“And, courteous stranger, ask’st thou, then,

What’s known alike to gods and men,

The lineage of Crumplunderer’s house?

Me Princess Lickfarina bare,

Daughter of good King Nibble-the-flitch,

And she weaned me on many a dainty rare,

As became great Pie-devourer’s heir,

With filberts and figs and sweetmeats rich.

III

“Never mortal mouse, I ween,