As it appears in this book:
The real mother goose. Chicago: Rand McNally & Company.
(The first edition was published in 1916. The copyright was renewed in 1944. I found no other copyright markings on the book�but know it couldn't possibly be that old! My copy is a book club edition and has no ISBN information.)
Introduction
The Little Mouse tells the story of a mouse who likes to make a mess whenever and wherever he can!The Little Mouse
I have seen you little mouse,
Running all about the house,
Through the hole your little eye
In the wainscot peeping sly,
Hoping soon some crumbs to steal,
To make quite a hearty meal.
Look before you venture out,
See if pussy is about.
If she's gone, you'll quickly run
To the larder for some fun;
Round about the dishes creep,
Taking into each a peep
To choose the daintiest that's there,
Spoiling things you do not care.
Extension
There are many poems and stories about mischievous mice. One of my favorites is Linnea Riley's Mouse Mess. That picture book would be great to read as a companion to the poem.
Riley, Linnea. 1997. Mouse Mess. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 0-590-10050-5.