Her coat is as soft and as glossy as silk.
She sips the milk up with her little lap-lap;
Then, wiping her whiskers, lies down for a nap.
My kitty is gentle, she loves me right well;
How funny her play is I'm sure I can't tell.
Now under the sofa, now under the table.
She runs and plays bopeep as well as she's able.
Oh! dearly I love her! you never did see
Two happier playmates than kitty and me.

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Dame Trot

Dame Trot once went to a neighbouring fair.
And what do you think she bought herself there?
A pussy! the prettiest ever was seen;
No cat was so gentle, so clever and clean.

Each dear little paw was as black as a sloe,
The rest of her fur was white as the snow,
Her eyes were bright green, and her sweet little face
Was pretty and meek, full of innocent grace.

Dame Trot hurried home with this beautiful cat;
Went upstairs to take off her cloak and her hat;
And when she came down she was astonished to see
That Pussy was busy preparing the tea.

"Oh, what a strange cat!" thought poor little Dame Trot,
"She'll break my best china and upset the pot."
But no harm befell them: the velvety paws
Were quite sure; the Dame for alarm had no cause.

Next morning when little Dame Trot came downstairs,
To attend as usual, to household affairs,
She found that the kitchen was swept up as clean
As if Puss a regular servant had been.

The tea stood to draw, and the toast was done brown;
The Dame very pleased to her breakfast sat down;
While Puss by her side on an armchair sat up,
And lapped her warm milk from a nice china cup.

Now Spot, the old house-dog, looked on in amaze,
He'd never been used to such queer cattish ways,
Put Puss mewed so sweetly, and moved with such grace,
That Spot at last liked her, and licked her white face.

Poor little Dame Trot had no money to spare,
And only too often her cupboard was bare;
Then kind Mrs Pussy would catch a nice fish,
And serve it for dinner upon a clean dish.

The rats and the mice, who wished Pussy to please,
Were now never seen at the butter and cheese;
The Dame daily found that their numbers grew thinner,
For Puss ate a mouse every day for her dinner.

If Puss had a weakness, I need but confess
'Twas a girl of the period's fancy for dress,
Her greatest desire a high chignon and hat,
And a very short dress _a la mode_ for a cat.

So one day when Dame Trot had gone out to dine,
Puss dressed herself up, as she thought, very fine,
And coaxed kind old Spot, who looked at her with pride,
To play pony for her, and give her a ride.

Now Spot, who to welcome his mistress desired,
And to "company manners" had never aspired,
Jumped up to fawn on her--and down came the cat,
And crushed, in her tumble, her feather and hat.

"Oh, puss!" said Dame Trot, "what a very sad mess!
You'd best have remained in your natural dress;
The graces which Nature so kindly bestows
Are more often hid than improved by fine clothes.

Mistress Puss and Doggy

A little dog said, and he looked very wise,
"I think, Mistress Pus,
You make a great fuss
With your back and your great green eyes
And you, Madam Duck,
You waddle and cluck,
Till it gives one the fidgets to hear you;
You'd better run off
To the old pig's trough,
Where none but the pigs, ma'am, are near you."

The duck was good-natured, and she ran away;
But old pussy-cat
With her back up sat,
And said she intended to stay;
And she showed him her paws,
With her sharp, long claws,
So the dog was afraid to come near,
For Puss if she pleases,
When a little dog teases
Can give him a box on the ear.

Don't Hurt Puss

I like little pussy, her coat is so warm,
And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm;
So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I very gently will play.

Head In The Milk Jug

Ho! Master, Mistress, Mary, run,
Your Tabby is in grief;
This broken jug caught hold of me
As though I were a thief.

Cat Up The Plum Tree

Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty,
The cat ran up the plum tree
I lay you a crown
I'll fetch her down;
So diddledy, diddledy, dumpty.

Pussy-Cat Mole

Pussy Cat Mole
Jumped over a coal,
And in her best petticoat burnt a great hole
Poor Pussy is weeping, she'll have no more milk
Until her best petticoat's mended with silk.

