Page:The fireside sphinx.djvu/320

 288 fine tribute to the memory of Tom of Corpus, a cat who died full of years and honours, widely known and deeply lamented.

"The Junior Fellow's vows were said;

Among his co-mates and their Head

His place was fairly set.

Of welcome from friends old and new

Full dues he had, and more than due;

What could be lacking yet?

"One said, 'The Senior Fellow's vote!'

The Senior Fellow, black of coat,

Save where his front was white,

Arose and sniffed the stranger's shoes

With critic nose, as ancients use

To judge mankind aright.

"I—for 't was I who tell the tale —

Conscious of fortune's trembling scale,

Awaited the decree;

But Tom had judged: 'He loves our race,'

And, as to his ancestral place,

He leapt upon my knee.

"Thenceforth in common-room and hall,

A verus socius known to all,

I came and went and sat,

Far from cross fate or envy's reach;

For none a title could impeach

Accepted by a cat.

"While statutes changed, and freshmen came,

His gait, his wisdom were the same,

His age no more than mellow;