A Cat + 

She had a name among the children; + 

But no one loved though someone owned + 

Her, locked her out of doors at bedtime + 

And had her kittens duly drowned. + 

In Spring, nevertheless, this cat + 

Ate blackbirds, thrushes, nightingales, + 

And birds of bright voice and plume and flight, + 

As well as scraps from neighbours’ pails. + 

I loathed and hated her for this; + 

One speckle on a thrush’s breast + 

Was worth a million such; and yet + 

She lived long, till God gave her rest. + 