The Three Little Kittens

Three little kittens they lost their mittens,
And they began to cry,
"Oh! mammy dear, we sadly fear,
Our mittens we have lost."
"What! lost your mittens,
You naughty kittens,
Then you shall have no pie."
Miew, miew miew, miew.

The three little kittens had need of mittens:
The winter was now nigh.
"Oh! mammy dear, we fear, we fear,
Our mittens we shall need."
"Go, seek your mittens,
You silly kittens;
There's a tempest in the sky."
Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens, in seeking their mittens,
Upset the table high.
"Oh! mammy dear, we doubt and fear,
The house is tumbling down,"
"You foolish kittens,
Go find your mittens,
And do not make things fly."
Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens they found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
"Oh! mammy dear, see here, see here,
Our mittens we have found."
"What! found your mittens,
You little kittens;
Then you shall have some pie."
Purr, purr, purr, purr.

The three little kittens put on their mittens,
And soon ate up the pie;
"Oh! mammy dear, we greatly fear,
Our mittens we have soiled."
"What! soiled your mittens,
You naughty kittens!"
Then they began to sigh.
Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens they washed their mittens,
And hung them up to dry.
"Oh! mammy dear, look here, look here,
Our mittens we have washed,"
"What! washed your mittens,
You darling kittens!--
But I smell a rat close by!
Hush! Hush!" Miew, miew.

The three little kittens put off their mittens,
A hunting match to try.
"Oh! mammy dear, his hole is here:
Our mittens down we fling."
Both cat and kittens
Flung down their mittens;
When--whisk!--the rat ran by.
Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The Dunce of a Kitten

Come, Pussy, will you learn to read?
I've got a pretty book:
Nay, turn this way, you must indeed,
Fie, there's a sulky look!

Here's a pretty picture, see
An apple with a great A;
How stupid you will ever be
If you do nought but play!

Come, A B C, an easy task,
What anyone can do,
I will do anything you ask,
For dearly I love you.

No, no, your lesson is not done,
You have not learnt it half;
You'll grow a downright simpleton,
And make the people laugh.

[Page 152--Pussy Land]

Old Daddy Hubbard and His Cat

Old Daddy Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To get poor Puss some meat;
But when he got there,
I do declare,
There was nothing but two pig's feet.

Daddy went to the fish shop
To get Puss a sprat,
And when he came back,
She was watching a rat.

Daddy went to the carpenter's
To get Puss a house,
And when he came back
She was catching a mouse.

Daddy went to the miller's
To get Puss some meal,
And when he came back
She was skinning an eel.

Daddy went to a meadow
To get milk from a cow,
And when he came back,
Puss cried: "Me-ow, Me-ow."

Daddy went to the crockery shop
To get Puss a dish,
And when he came back
She had caught Ma's goldfish.

Daddy went to the dairy
To get Puss some curd,
And when he came back
She'd ate Ma's pet bird.

Daddy went to the brewer's
To get Puss some beer,
And when he came back
She's a flea in her ear.

Daddy went for some water,
To give Puss some souse,
And when he came back
Puss was top of the house.

Daddy went to the ironmonger's
To get Puss a saw,
And when he came back
She had scalded her paw.

Daddy went to the photographer's
To get Puss some pictures,
And when he came back,
She had burnt off her whiskers.

Daddy went to the garden
To get Puss a snail,
And when he came back
She'd a bottle-brush tail.

Daddy went to the grocer's
To get Puss some tea,
And when he came back
She had run up a tree.

Daddy went to the draper's
To buy Puss some mittens,
And when he came back
She was licking her kittens.

Daddy went to the stable
To get Puss a donkey,
And when he got back
She was teaching the monkey.

Daddy went to the confectioner's
To buy Puss a lollie,
And when he came back
She was nursing the dolly.

Daddy went to get clothes
To make Puss a lady,
And when he came back
She was kissing the baby.

Daddy took Cole's balloon
And got Puss a cloud,
But Puss when she saw it
Laughed right out loud.

Daddy went to the store
To get Puss a herring,
And when he came back
She kept loving and purring

Daddy went to the furrier's
To get Puss a muff,
And when he came back
She was taking some snuff.

