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 and 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 a pack,

He is equally cunning with dice;

He is always deceiving you into believing

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 misplaced—

You have seen it one 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 was nobody shyer—

But his voice has been heard on the roof

When he was curled up 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!

               Was there ever

               A Cat so clever

                    As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!