The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil Page 13

12 THE 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 paid dark-starred,

fleet upon feet,

that oft soft from aloft

leaps on 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.