Daddy went to the baker's
To get Puss a bun,
And when he came back
She was beating a drum.

Daddy went to the dressmaker's
To buy Puss a frock,
And when he came back
She was winding the clock.

Daddy went to the jeweller's
To get Puss a brooch,
And when he came back
She'd caught a cockroach.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
Some cheap music to buy,
And when he came back
Puss had made a mud pie.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
To buy Puss some pens,
And when he came back
She was feeding some hens.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
To buy Puss a slate,
And when he came back
She opened the gate.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
To buy Puss some ink,
And when he came back
She gave him a wink.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
For an exercise book,
And when he came back
Puss gave a wise look.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
To buy Puss a purse,
And when he came back
She was singing a verse.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
And Oh me! Oh my!
And when he came back
Puss had swallowed a fly.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
Some paper to buy,
And when he came back
Puss thought she would die.

Daddy went to the doctor's
To get Puss a pill,
And when he came back
She still looked very ill.

Daddy went to the auction sale
To buy Puss a bed,
And when he came back
Puss Shammed to be dead.

This was a very wise, knowing Puss; she could read and write, and liked books very, very much, and didn't want to die and be buried, and leave all the mice, and milk, and sausages, and nice books; so she made haste and got better, and when

Daddy went to the cemetery
To dig her a grave,
Puss rushed off at once
Into Cole's Book Arcade.

And that is the present residence of Miss Puss.

[Page 153--Pussy Land]

The Story of a Little Mouse:
Or, Our Happy Family.

Once there was a little mouse,
Who came to live in our house;
She came because she was terribly frighten'd
To stay outside as it thunder'd and lighten'd.

When she came in 'twas nearly dark,
And Ponto he began to bark;
But she ran round at a rapid rate,
Then darted in behind the grate.

Ponto smelt, and sniff'd, and bark'd and scratch'd,
But Mousey was safe and couldn't be catch'd;
So Ponto, when tired laid down to sleep,
And Mousey quite quiet determined to keep.

Mousey stayed there a month, as she thought it was better,
And Ponto could smell her, but never could get her,
But every morning when Ponto went out,
Miss Mousey crept forth, and for crumbs looked about.

Now one day as Ponto came into the house,
Thinks he, I'll be KIND to that poor little mouse;
"So come out Miss Mousey," our Ponto he said,
"And if anyone hurts you I'll bite off his head."

So the poor little mouse came out of the grate,
And ate with our Ponto out of his plate,
And always when Ponto laid down on the mat,
Beside him Miss Mousey in her little chair sat.

But one rainy night as Miss Mousey sat still,
A thing called a bat, came over the hill;
But Ponto says to him, "You are not wanted here,"
And sent the bat off with a flea in his ear.

The very same night as they lay on the mat,
What should come rushing in but a great big rat;
Up jumped Mr. Ponto and gave a loud bark,
And that rat scampered off out into the dark.

They had just got rid of the bat and the rat,
And what should come in but a GREAT TOM CAT;
Came jumping, springing, and bounding along,
And frightened Miss Mousey more than a gong.

He raced after mousey, around, in and out,
Through the house and the yard, and all round about;
To the East, to the West, to the North, to the South,
And at last caught her up in his great big mouth.

He squeezed her back hard and frighten'd her so,
She scarcely could say, "O, please let me go!"
But Tom spoke and said, "Mouse is very good meat,
And as I feel hungry, why, it's you I shall eat."

Tom let her go once, but caught her afresh,
Although Mousey made a most desperate dash;
And again Mousey pleaded, "Oh, please let me go";
But Tom only answered, "Decidedly No!"

But as luck should now have it, our Ponto came in,
And asked Mr. Puss, "What's this horrible din?"
Says Puss to our Ponto, "I've caught this sly thief,
And now I intend to bring her to grief."

Says Ponto to Puss, "The mouse is my friend,
And if you would hurt her, why I must defend
That nice little, kind little, good little mouse,
As long as she ever remains in this house."

Says Pussy to Ponto, "I pray you don't fret;
I'll love and I'll cherish your poor little pet;
She shall sleep on the mat, and we'll find her in food,
Because she is nice and because she is good."

