A POETICAL EPISTLE TO SIR WM. BENNET, My trembling muse your honour does address, The muse folds up her wings, and dying-justice owns. 1 This little piece is presumed to be the earliest of Thomson's poems that has been preserved; probably written before he was fifteen. 2 Elizabeth, the heroine of these juvenile lines, was Thomson's second and favourite sister. When Lisy and her bosom Cat must part: For now to school and pensive needle doomed, With her grey comrade, which has often soothed But see where mournful Puss, advancing stood With outstretched tail, casts looks of anxious woe On melting Lisy, in whose eye the tear Stood tremulous, and thus would fain have said, I loathe the thoughts of life: " thus plained the Cat, These anxious thoughts that in her mind revolved, And mewing, thus began :-"O Cat beloved! Thou dear companion of my tender years! Joy of my youth! that oft hast licked my hands How harshly will the softest muslin feel, Have your sleek skin to soothe my softened sense! Part from my soul, and when I first can mark |