FINIS. To the Superior Animal
FINIS. To the Superior Animal
Original Text
A. L. Waring, Hymns and Meditations, new edn. (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1911): 20-21. 04430.a.1 British Library
1To sum up all, I'm old -- and that's
2 A fact the years decide;
3It is a common thing with cats
4 And not a thing to hide.
5But to feel what it is -- how kind
6 How true to love and law
7For this you must be quite resigned
8 And not avoid its paw.
9It does not come as reckless foe
10 A shrinking prey to take,
11But with soft footstep that we know
12 By comfort in its wake.
13Though it spoils something -- that is true,
14 Which we must learn to lack
15And takes alike from me and you
16 What never does come back.
17It caters for our failing strength
18 In many a dainty scrap,
19And gently lays us at our length
20 In some secluded lap.
21It may bless you -- (I think it should)
22 Beyond what I make out,
23With things perhaps too great and good
24 For cats to talk about.
25Since I find in it blessing free
26 From all it can destroy,
27And so its progress is to me
28 A miracle of joy.
29But my look out to occupy
30 And make the most of that.
31You must be quite as old as I,
32 If not yourself a Cat!
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 2001
Rhyme