So the nice little mouse, the dog and the cat,
all three ate together, and slept on the mat;
They sung, danc'd and romp'd with joy and merry laughter,
And as the old take says, "Lived happy ever after."

[Page 154--Pussy Land]

History of Mr. Tom Puss And The Rats

Mrs. Puss stayed at home, minded and played with young Master John Puss, Miss Mary Puss, and Baby Puss, while Mr. Puss went out to get them something to eat. He went into a barn, tied a piece of cheese to the tip of his tail, and put it through a hole in a door, thinking that he would catch a rat that way. Some very knowing rats on the other side of the door got a piece of string, tied it to his tail, pulled all together, and made Mr. Puss me-ow very loud, and he found that instead of his catching a rat, the rats had caught him. Mrs. Puss, finding that Mr. Puss did not come home, put little John Puss and Mary Puss to bed without any supper, and then sang little deaf Baby Puss off to sleep by means of the ear trumpet. The rats ate their supper off Mr. Puss's tail, and then let him go. You see what a fine long tail he had when he put it through the hole to catch rats in that foolish manner; and look at his short tail now, in the corner of the page.

Wasn't He A Foolish Puss!!!

[Page 155--More Pussy Land]

Puss In Boots

Once upon a time there was a miller who had three sons. When he was dying he left each of them a legacy. To his eldest son he left his mill; to his second his ass; and to his youngest his cat. The poor boy was very sad when he found that he had nothing belonging to him but a cat; but, to his great surprise, puss jumped on the table and said in a friendly manner: "Do not be sad, my dear master, only buy me a pair of boots and a bag and I'll provide for you and myself." So the miller's son, who had a shilling or two in his pocket, bought a smart little pair of boots and a bag, and gave them to puss, who put some bran and sow-thistles into his bag, opened the mouth of it, and lay down in a rabbit warren. A foolish young rabbit jumped into it; puss drew the string and soon killed it. He went immediately to the palace with it. He found the king and queen sitting on the throne, and, bowing low, he laid the rabbit at the king's feet, saying: "Please, your majesty, my master, the Marquis de Carabas, has sent you a rabbit from his warren, as a mark of respect." "I am much obliged to the Marquis," said the king, and he ordered the rabbit to be taken to the cook, and a piece of money to be given to the cat.

During two or three months the cat continued to carry game every now and then to the king, which was supposed to be the produce of his master's sport. One day when he happened to hear the king was going to take a drive on the banks of the river, in company with his daughter, who was the most beautiful princess in the world, puss desired the master to go and bathe in the river at the spot that he should point out, and leave the rest to him. The Marquis of Carabas did as his cat advised him. Just as he was bathing the king came past, when the cat bawled out as loud as he could--"Help! help! or the Marquis of Carabas will be drowned!" On hearing this, the king looked out of the carriage window, and recognising the cat, ordered his bodyguards to fly to the assistance of my Lord Marquis of Carabas. As the poor Marquis was being fished out of the river, the cat informed his majesty that, while his master was bathing, some robbers had stolen his clothes. The king immediately ordered the gentlemen of his wardrobe to fetch one of his most sumptuous dresses. No sooner had this been done and the Marquis suitably attired, then he looked to such advantage that the king took him to be a very fine gentleman; while the princess was so struck with his appearance, that at once she became head and ears in love with him.

The king insisted that the Marquis should get into the carriage. The cat, highly delighted at the turn thinks were taking, now ran on before, and having reached a meadow where there were some peasants, he thus accosted them; "I say, good folks, if you do not tell the king that this field belongs to the Marquis of Carabas, you shall all be chopped as fine as mince-meat." The king did not fail to inquire of the peasants to whom the meadow belonged? "To the Marquis of Carabas, please your majesty," said they in a breath.

And the cat kept running on before the carriage, and repeating the same instructions to all the labourers he met with, so that the king was astonished at the vast possessions of the Marquis of Carabas.

At length the cat reached a magnificent castle belonging to a giant who was immensely rich. The cat having inquired what sort of person the giant might be, and what he was able to do, sent in a message to request leave to speak with him.

