WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR’S FAVORITE CAT, CHINCHINILLO.
Reading edition
Addressed to His Child, Carlino.
DOES Chinchinillo follow thee about? Inverting one swart foot suspensively And wagging his dread jaw at every chirp Of bird above him on the olive branch? Frighten him then away! ’Twas he who slew Our pigeons, our white pigeons peacock-tailed, That feared not you and me—alas nor him! I flattened his striped sides along my knee, And reasoned with him on his bloody mind, Till he looked blandly and half-closed eyes To ponder on my lecture in the shade. I doubt his memory much, his heart a little, And in some minor matters (may I say it?) Could wish him rather sager.