Ce ae)

‘Ah!’ thinks Pussy-cat, ‘now is my chance ;
Won't I lead him a terrible dance !

Oh, oh! how can he be such a flat,
Of all things to change into a mouse?
He forgets who is guest at his house.

I will turn him right soon into cat.’
Then he drinks and he shrinks fore and aft,
Having placed on the floor a good draught,

To restore his great bulk in a minute.
But he suddenly feels in a quake,
And discovers he’s made a mistake,

And fears there may be mischief in it ;
For Miss Puss without boots now was seen
With a spring place herself just between

The Ogre and his wondrous cup ;
Her green eyes, to his terror, dart fire,
And he feels ev’ry bristle perspire.

Is her wish now to gobble him up?
‘And pray, miss, what shall be our next change ?
Only nature can limit my range.

Shall I turn to a fish or a bird ?”
Pussy made a fresh spring, and he thought,
‘ Ah, that time I was very nigh caught !

Her behaviour is really absurd.
I must beg of you, miss, to be calm,
Or you'll do me some bodily harm.

My revenge you will have to regret,
For I never an insult forgive:
And you'll find that as long as I live

That I never forgive or forget.’
But all hope soon is turned into doubt,
As his guest hunts him all round about.

He is thirsty, and can’t get a drink,