The giant received him civilly. "I have been told," said the cat, "that you have the power of transforming yourself into all sorts of animals." "So I have," replied the giant, "and to prove the truth of what I say you shall see me become a lion." When the cat beheld a lion standing before him, and saw the monster quietly light his pipe, he was seized with such a panic that he clambered up to the roof. After a time, the cat perceiving that the giant had returned to his natural shape, came down again.

"And do you possess the power of assuming the shape of the smallest animals likewise?" "You shall see;" and the giant immediately assumed the shape of a mouse, when the cat pounced upon him and ate him up.

By this time the king had reached the gates of the Giant's magnificent castle, and expressed a wish to enter so splendid a building. The cat ran out to meet the king, saying--"Your majesty is welcome to the Marquis of Carabas's castle."

The king was so delighted with the Marquis of Carabas, that he accepted him as a son-in-law, and that very same day he was married to the princess.

The cat became a great lord, and ever after hunted mice only for his own amusement.

Monkey And The Cats

Two hungry cats having stolen some cheese, could not agree between themselves how to divide their booty; therefore they went to the law, and a cunning monkey was to decide their case.

"Let us see," said the judge (with as arch a look as could be); "ay, ay, this slice truly outweighs the other;" and with this he bit off a large piece, on order, as he told them, to make a fair balance.

The other scale had now become too heavy, which gave this upright judge a pretence to make free with a second mouthful.

"Hold, hold!" cried the two cats; give each of us our share of what is left and we will be content.

"If you are content," said the monkey, "justice is not; the law, my friends, must have it's course."

Upon this he nibbled first one piece and then the other, till the poor cats, seeing their cheese in a fair way to be all eaten up, most humbly begged him not to put himself to any further trouble, to give them what still remained.

"Ha! ha! ha! not so fast, I beseech you, good ladies," said the monkey; "we owe justice to ourselves as well as to you: and what remains is due to me as the lawyer." Upon this he crammed the whole into his mouth at once, and very gravely broke up the court.

This fable teaches us that it is better to put up with a trifling loss, than to run the risk of losing all we have by going to the law.

Dick Whittington And His Cat

There was once a Lord Mayor of London, whose name was Sir Richard Whittington. He rose to that office from being a poor orphan, living in a distant village. Dick was a sharp boy, and was always picking up knowledge from some of the villagers. Dick heard of the great City of London; he often heard it said that the streets were paved all over with gold.

One day seeing a waggon and team of horses on the road to London; he took courage and asked the waggoner to let him walk by his side. Having gained permission, they set off together. When Dick got to London, he was very eager to see the fine streets paved all over with gold, but the poor boy saw nothing but dirt instead of gold, so he crouched down at the door of one Mr. Fitzwarren, a great merchant. Here he was soon found by an ill-tempered cook, who ordered him to go about his business. But just at this moment Mr. Fitzwarren himself came home, and finding that the poor boy was willing to work, he took him into his house, and said that he should be kept to do what dirty work he was able for the cook. The cook was always scolding him from morning till night, and was very cruel to him. Poor Dick had another hardship. His bed was places in a garret where there were great numbers of rats and mice, which ran over his face, and made a great noise. Dick at last bought a cat which was famous for being an excellent mouser.

Soon after this, the merchant, who had a ship ready to sail, asked his servants if they would send any goods abroad. All the servants mentioned something they were willing to venture but poor Whittington, who said he had nothing but a cat which was his companion.

"Fetch thy cat, boy," said Mr. Fitzwarren, "and let her go." Dick hesitated for some time; at last he brought poor Puss, and delivered her to the captain with tears in his eyes. The cook continued to be so cruel to him that the unhappy fellow determined to leave his place. He accordingly packed up his few things, and travelled as far as Holloway, and there sat down on a stone. While he was there musing, Bow-bells began to ring; and it seemed to him that their sound said:

_"Turn again, Whittington,_
_Lord Mayor of London."_

So back went Dick, and got into the house before the cook came down stairs.

