Twas on a lofty vase's side, <br />Where China's gayest art had dyed <br />The azure flowers that blow; <br />Demurest of the tabby kind, <br />The pensive Selima, reclined, <br />Gazed on the lake below. <br /> <br />Her conscious tail her joy declared; <br />The fair round face, the snowy beard, <br />The velvet of her paws, <br />Her coat, that with the tortoise vies, <br />Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes, <br />She saw; and purred applause. <br /> <br />Still had she gazed; but 'midst the tide <br />Two angel forms were seen to glide, <br />The genii of the stream: <br />Their scaly armor's Tyrian hue <br />Through richest purple to the view <br />Betrayed a golden gleam. <br /> <br />The hapless nymph with wonder saw: <br />A whisker first and then a claw, <br />With many an ardent wish, <br />She stretched in vain to reach the prize. <br />What female heart can gold despise? <br />What cat's averse to fish? <br /> <br />Presumptuous maid! with looks intent <br />Again she stretched, again she bent, <br />Nor knew the gulf between. <br />(Malignant Fate sat by and smiled) <br />The slippery verge her feet beguiled, <br />She tumbled headlong in. <br /> <br />Eight times emerging from the flood <br />She mewed to every watery god, <br />Some speedy aid to send. <br />No dolphin came, no Nereid stirred; <br />Nor cruel Tom, nor Susan heard; <br />A favorite has no friend! <br /> <br />From hence, ye beauties, undeceived, <br />Know, one false step is ne'er retrieved, <br />And be with caution bold. <br />Not all that tempts your wandering eyes <br />And heedless hearts, is lawful prize; <br />Nor all that glisters, gold.<br /><br />Thomas Gray<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-on-the-death-of-a-favorite-cat/
