Selected Poetry.

Western Star, Issue 983, 19 September 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

Selected Poetry.

a THE HERMIT AND HIS CAT. A LESSON OF CONTENTMENT. There lived a hermit once—his name to me Has not come down—who left the world and all The world’s good things; nor in his cell had he One good thing, save a cat, his own to call. And oft he played with it, and in his lap Would cushion tenderly, and all his care (Devotions o’er) to see that no mishap Befel his favourite. On lonlen fare I warrant Tabby Thomas was not fed j And such affection grew between the pair That the fond beast, if but his master led In his loved steps, would follow everywhere. One day he prayed—a foolish prayer to pray — That to him, living yet, might be revealed To what saint’s joys he’d come upon that day When in death sleep his eyes at last were sealed. Then was St Gregory revealed, and joy Such as that saint enjoyed was shown him. Sure No gladness comes to men without alloy; For now our hermit sighed that ho was poor, St Gregory, Abbot Prfotor, Pope, alive Enjoyed consideration, rank, and state. And dead—what he would ne’er howe’er he’d strive— Walked nimbus-circled inside Heaven’s gate. But whilst beneath his poverty he chafed. Till even his cat, neglected, fawned in vain. Another revelation was vouchsafed, Restoring him to peace of mind again. Wherein it was commanded him to be Content, as suiting best with his soul s health ; For that more pleasure in his cat had he Than had St Gregory in all his wealth ! Then prayed the hermit, that he might indeed Have merit and reward as had that saint; ii Great moral lurks in this same tale, who read May they perceive it,” ends this legend quaint. Mbs 0. JOBLING .