Out for an airing (1881)

Out for an airing 1881 illustration

Of lady-like cats the sleek Tabby is best,
So gently she purred and so nicely she dressed!
By cats and by dogs it was always allowed
That Tabby was pretty, but Tabby was proud;
And Carlo, the dog, would often declare
That Tabby and he were an elegant pair!
They'll sit on the hearth-rug and pleasantly talk
Or out for an airing together they'll walk.
On gentlemen cats will proud Tabby look down;
On all little dogs Mister Carlo will frown.
Now Carlo seems happy, and Tabby, so sly,
With smiles on her lips and a tear in her eye,
Says Carlo one day to a terrier bowed,
O Tabby! you want to make Carlo too proud!

Location: Robinson Crusoe, The Clever Cats & Co. (1881) London: Thomas Nelson and Sons. Parker Collection AQ087.1/1881

Read about the Parker collection

rating button