( %-)

And Puss always delivered a card,
‘With the Marquis of Carrebas’s regard,’
Till the King for his company sought.
Now there lived in the forest-lands near
An old Ogre, whom all dread and fear,
Who for dinner consumed half a sheep.
Many men he had ate in his time ;
Plump young children he thought really prime ;
He delighted to make mothers weep.
Many tales of this wretch Puss had heard,
And one day she declared, ‘On my word,
I this monster to see should be pleased,
But I'll not go till dinner’s quite done ;
As an entrée to serve were poor fun.
So Pll wait till his hunger’s appeased.’
Now the Ogre owned lands all around,
Yet the King ventured not on his ground,
For intruders were had into meals.
He just ate up all those who might stray,
So but few cared to pass by that way ;
Folks disliked hanging up by their heels.
But our Pussy-cat being courageous,
Has resolved that such doing outrageous
Shall be stopped at the risk of her life.
But Eat-a-cat ever regarding,
She politely first tenders her card in—
She would conquer by peace before strife.
The Ogre o’er his wine was dozing,
But his eyes, which were rapidly closing,
Opened wide when his strange guest appeared.
For the sight of a cat that could talk,
And in top-boots and crinoline walk,
Made him laugh till he actually cheered ;