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On a female Cat, named Selima, who fell into a China Cistern with Gold Fishes in it, and was drown'd.
  
  
  
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248

On a female Cat, named Selima, who fell into a China Cistern with Gold Fishes in it, and was drown'd.

By Mr D. Grey.
'Twas on a lofty Vase's side,
Where China's gayest Art had dy'd
The Azure Flowers that blow,
Demurest of the Tabby Kind,
The pensive Selima reclin'd,
Gaz'd on the Lake below.
Her conscious Tail, her Joy declar'd,
Her fair round Face, her snowy Beard,
The Velvet of her Paws;
Her Coat that with the Tortoise vies,
Her Ears of Jet, her Em'rald Eyes,
She saw, and purr'd Applause.
Still had she gaz'd, but midst the Tide,
Two Angel Forms were seen to glide,

249

The Genii of the Stream;
Their scaly Armour's tyrian Hue,
Thro' richest Purple, to the View,
Betray'd a golden Gleam.
The hapless Maid with Wonder saw,
A Whisker first, and then a Claw,
With many an ardent Wish;
She stretch'd in vain to reach the Prize,
What female Heart can Gold despise?
What Cat's averse to Fish?
Presumptuous Maid, with Eyes intent,
Again she stretch'd, again she bent,
Nor saw the Gulph between;
Malignant Fates sate by and smil'd,
The slipp'ry Verge her feet beguil'd,
She tumbled headlong in!

250

Eight Times emerging from the Flood,
She call'd on ev'ry wat'ry God,
Some speedy Aid to send;
No Dolphin came, no Nereid stirr'd,
Nor cruel Tom, nor Susan heard:
A Fav'rite has no Friend.
From hence ye Beauties, undeceiv'd,
Know one false Step is ne'er retriev'd,
And be with Caution bold;
Not all that strike the wand'ring Eyes,
And heedless Heart, is lawful Prize,
Not all that glisters Gold.