It was a garret-room of a steep-roofed Dutch house, where the rain patted on the shingles, and the lightning gleamed, and the wind piped through the crannies in stormy weather; and where whole troops of hungry rats, like Don Cossacks, galloped about in defiance of traps and Ratsbane.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
Better mix Ratsbane in the jelly cake.
"Around The Tea-Table"
T. De Witt Talmage
"I shall buy Ratsbane for them," says Mother; and soe into the Parlour, where Father, having hearde the whole Dialogue, had been greatlie amused.
"Mary Powell & Deborah's Diary"
Anne Manning