| '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, reclin'd, | 5 |
| 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, | 10 |
| 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; | 15 |
| Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue | |
| Through richest purple, to the view | |
| Betray'd a golden gleam. | |
| |
| The hapless Nymph with wonder saw: | |
| A whisker first, and then a claw | 20 |
| 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 | 25 |
| Again she stretch'd, again she bent, | |
| Nor knew the gulf between— | |
| Malignant Fate sat by and smiled— | |
| The slippery verge her feet beguiled; | |
| She tumbled headlong in! | 30 |
| |
| Eight times emerging from the flood | |
| She mew'd to every watery god | |
| Some speedy aid to send:— | |
| No Dolphin came, no Nereid stirr'd, | |
| Nor cruel Tom nor Susan heard— | 35 |
| A favourite 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 wandering eyes | 40 |
| And heedless hearts is lawful prize, | |
| Nor all that glisters gold! | |
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