3. She starts, she stops, she pants for breath;
She hears the near advance of death;
She doubles to mislead the hound,
And measures back her mazy round;
Till, fainting in the public way,
Half dead with fear, she gasping lay.
4. What transport in her bosom grew,
When first the horse appeared in view!
"Let me," says she, "your back ascend,
And owe my safety to a friend.
You know my feet betray my flight,--
To friendship every burden's light."
5. The horse replied:--"Poor honest puss,
It grieves my heart to see thee thus.
Be comforted,--relief is near;
For all your friends are in the rear."
6. She next the stately bull implored;
And thus replied the mighty lord:--
"Since every beast alive can tell
That I sincerely wish you well,
I may, without offense, pretend
To take the freedom of a friend.
Love calls me hence; a favorite cow
Expects me near yon barley-mow;
And when a lady's in the case,
You know all other things give place.
To leave you thus might seem unkind;
But see,--the goat is just behind.
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