| 175 |
Lat take a cat, and fostre hym wel with milk, |
| And tendre flessh, and make his couche of silk, |
| And lat hym seen a mous go by the wal, |
| Anon he weyveth milk and flessh and al, |
| And every deyntee that is in that hous, |
| 180 | Swich appetit he hath to ete a mous. |
| Lo, heere hath lust his dominacioun, |
| And appetit fleemeth discrecioun. |
|
| 175 |
Or take a cat, and feed him well with milk |
| And tender flesh, and make his bed of silk, |
| And let him see a mouse go by the wall; |
| At once he leaves the milk and flesh and all |
| And every dainty that is in that house, |
| 180 | Such appetite has he to eat a mouse. |
| Desire has here its mighty power shown, |
| And inborn appetite reclaims its own. |
|
