Cat

The fat cat on the mat

 may seem to dream

of nice mice that suffice

 for him, or cream;

but he free, maybe,

 walks in thought

unbowed, proud, where loud

 roared and fought

his kin, lean and slim,

 or deep in den

in the East feasted on beasts

 and tender men.

The giant lion with iron

 claw in paw,

and huge ruthless tooth

 in gory jaw;

the pard dark-starred,

 fleet upon feet,

that oft soft from aloft

 leaps upon his meat

where woods loom in gloom —

 far now they be,

 fierce and free,

 and tamed is he;

but fat cat on the mat

 kept as a pet

 he does not forget.