Illustrators began using Moore's words to mold a visual image of Santa Claus almost as soon as the poem was first printed in upstate New York's Troy Sentinel in 1823.

FORBES: Santa Claus' First Ride

In his opening remarks Monday, in what is expected to be a lengthy trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Durham returned repeatedly to the image of Mr. Clemens caught up in a web of his own weaving, citing the famous poem by Sir Walter Scott.

WSJ: Pitching Great Wove Web Of Lies, Prosecutors Argue