 | Puss in boots, and the Marquis of Carabas |  |
36
PLATE X.
“They tell me, sir,” resumed the cat,
“With ease you take this shape or that;
Now, though at times, even I have dared
To dabble in the magic art,
Though witches have my converse shared,
And I've defied Death's frequent dart,
I own such wonders seem to me,
Beyond the power of glamourie.”
“With ease you take this shape or that;
Now, though at times, even I have dared
To dabble in the magic art,
Though witches have my converse shared,
And I've defied Death's frequent dart,
I own such wonders seem to me,
Beyond the power of glamourie.”
He scarce had spoke, when o'er him towered
A monstrous elephant! He cowered
In terror back, but said politely,
“Sir, if you please, resume your form,
I understand the case now rightly,
You're rather close, the room is warm!”
At once, within his arm-chair, sat
The man of magic by the cat.
A monstrous elephant! He cowered
In terror back, but said politely,
“Sir, if you please, resume your form,
I understand the case now rightly,
You're rather close, the room is warm!”
37
The man of magic by the cat.
“Bravo!” the latter cried—“'t is well!
But there is still a stranger spell,
By which an artist, whom I knew,
Could take the smallest shapes—can you?”
And ere the question bold was said,
A mouse leaped lightly o'er his head!
But there is still a stranger spell,
By which an artist, whom I knew,
Could take the smallest shapes—can you?”
And ere the question bold was said,
A mouse leaped lightly o'er his head!
The cat gave chase—o'er scull and scroll,
O'er books and bones the enchanter stole;
He strove the spell-word to recall,
That would his spirit disenthrall;
In vain; for in that fatal strife,
Fear, rage, revenge so wildly raved,
They stifled memory's voice; and life
Was lost, that but a word had saved;
Just as it burned before his vision,
Puss caught, and eat, the great magician!
O'er books and bones the enchanter stole;
He strove the spell-word to recall,
That would his spirit disenthrall;
In vain; for in that fatal strife,
Fear, rage, revenge so wildly raved,
They stifled memory's voice; and life
Was lost, that but a word had saved;
Just as it burned before his vision,
Puss caught, and eat, the great magician!
| Puss in boots, and the Marquis of Carabas | |