Mr. Mistoffelees

You ought to know Mr. Mistoffelees!
The Original Conjuring Cat—
(There can be no doubt about that). 
Please listen to me and don’t scoff. All his
Inventions are off his own bat. 
There’s no such Cat in the metropolis;
He holds all the patent monopolies
For performing surprising illusions
And creating eccentric confusions.
	At prestidigitation
		And at legerdemain
	He’ll defy examination
		And deceive you again.
The greatest magicians have something to learn
From Mr. Mistoffelees’ Conjuring Turn.
Presto!
	Away we go!
		And we all say: OH!
			Well I never!
			Was there ever
			A Cat so clever
				As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!

He is quiet he is small, he is black
From his ears to the tip of his tail;
He can creep through the tiniest crack
He can walk on the narrowest rail.
He can pick any card from the pack,
He is equally cunning with dice;
He is always deceiving you into beliveeing
That he’s only hunting for mice.
	He can play any trick with a cork
		Or a spoon and a bit of fish-paste;
	If you look for a knife or a fork
		And you think it is merely displaced—
You have seen it on moment, and then it is gawn!
But you’ll find it next week lying out on the lawn.
And we all say: OH!
			Well I never!
			Was there ever
			A Cat so clever
				As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!

His manner is vague and aloof,
You would think there is nobody shyer—
But his voice has been heard on the roof
When he was curled up by the fire.
And he’s sometimes been heard by the fire
When he was about on the roof—
(At least we all heard somebody who purred)
Which is incontestable proof
	Of his singular magical powers:
		And I have known the family to call
	Him in from the garden for hours,
		While he was asleep in the hall.
And not long ago this phenomenal Cat
Produced seven kittens right out of a hat!
	And we all say: OH!
			Well I never!
			Did you ever
			Know a Cat so clever
				As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!

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