Classic Poem

Ever honoured Mistress mine,
Condescend to read a line
Written by my little paws,
And defend poor Tyger's cause.
Wicked Harriet has said
Tyger heavy made the bread;
Believe her not; 'tis all a lie,
Harriet spoilt the bread, not I.
Very true it is, I know,
I slept a little on the dough;
But surely that could do no harm;
No, no, 'twas Betsey up at Farm
Sent her down some shocking barm.
Or else Harriet had been drinking,
Or upon her sweetheart thinking,
And did not knead the dough enough,
And when she found her bread was tough
Laid it on Tyger in a huff.
Tell her a shame it is that she
Should lay her careless faults on me,
And that I'll make her rue the day
If she again the same should say.
For, should I see a hundred mice
Eating up her tartlets nice,
I will not interrupt their fun,
I will not catch a single one.
Hence forth for me, both rat & mouse
Shall unmolested haunt the house,
Shall run about where er'e they please
And nibble bread & meat & cheese.
Nay more, when Harriet goes to bed
The mice shall frisk about her head,
And when she tries her eyes to close
A rat shall bite her by the nose.
Besides, I'll tell you what I'll do,
Close at her door all night I'll mew
And such a dismal wailing keep
She shall not get a wink of sleep,
Shall lose her rest, & health, & fat
Because she blamed a harmless cat.