Great pleasure took the king and the nobility in the sport, vowing that
the hunting of the lyon (of which there was plenty in that country)
was not answerable unto it. In the interim one began to praise her for
her colour, another commending her for her valour, one said she had
the countenance of a lyon, and every one gave his sentence. When the
poor cat finding no more work for her to do, went round to the King and
Queen purling and curling (as their manner is), which they apprehended
to be, as if she inquired of them what she had deserved for that late
service.
To cut off circumstance, no price could part them, and the rather when
the factor had told the king that she was with kittens, and that her
brood would in some few years, being carefully lookt into, furnish the
whole kingdom, so that Whittingtons cats adventure only surmounted all
the ships lading beside, with which fortune and unexpected gain we
bring them safe into England; the ship lying at anchor near Blackwal,
and the Pilot and Cape-merchant, with some other officers in the ship
at Mr. Fitzwarrens house, which was by Leaden-Hall, to give accompt
of their voyage. But these caskets of jewels and pearls, with other
unvaluable (_sic_) riches which were given for the cat, they caused to
be brought along, not daring, by reason of their inestimable value,
to trust them in the ship. The Bills of lading and the benefit of the
return of the Commodities being viewed and considered of by the owner,
he praised God for so prosperous a voyage, and called all his servants
and gave order that according to their adventures every one should
receive his portion.
At length casting his eye upon those rich caskets and cabinets, he
asked to whose share they belonged; who whispered him in the ear,
and told him to his poor Whittington, relating every particular as is
before discoursed. To whom Master Fitzwarren replyed, if they then be
his, God forbid I should keep from him the least farthing that is his
right, and presently commanded Whittington to be sent for by the name
of Mr. Whittington.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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