The ship with Dick's cat on board happened to be driven by contrary winds on a part of the coast of Barbary, inhabited by Moors, who showed great eagerness to purchase the things with which the ship was laden. The captain seeing this, took patterns of the choicest articles he had to the King of the Moors. While he was showing them to him, dinner was brought in, and at once lots of rats and mice came in and ate up all the dainties. The captain was astonished when the King told him that this often happened. The captain rushed off at once to the ship, and brought Puss to the palace. The second dinner had been brought in, and, as usual, in came the rats and mice; Pussy at the sight of them sprang out of the captain's arms and killed lots of them, and the rest ran off to their holes. The King was greatly pleased with the wonderful Puss, and gave two sackfuls of gold for the cat, and the captain at once sailed for London. When Mr. Fitzwarren heard the news, he ordered Dick Whittington to be called, and showed him all the riches which the captain had brought in exchange for his cat. Dick was now a rich man, and soon after married the merchant's daughter, at the very church whose bells seemed to call him back to London. He grew richer and richer, became Sheriff, and at length Lord Mayor of London.

[Page 156--More Pussy Land]

[Page 157--More Pussy Land]

The White Kitten

My little white kitten's
Asleep on my knee;
As white as snow
Or the lily is she;
She wakes up with a purr
When I stroke her soft fur;
Was there ever another
White kitten like her?

My little white kitten
Now wants to go out
And frolic, with no one
To watch her about:
"Little kitten," I say,
"Just an hour you may stay;
And be careful in choosing
Your places to play."

But night has come down,
And I hear a loud "mew";
I open the door, and my
Kitten comes through;
My white kitten! ah me!
Oh! can it be she--
This sad looking beggar-like
Cat that I see?

What ugly grey marks
On her side and her back!
Her nose, once as pink
As a rosebud, is black!
Oh! I very well know,
Though she does not say so,
She has been where white kittens
Ought never to go.

If little good children
Would wish to do right,
If little white kittens
Would keep themselves white,
It is needful that they
In their houses should stay,
Or be careful in choosing
Their places to play.

Kitty

Pretty little Kitty
Sat upon a stile,
Sang a little ditty
To herself for a while,
Watching how the sparrows--
Seeking grain to eat--
Dart about like arrows
In among the wheat.

Pretty little Kitty
Liked the birds to see!
Though it was a pity
They were wild and free.
So she stopped her singing--
Left the stile forlorn;
And went gaily springing
In among the corn.

Pretty little Kitty
Fond of country things,
Cares not for the city
Where no birdie sings.

[Page 158--More Pussy Land]

Naughty Pussy

"Oh, for shame,
Baby Cat,
Mother's pet
Her cupboard at.

"With a spoon
Eating Jam
Quite ashamed
Of you I am.

"If she comes
And catches you
You'll be punished
Rightly too.

"She will send you
Straight to bed,
With for supper
Plain dry bread."

Little Pussy

I love little Pussy,
Her coat is so warm;
And if I don't tease her,
She'll do me no harm.

I'll not pull her tail,
Nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I
Very gently will play.

She'll be gentle with me,
If I'm gentle with her,
And if I speak kindly,
I know she will purr.

She shall sit by my side,
And I'll give her some food
And Pussy will love me
Because I am good.

It's true, if I tease her,
Her claws she will show;
But Pussy knows well
That I never do so.

Puss and the Crab

"I wonder," says puss,
"If a thing like that
Would presume to bite
A respectable cat?

'Tis the queerest thing
That ever I saw;
I'll hit it a slap
With my strong forepaw.

No! No! On the whole
I had better not;
But what curious claws
The creature has got!

I'll just step up
And quietly ask it
How it got out
Of that market-basket.

I'll play with the animal,
Just to see
If it wants to do
Any harm to me.

No! I thank I had better
Get out of its way,
And I surely am safer
Not even to play.

For I'll get into trouble,
And horribly wail,
If that thing with the claws
Takes a grip on my tail."

Rev. A. Taylor

Little Pussies

Three little pussies,
All in a row,
Ranged on the table,
Two down below.

Five little pussies
Dressed all in silk,
Waiting for sugar,
Waiting for milk.

