the cat - World eBook Library

THE CAT=
The Cat of Great Britain
The Cat is surely most like to the Leoparde,
and hathe a great mouthe, and sharp teeth, and a
long tongue, plyante, thin and subtle. He lap-
peth therewith when he drinketh, as other beastes
do that have the nether lip shorter than the over
for, by cause of unevenness of lips, such beastes
suck not in drinking, but lap and lick, as Aristotle
saith, and Plinius also. He is a swifte and merye
beaste in youthe, and leapeth, and riseth on all
things that are tofore him, and is led by a straw,
and playeth therewith; and he is a righte heavye
beaste in age, and full sleepye, and lyeth slyly in
waite for Mice, and is ware where they bene more
by smell than by sighte, and hunteth, and riseth on
them in privy places. And when he taketh a
Mouse, he playeth therewith, and eateth him after
the play. He is a cruell beaste when he is wilde,
and dwelleth in woods, and hunteth there small
beastes as conies and hares.
Translated from the Latin by Thomas Berthlet.
Printed by Wynkyn de Worde. 1498.
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