12 THE CAT


    The fat cat on the mat


    may seem to dream


    of nice mice that suffice


    for him, or cream;


    but he free, maybe,


    walks in thought


    unbowed, proud, where loud


    roared and fought


    his kin, lean and slim,


    or deep in den


    in the East feasted on beasts


    and tender men.


    The giant lion with iron


    claw in paw,


    and huge ruthless tooth


    in gory jaw;


    the paid dark-starred,


    fleet upon feet,


    that oft soft from aloft


    leaps on his meat


    where woods loom in gloom-


    far now they be,


    fierce and free,


    and tamed is he;


    but fat cat on the mat


    kept as a pet,


    he does not forget.