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.