ld he turn,
Though no flood would extinguish, no fire would burn,
No crab-stick would give Mr. Bow-wow a blow,
Nor would he compel the pig forward to go.
Then kindling with rage Piggy's mistress cried out,
"Oh! here comes a man, he'll avenge me no doubt."

[Illustration]

So once more relating her pitiful story,
She said, "In the death of that ox I should glory:
"Now therefore, good butcher, the animal kill;
"I'll thank you, I'll bless you; indeed, Sir, I will."
The butcher, however, continued his way,
Without even deigning one sentence to say.
Goody trembled with rage; yet she ventured to hope
A friend was at hand, when she saw a new rope.

[Illustration]

So now with clasp'd hands, mournful voice, and bent knees,
She said, "Hang that butcher, good rope, if you please;
"For, though 'tis his lawful vocation each day,
"An ox the barbarian refuses to slay."
She paused for an answer; but hard was her lot,
No help, nor a word of reply could be got.

[Illustration]

A veteran rat at this moment drew near,
And quietly stood her entreaties to hear.
So curtseying low,--"I entreat," said the dame,
"By your grandfather's beard and your grandmother's fame,
"By the conquests your father and uncles have won,
"And the deeds which both you and your brethren have done,
"That your worship will not disappoint my fond hope,
"But graciously gnaw and destroy yonder rope,
"Which, spite of a moving and melting harangue,
"Refuses that obstinate butcher to hang."
But ah! in the rat no assistance was found,
And Goody's last hope seemed to fall to the ground.

[Illustration]

But now kind dame Fortune at length interfered,
And a fierce-looking cat in a moment appear'd;
A cat which was hungry, and ready to slay,
For supper, whatever might come in his way.
No sooner had, therefore, old Goody repeated
The slights with which all her petitions were treated,
Than Mr. Grimalkin, espousing her cause,
Seiz'd the ill-natured rat in his terrible claws;
"O spare me!" he squeaked, "and the rope I'll destroy;"
But when he began his sharp teeth to employ,
The rope to hang up the cross butcher prepar'd;
And the butcher, that moment, most terribly scar'd,
At the head of the ox aim'd a death-giving blow;
But submission is better than death we all know: