Poems and Translations :: :: University of Virginia Library

A hapless Youth, whom Fates averse had drove
To a strange Passion, and prepost'rous Love,
Long'd to possess his Puss's spotted Charms,
And hug the Tabby Beauty in his Arms.
To what odd Whimsies Love inveigles Men?
Sure if the Boy was ever blind, 'twas Then.
Rack'd with his Passion, and in deep despair,
The Youth to Venus thus addrest his Pray'r.

168

O Queen of Beauty, since thy Cupid's Dart
Has fir'd my Soul and rankles in my Heart;
Since doom'd to burn in this unhappy Flame,
From Thee at least a Remedy I claim;
If once to bless Pigmalion's longing Arms,
The Marble soften'd into living Charms;
And warm with Life the purple Current ran
In circling Streams thro' every flinty Vein,
If with his own creating Hands display'd,
He hugg'd the Statue, and embrac'd a Maid;
And with the breathing Image fir'd his Heart,
The Pride of Nature, and the Boast of Art:
Hear my Request, and crown my wondrous Flame,
The same its Nature, be thy Gift the same;
Give Me the like unusual Joys to prove,
And, tho' irregular, indulge my Love.

169

Delighted Venus heard the moving Pray'r,
And soon resolv'd to ease the Lover's Care,
To set Miss Tabby off with every Grace,
To dress, and fit her for the Youth's Embrace.

Now she by gradual Change her Form forsook,
First her round Face an Oval Figure took;
The roguish Dimples next his Heart beguile,
And each grave Whisker soften'd to a Smile;
Unusual Ogles wanton'd in her Eye,
Her solemn Purring dwindled to a Sigh:
Sudden, a huge Hoop-Petticoat display'd,
A wide Circumference! intrench'd the Maid,
And for the Tail in waving Circles play'd.
Her Fur, as destin'd still her Charms to deck,
Made for her Hands a Muff, a Tippet for her Neck.

170

In the fine Lady now her Shape was lost,
And by such strange Degrees she grew a Toast;
Was all for Ombre now; and who but She,
To talk of Modes and Scandal o'er her Tea;
To settle every Fashion of the Sex,
And run thro' all the Female Politicks;
To spend her time at Toilet and Basset,
To play, to flaunt, to flutter and coquet:
From a grave thinking Mouser, she was grown
The gayest Flirt that coach'd it round the Town.

But see how often some intruding Woe,
Nips all our blooming Prospects at a blow?
For as the Youth his lovely Consort led
To the dear Pleasures of the Nuptial Bed,
Just on that instant from an inner House,
Into the Chamber popt a heedless Mouse.

171

Miss Tabby saw, and brooking no delay,
Sprung from the Sheets, and seiz'd the trembling Prey:
Nor did the Bride, in that ill-fated Hour,
Reflect that all her Mousing-Days were o'er.
The Youth astonish'd, felt a new Despair,
Ixion-like he grasp'd, and grasp'd but Air;
He saw his Vows and Pray'rs in vain bestow'd,
And lost the Jilting Goddess in a Cloud.