Poor Pussy

t was early morning, near eight of the clock,
And all might hear the milkman's knock,
When a wandering stranger strolled the street,
Well clad in fur, but with nothing to eat.
................................ Poor Pussy!
.
She had passed by the houses of ladies in silk,
But no response to her quest for milk,
And while beginning to feel "dead beat,"
The passers by she would entreat.
............................... Poor Pussy!

No food whate'er could Pussy buy,
And travellers passed her. I'll tell you why:
They thought, of course, "It's only a cat,
And nothing much to be marvelled at."
.................................. Poor Pussy!
.
In vain, dear Puss, was thy appeal,
No hammer could reach those hearts of steel,
And in this world, so full of strife,
A plaintive mew won't save a life.
.................................. Poor Pussy!
.
Ill did it seem thy tabby grace,
The woes of London streets to face,
Cold glances, or a kick for thy fur,
And none to list to thy murmuring purr.
............................. . Poor Pussy!
.
But pussy, strolling down the street,
Chanced a child's kind glance to meet,
And soon her troubles all were passed,
And love and plenty came at last
................................ To Pussy.

From Little Folks (November 1884), A Magazine for the Young