JORTIN’S EPITAPH ON HIS CAT_The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3) or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac

_Imitated in English_

Worn out with age and dire disease, a cat,

Friendly to all, save wicked mouse and rat:

I’m sent at last to ford the Stygian lake,

And to the infernal coast a voyage make.

Me PROSERPINE receiv’d, and smiling said,

“Be bless’d within these mansions of the dead;

Enjoy among thy velvet-footed loves,

Elysium’s sunny banks and shady groves.”

“But if I’ve well deserv’d, (O gracious queen,)

If patient under sufferings I have been,

Grant me at least one night to visit home again

Once more to see my home, and mistress dear,

And purr these grateful accents in her ear.

Thy faithful cat, thy poor departed slave,

Still loves her mistress ev’n beyond the grave.”[256]

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The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3) or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac · 第 616 / 982 题