If God so favour me,
I will not prove unkind;
London my love shall see,
And my large bounties find."
But, see his happy chance!
This scullion had a cat,
Which did his state advance,
And by it wealth he gat.
His master ventur'd forth,
To a land far unknown,
With merchandize of worth,
As is in stories shown:
Whittington had no more
But this poor cat as then,
Which to the ship he bore,
Like a brave valiant man.
"Vent'ring the same," quoth he,
"I may get store of gold,
And mayor of London be,
As the bells have me told."
Whittington's merchandise,
Carried to a land
Troubled with rats and mice,
As they did understand;
The king of the country there,
As he at dinner sat,
Daily remain'd in fear
Of many a mouse and rat.
Meat that on trenchers lay,
No way they could keep safe;
But by rats bore away,
Fearing no wand or staff;
Whereupon, soon they brought
Whittington's nimble cat;
Which by the king was bought,
Heaps of gold given for that.
Home again came these men,
With their ship laden so;
Whittington's wealth began
By this cat thus to grow: