Or friend--or foe? They long’d to know, Yet durst not venture near: Till soon the boat was all afloat, And off to lay their fear.
Afront were seen a king and queen, Whom all the rest obey’d: And all the good things of the land Belong’d to them, ’twas said.
Which when the captain heard, and how They had an ample hoard, Their companie requested he To dine with him on board.
Now, wafted o’er the azure lake, The king and eke his queen, Behold them seated on the deck: The captain sat between.
[Sidenote: Puss salutes his Majesty after European fashion.]
But ere the dinner it was served, While yawn’d the king for meat, Just to divert the royal mind, Puss rubb’d against his feet.
Now you must know the royal toe It ticklish was to touch: But Puss rubb’d he so daintily, The king he liked it much.
Then to his bride he spake aside, And e’en was speaking yet, When lo!--the platter came,--whereat The rest he did forget.
Now both did eat their fill of meat, As suiteth royalty: No lack was there of the ship’s best fare, And grog flow’d copiously.
And both did quaff, and both did laugh, And both sang merrily: Till Puss could stay no more away, But came to join the glee.
His tail he whisk’d, and leapt and frisk’d, As he was wont before: Whereat the king and eke the queen For very mirth did roar.
Then up he gat, and sware an oath-- That, for so droll a thing, In barter, of his choicest goods A shipload he would bring.
Thereat the captain--“Done,” he cried “A bargain by my fay!” And sent his whole ship’s-company To fetch the goods away.
Now laugh’d the king and laugh’d the Queen, And laugh’d the captain he: A bargain struck at festive board Doth please so mightily.
The goods were brought, the ship was fraught, And stow’d away full tight. The king and queen, they drank till e’en, And slept on board that night.
The captain rose at early dawn And call’d to th’ king anon: “This cat is thine, this cargo’s mine; And now I must begone.”
The king awoke and waked the queen, Who slept so heavily, That full ten minutes pass’d away, Before that she could see.
Then clasping Puss within her arms She nursed him like a child. The king his humour now was sad; Nathless the monarch smiled.
[Sidenote: The king and queen depart with puss.]