Classic Poem

My reason for raising a cat was not to catch you;
I had hoped the sight of the cat
would make you cower and hide.
But you don't hide;
instead you bore through the walls,
you come and go at will: why? why?
It's bad enough that you come out to play;
how dare you instigate this present mad rout!
Your squabbles are so raucous you interfere with sleep;
you steal our food with incredible speed.
The fact that you whizz around in spite of the cat
shows that the cat is lacking in skill.
The cat may not be doing its job,
but your crimes are weighty still.
I can whip the cat, I can drive it out,
but you are difficult to catch and tie.
Rats, rats, mend your ways
or I'll govern you with a fierce new cat.