Cat

The fat cat on the mat  may seem to dreamof nice mice that suffice  for him, or cream;
but he free, maybe,  walks in thoughtunbowed, proud, where loud  roared and foughthis kin, lean and slim,  or deep in denin the East feasted on beasts  and tender men.

The giant lion with iron  claw in paw,
and huge ruthless tooth  in gory jaw;
the pard dark-starred,  fleet upon feet,
that oft soft from aloft  leaps upon his meatwhere 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.