"The Little Mouse , who made itself a House in a Christmas Cake" - excerpts of the poem with illustrations from the book Aunt Affable's New Books for Children. London: 1844 A pretty story I will tell Of Nib , a little Mouse ,
Who took delight , when none were near ,
To skip about the house.
And on the shelf she found A Christmas cake , the top of which
Was by a castle crowned.
You all have tasted Christmas cake ,
Its currants and its spice;
And some , you know , have ornaments ,
With suitable device.
The subject of the present cake
Was Windsor's mighty walls;
With turrets , windows , standard , too ,
And entrance to the halls.
Why , here within such walls as these ,
Thought Mousey , I could dwell;
And , should the cat lay siege to them ,
Defend myself right well. So , with her little teeth , which served
For pickaxe and for spade , She gnawed right through the Gothic door , And thus an entrance made. And then the little folks all came
To eat and drink , and play.
For dinner they had turkey , goose ,
Roast beef , and roasted hare , Plum-pudding , too , was there. The dinner finished , wine and fruits Were on the table spread; And then the cake , where Mousey lay When Windsor castle they behold ,
Displayed upon the cake. The turrets and the walls they view , The cannon , too , admire They scrutinized the cake , and wished To taste a bit of it Then John , as he the turret viewed , With consternation cried , "
There's something- , I am sure , alive , And moving , too , inside." The children hunted high and low ,
This merry mouse to find; To have a bit of fun with her , They all appeared inclined. The party then began their dance , And singing then ensued;
And then came supper , with its cakes , And very best home-brewed. Well pleased was every one;
And hoped next Christmas day might be As full of harmless fun. For all agreed who , on that day , Had visited the house. They ne'er had seen such pleasure through A pretty little Mouse. For the entire poem click
HERE Christmas Cake/Black Cake posting with recipes
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