Page:Letters of Life.djvu/178

166 scorn, her better nature dareth not fully to unfolde itself.

But look ye, my masters, ye catte hath some good qualities, which I shall endeavour to sette forth. I ask ye if she be not useful. Would not ye mice and rattes despoil all ye storehouses in ye land, were it not for her? I know that some do laude ye terrier dogge. Yet he is too oft a lazy tyke, waiting for the prey to be caught in traps and laid before his jawes. Moreover, he eateth more than the vermin he professeth to destroye.

Not only is ye despised catte useful, but accomplished. She hath a natural taste for musicke, and great compasse of voice. How lulling are her tones when she purreth, sitting on the knee of a friend! How sweetly and tenderly speaketh she to her young offspring! Her more passionate strains in ye nightly serenade are wonderful. A powerful counter might she sing, if trained in a choir. Yet what payment getteth she for her concerts? I grieve to say that brick-battes and boote-jackes are hurled at her head, with evil wishes and cursing words too vile to repeat.

Ye catte cometh of a high familie. This is wont to have weight with mannekinde, and womankinde also. To be only a cousin of my Lord Duke, causeth ye stupide to be runne after.

But look you, ye catte hath ye greate, grande tiger, and ye kingly lion, for her neare relations. She