Dear little pussies,
If you would thrive,
Breakfast at nine o'clock,
Take tea at five.

[Page 159--More Pussy Land]

Puss in the Corner

You are a naughty pussy-cat;
I think it right to mention that
For all who see your picture here--
'Twas you who broke my bunny dear.

An hour ago, as you can tell,
I left him here, alive and well;
And now he's dead, and, what is more
You've broke his leg, I'm pretty sure.

For you, my puss, I'll never care,
No--never, never, never--there!
And you are in disgrace, you know,
And in the corner you must go.

What, crying? Then I must cry too,
And I can't bear to punish you;
Perhaps you've only stunned his head.

And though I'm sure you broke his leg,
It may be mended with a peg;
And though he's very, very funny,
My bunny's not a real bunny;
And I'll forgive and tell you that
You are my precious pussy-cat.

Robert Mack

Tabby

Tabby was a kitten,
Tabby was a thief.
Tabby tried to steal the cream,
And so she came to grief.

Jumping on the table
(Nobody was nigh),
On the pretty cream-jug
Tabby cast her eye:

Wondered what was in it;
Thought she'd like to see;
Crept a little nearer,
Slyly as could be.

Cream was very low down;
Jug was very high;
"Must have some," said Tabby.
"Even if I die!"

Then into the cream-jug
Popped her naughty nose;
Just what happened after,
Only Tabby knows.

This is how we found her,
Naughty little cat!
Did she get a whipping,
Think you, after that?

Tabby was a kitten,
Tabby was a thief,
Tabby tried to steal the cream,
And so she came to grief.

Old Puss

Don't hurt the poor old cat,
There can be no fun in that;
And it would be cruel too--
She never tried to injure you.

She, for years, has kept the house
Free from thievish rat and mouse;
Puss has always faithful been,
And has kept herself so clean.

True, she now is getting old,
Though she once was strong and bold;
At her prey she cannot leap,
And, if caught, can scarcely keep.

Poor old puss! 'Twould be a shame
Thee for uselessness to blame;
When though canst not active be--
Useless through infirmity.

In the Park

I'm a rich little kitten:
I live at my ease,

I keep my own carriage,
I go where I please;

My turn-out is stylish,
I nothing neglect,

And often I notice
That all recollect

That a rich little kitten
Deserves much respect.

[Page 160--More Pussy Land]

The Dead Kitten

Don't talk to me of parties, Nan;
I really cannot go;
When folks are in affliction
They don't go out, you know.
I have a new brown sash, too;
It seems a pity--eh?
That such a dreadful trial
Should have come just yesterday!

The play-house blinds are all pulled down
As dark as it can be;
It looks so very solemn
And so proper, don't you see?
And I have a piece of crape
Pinned on my dolly's hat,
Tom says it is ridiculous
For only just a cat.

But boys are all so horrid!
They always, every one,
Delight in teasing little girls
And kitties, "just for fun."
The way he used to pull her tail--
It makes me angry now--
And scat her up the cherry tree,
To make the darling "meow!"

I've had her all the summer.
One day, away last spring,
I heard a frightful barking,
And I saw the little thing
In the corner of a fence;
'T would have made you laugh outright
To see how every hair stood out,
And how she tried to fight.

I shooed the dog away,
And she jumped upon my arm;
The pretty creature knew
I wouldn't do her any harm;
I hugged her close, and carried her
To mamma, and she said
She should be my own wee kitty,
If I'd see that she was fed.

A cunning little dot she was,
With silky, soft, grey fur;
She'd lie for hours on my lap,
And I could hear her purr;
And then she'd frolic after
When I pulled a string about,
Or try to catch her tail,
Or roll a marble in and out.

Such comfort she has been to me
I'm sure no one could tell,
Unless some other little girl
Who loves her pussy well.
I've heard about a Maltese cross;
But my dear little kit
Was always sweet and amiable,
And never cross a bit!

But oh, last week I missed her!
I hunted all around;
My darling little pussy-cat
Was nowhere to be found.
I knelt and whispered softly,
When nobody could see:
"Take care of little kitty, please,
And bring her back to me."

