Heart, not so heavy as mine — Night Cat

Heart, not so heavy as mine ¹
Wending late home－
As it passed my window
Whistled itself a tune－
A careless snatch－a ballad－⁵
A ditty of the street－
Yet to my irritated Ear
An Anodyne so sweet－
It was as if a Bobolink ⁹
Sauntering this way
Carolled, and paused, and carolled－
Then bubbled slow away!
It was as if a chirping brook ¹³
Upon a dusty way－
Set bleeding feet to minuets
Without the knowing why!
Tomorrow, night will come again－¹⁷
Perhaps, weary and sore－
Ah Bugle! By my window
I pray you pass once more.

(F.88/J.83)

[1, 4] Heart, Whistled itself:: the mood of a cat.
[9–16] as if a Bobolink, chirping brook:: description of the cat's murmuring.
[17] night:: a hint on night cat.
[19] Bugle:: caterwauling of a cat.

Crosus (that was the cat's name) did not now what to make of it. . . . gave vent to such a tremendous M-I-A-U, that all the children started , and little Minnie screamed and said, "My! what a bad night cat." ─ The New Night-caps (1862);