SURPRISING STORIES
ABOUT
THE MOUSE AND HER SONS,
AND
THE FUNNY PIGS.
WITH LAUGHABLE COLOURED ENGRAVINGS.
LONDON: DEAN & SON, 11, LUDGATE HILL, E. C.
THE
MOUSE
AND
HER SONS.
THE MOUSEAND HER SONS.
Once on a time there lived a Mouse,
Sole mistress of a spacious house,
And rich as mouse need be:
'Tis true her dwelling, underground,
Was neither long, nor square, nor round,
But suiting her degree.
Sole mistress of a spacious house,
And rich as mouse need be:
'Tis true her dwelling, underground,
Was neither long, nor square, nor round,
But suiting her degree.
No lofty ceilings there were seen,
No windows clear, or gardens green,
Or rooms with neat division.
But, in a corner, she could find
Of viands, sorted to her mind,
A notable provision.
No windows clear, or gardens green,
Or rooms with neat division.
But, in a corner, she could find
Of viands, sorted to her mind,
A notable provision.
Her neighbours round esteemed her well,
And often in her little cell,
Would spend a social hour;
Besides, she had a friendly heart,
And to the poor she would impart
Some of her little store.
And often in her little cell,
Would spend a social hour;
Besides, she had a friendly heart,
And to the poor she would impart
Some of her little store.
Now, Madam Mouse two sons had got,
One named Streak,—the other, Spot;
She gave them education,
And also taught them to excel
In all such arts as fitted well
A Mouse's occupation.
One named Streak,—the other, Spot;
She gave them education,
And also taught them to excel
In all such arts as fitted well
A Mouse's occupation.
Two prettier Mice were never seen,
So soft, so nimble, and so clean;
Their teeth were sharp, their eyes were bright;
And when through wood she saw them gnaw
As neatly, almost, as a saw,
The mother's eyes beamed with delight.
So soft, so nimble, and so clean;
Their teeth were sharp, their eyes were bright;
And when through wood she saw them gnaw
As neatly, almost, as a saw,
The mother's eyes beamed with delight.
And oft, she said, "My sons, beware
The guileful Cat and baited snare,
To Mice a sure perdition!"
And showed how, caught within the trap
They would bewail their dire mishap,
With tears of sad condition.
The guileful Cat and baited snare,
To Mice a sure perdition!"
And showed how, caught within the trap
They would bewail their dire mishap,
With tears of sad condition.
...