I found her lying yesterday
Behind the lower shed;
I thought my heart was broken
When I found that she was dead.
Tom promised me another one;
But even he can see
No other kitty ever will be
Just the same to me.

I can't go to your party, Nannie,
Maccaroons, you say?
And ice-cream? I know
I ought to try and not give way;
And I feel it would be doing wrong
To disappoint you so.
Well, if I'm equal to it
By to-morrow, I may go!

Sydney Dayre

The Monkey and the Nuts

A monkey, being fond of nuts,
Thought he would have some roasted;
But how was he to get them done,
Not liking to be toasted?
A poor young cat was passing by,
And innocently watches;
The wicked monkey saw her stop,
And at his victim snatches.

"Dear pussy, you are just the one
That I've been looking out for;
How beautiful you look to-day,
But tell me what you pout for!
Upon my word I long have had
For you a fond affection;
Now you shall stay and dine with me,
Or take some slight refection."

"Twas no use for poor puss to speak,
Or offer to deny him,
The monkey had her in his grasp,
And she could not deny him.
So he began to laugh and chat,
And show a few grimaces;
Oh! if you had but seen, like me,
The contrast of their faces.

He put some nuts into her paw,
And he the fire approaches,
As if a salamander she.
Or made of young cockroaches.
The poor cat now began to squall,
Her face the fire attacking;
And sadly too, her paw was burnt,
The while the nuts were cracking.

The monkey having feasted well
Began to snarl and grumble,
That he should be so taken in
With nuts he scarce could mumble.
"Dear me," he said, "how they are burnt,"
And at poor pussy looking,
"I cannot think how I could bear
Such miserable cooking.

And what a fuss you make about
A little bit of warning;
I've often done the thing myself--
There's nothing so alarming.
Now take this for yourself," he said,
"And next time be less squalling:"
Then gave the cat a hearty cuff,
Which sent the poor thing sprawling.

"Now let me give you this advice,
For I am one of letters:
Leave off your rude, obstreperous way,
When you are with your betters.
And think yourself well off," he said,
"That I had mercy on you;
For many would have sent you home
Without a dress upon you."

Mrs. W. Taylor

[Page 161--More Pussy Land]

My Own Puss

I wish you could just see my cat:
She's a darling, there's no doubt of that:
So soft, and so sleek, and so fat.

Her eyes are a beautiful green,
The brightest that ever were seen:
Of cats she is truly the queen.

She loves to lie stretched in the sun
But as soon as my lessons are done,
She is ready for frolic and fun.

My kitty has two sets of claws,
Tucked away in those velvety paws:
She can use them, too, when there is cause.

I cannot thin what I should do,
If, my pussy, I ever lost you:
We're so happy together, we two!

I call her my bundle of fur:
Hark! now she's beginning to purr:
Kit loves me, and oh, I love her!

The Frolicsome Kitten

Dear kitten, do lie still, I say,
How much I want you to be quiet,
Instead of scampering away,
And always making such a riot.

There, only see! you've torn my frock,
And poor mamma must put a patch in;
I'll give you a right earnest knock,
To cure you of this trick of scratching.

Nay, do not scold your little cat,
She does not know what 'tis you're saying;
And every time you give a pat,
She thinks you mean it all for playing.

But if your pussy understood
The lesson that you want to teach her,
And did not choose to be so good,
She'd be, indeed, a naughty creature.

Putting Kitty to Bed

Kitty, Kitty, go to sleep,
Shut your eyes, and don't you peep.
Sing with me your little song,
We will not make it very long.

Hurry Kitty for to see
Mamma soon will come for me,
And I must see you safe in bed
All covered up except your head.

And while I rock you in my chair,
You must purr your little prayer,
Altho' you say it soft an low,
'Twill all be just the same you know.

Mamma makes me bend my knee,
But Kitty dear, you can't, you see,
For you're too little yet to try--
See! I'm so big, and tall, and high.

And then you can't say any words,
No more than chicks, or little birds.
But I've heard the Bible tell
That even birds are cared for well.