Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ODE ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE CAT, DROWNED IN A TUB, by THOMAS GRAY


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ODE ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE CAT, DROWNED IN A TUB, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas on a lofty vase's side
Last Line: Nor all, that glisters, gold.
Variant Title(s): Ode On The Death Of A Favourite Cat, Drowned In A Tub Of Gold Fishes;gray's Elegy On Horace Walpole's Cat;on The Death Of A Favourite Cat;on A Favorite Cat Drowned In A Tub Of Goldfishes
Subject(s): Animals; Cats; Death; Death - Animals; Goldfish; Mourning; Dead, The; Bereavement


'Twas on a lofty vase's side,
Where China's gayest art had dyed
The azure flowers that blow;
Demurest of the tabby kind,
The pensive Selima reclined,
Gazed on the lake below.

Her conscious tail her joy declared;
The fair round face, the snowy beard,
The velvet of her paws,
Her coat, that with the tortoise vies,
Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes,
She saw; and purr'd applause.

Still had she gazed; but 'midst the tide
Two angel forms were seen to glide,
The Genii of the stream;
Their scaly armor's Tyrian hue
Thro' richest purple to the view
Betray'd a golden gleam.

The hapless Nymph 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 looks intent
Again she stretch'd, again she bent,
Nor knew the gulf between.
(Malignant Fate sat by, and smil'd)
The slipp'ry verge her feet beguil'd,
She tumbled headlong in.

Eight times emerging from the flood
She mew'd to ev'ry watry 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 retiev'd,
And be with caution bold.
Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes
And heedless hearts, is lawful prize;
Nor all, that glisters, gold.




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