Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VERSES ON A CAT by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: A CAT IN DISTRESS
Last Line: TO MAKE THEM HOLD THEIR JAW!
Subject(s): ANIMALS; CATS;
I

A CAT in distress,
Nothing more, nor less;
Good folks, I must faithfully tell ye,
As I am a sinner,
It waits for some dinner
To stuff out its own little belly.

II

You would not easily guess
All the modes of distress
Which torture the tenants of earth;
And the various evils,
Which like so many devils,
Attend the poor souls from their birth.

III

Some a living require,
And others desire
An old fellow out of the way;
And which is the best
I leave to be guessed,
For I cannot pretend to say.

IV

One wants society,
Another variety,
Others a tranquil life;
Some want food,
Others, as good,
Only want a wife.

V

But this poor little cat
Only wanted a rat,
To stuff out its own little maw;
And it were as good
@3Some@1 people had such food,
To make them @3hold their jaw!@1



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