For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it a chance.
For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying. 
For when his day's work is done his business more properly begins. 
For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary. 
For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes. 
For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life. 
For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him. 
For he is of the tribe of Tiger.

       Before finished reading the poem i thought that the author was describing the behavior of his house cat. I generally think of tigers as a ferocious and beautiful thing that can only be observed. the author spoke with a familiarity of a pet  I found it interesting that  the made a reference to the tiger battling the devil.  Though it was described with simple words  i felt it had a deeper meaning because in some ancient civilizations cats were revered for such belifs    and actions.

       When i think abut it the tiger could also represents judgment because it gives the mice a chance and sometimes the get free but most get caught. It almost like in court when the judge decides whether or not you go to jail  or whether or not you have to pay a fine. Coming back to the cats being revered idea the tiger greets the sun fights back the evil presence we all know is there and does this a systematically all the time. I may be over thinking but i feel that there is some thing more to this poem than first meets the eye...

       Remebering growing up with family( not my immediate because i don't particularly like them) that had a lot of cats this behavior sounds very familiar to what i have seen. wheter this relates to the morals of justice or to a strange reverance to cats or just a poem expressing fondness towards a single cat it is thought provoking a interesting.