THE SEA-PUSS.

THE ocean-cats flirted their fluffy white tails, And flecked with salt dewdrops the fisherman’s sails, And the noise of their fighting flew over the foam, Till the mother, leagues off, in the fisherman’s home, As she watched o’er her little ones, cried: “Listen! how The sea-puss is screeching! Just hear her me-ow!” When the ocean-cats shake their fluffy white tails, The fisherman trembles and takes in his sails, And when on his ear strike their menacing cries, Before them the bravest of fishermen flies; And he says to his children: “I came home just now, For the sea-puss was angry—I heard her me-ow!” So, when the waves whiten, the children’s hearts quail, And, “Mother,” they say, “there’s a sea-pussy’s tail!” For they know, if the ocean-cats sport on the foam, Their father may never get back to his home; And a cloud darkens even the baby’s bright brow, When they shout: “There’s the sea-puss! Just hear her me-ow!”