
George Turberville
“The Lover whose Mistresse feared a Mouse, declarath that he would become a Cat if he might have his desire” 1567
IF I might alter kinde,what thinke you I would bée,
What thinke you I would bée,
Nor Fish, nor Foule, nor Fle, nor Frog,
nor Squirrell on the Tree.
The Fish the hooke, the Foule
the lymed twig doth catch,
The Fle the Finger, and the Frog
the Bussard doth dipatch.
The Squirrell thincking nought
that feately cracks the Nut,
The gréedie Gashauke wanting pray
in dread of death doth put.
But scorning all these kindes
I would become a Cat,
To combat with the créeping Mouse
and scratch the scréeking Rat.
I would be present aye
and at my Ladies call,
To gard hir from the fearefull Mouse
in Parlour and in Hall.
In Kitching for his life
he should not shew his hed,
The Peare in Poke should lie untoucht
when shée were gone to bed.
The Mouse should stand in feare,
so should the squeaking Rat:
All this would I doe if I were
converted to a Cat.