Ode On The Death Of A Favourite Cat Drowned In A Tub Of Goldfishes Poem by Thomas Gray

Ode On The Death Of A Favourite Cat Drowned In A Tub Of Goldfishes

Rating: 3.6


'Twas on a lofty vase's side,
Where China's gayest art had dy'd
The azure flow'rs that blow;
Demurest of the tabby kind,
The pensive Selima, reclin'd,
Gazed on the lake below.

Her conscious tail her joy declar'd;
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 gaz'd; but 'midst the tide
Two angel forms were seen to glide,
The Genii of the stream;
Their scaly armour'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 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 tempts your wand'ring eyes
And heedless hearts is lawful prize,
Nor all, that glisters, gold.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Craig Paterson 21 October 2018

Choice of words/descriptions, although humerous, are brilliant.

0 0 Reply
Sylvia 21 November 2017

This poem is, to me, a heartbreaker. I have loved all cats my whole life., as did my entire family.

1 0 Reply
Hope Dyer 09 June 2005

Okay, i need a little help here. I'm writing an oral for my year 10 lit class at Geelong Grammar and i'm having a hard time deciphering it. Any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks

5 1 Reply
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Thomas Gray

Thomas Gray

London / England
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