THE OLD BALLAD

DICK WHITTINGTON

MERCHANT, once upon a time, who had great store of
gold,
Among his household placed a youth sore pinch'd by want and cold:
No father or no mother watch’d with love o'er this poor boy,
Whose dearest treasure was a Cat, his pet and only joy,
‘That came to him beseechingly when death was at the door,
And kindly to relieve her wants he shared ‘his little store.
A. grateful Cat! no mice might live where she put up to dwell,
And Whittington could calmly sleep, while Puss watched o'er his
cell,

That once oerran with vermin so, no rest had he by night,

Placed in this garret vile to please a cruel woman’s spite.

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