Мой котик звался Тай Том Тим –
На рынок я поехал с ним,
Пригладил спинку и живот
И написал: "Домашний кот –
Погибель крысам и мышам.
Два фунта. Дешево отдам."
Мы сторговались за полдня,
И тут он глянул на меня –
В его глазах прочел я вдруг,
Что я предатель, а не друг,
Мне стало совестно до слез,
И я кота домой привез.
***
Charles CAUSLEY
I Had A Little Cat
I had a little cat called Tim Tom Tay,
I took him to town on market day,
I combed his whiskers, I brushed his tail,
I wrote on a label, 'Cat for Sale.
Knows how to deal with rats and mice
Two pounds fifty. Bargain price.’
But when the people came to buy
I saw such a look in Tim Tom's eye
That it was clear as clear could be
I couldn't sell Tim for a fortune's fee
I was shamed and sorry, I'll tell you plain,
And I took home Tim Tom Tay again.