[Illustration:  He stole those Tarts]

  Thieves!  Thieves! holla, you knavish Jack,
  Cannot the good Queen turn her back,
  But you must be so nimble hasty
  To come and steal away her pastry
  You think you’re safe, there’s one fees all,
  And understands, though he’s but small

[Illustration:  And took them quite away]

  How like a thievish Jack he looks! 
  I wish for my part all the cooks
  Would come and baste him with a ladle
  As long as ever they were able,
  To keep his fingers ends from itching
  After sweet things in the Queen’s kitchen.

[Illustration:  The King of Hearts]

  Behold the King of Hearts how gruff
  The monarch stands, how square, how bluff! 
  When our eighth Harry rul’d this land,
  Just like this King did Harry stand;
  And just so amorous, sweet, and willing,
  As this Queen stands, stood Anna Bullen.

[Illustration:  Call’d for those Tarts]

  The meat removed and dinner done,
  The knives are wip’d and cheese put on. 
  The King aloud for Tarts does bawl,
  Tarts, tarts, resound through all the Hall. 
  Pambo with tears denies the Fact,
  But Mungo saw him in the act.

[Illustration:  And beat the Knave full sore]

  Behold the due reward of sin,
  See what a plight rogue Pambo’s in. 
  The King lays on his blows so stout,
  The Tarts for fear come tumbling out
  O King! be merciful as just,
  You’ll beat poor Pambo into dust

[Illustration:  The Knave of Hearts]

  How like he looks to a dog that begs
  In abject sort upon two legs! 
  Good Mr. Knave, give me my due,
  I like a tart as well as you,
  But I would starve on good roast Beef,
  Ere I would look so like a thief.

[Illustration:  Brought back those Tarts]

  The Knave brings back the tarts he stole. 
  The Queen swears, that is not the whole. 
  What should poor Pambo do? hard prest
  Owns he has eaten up the rest. 
  The King takes back, as lawful debt,
  Not all, but all that he can get.

[Illustration:  And vow’d he’d steal no more]

  Lo!  Pambo prostrate on the floor
  Vows he will be a thief no more. 
  O King your heart no longer harden,
  You’ve got the tarts, give him his pardon. 
  The best time to forgive a sinner
  Is always after a good dinner.

[Illustration]

  “How say you Sir? tis all a joke—­
  Great Kings love tarts like other folk!”
  If for a truth you’ll not receive it,
  Pray, view the picture, and believe it. 
  Sly Pambo too has got a share,
  And eats it snug behind the chair.

[Illustration]

  Their Majesties so well have fed,
  The tarts have got up in their head. 
  “Or may be ’twas the wine!”—­hush, gipsey! 
  Great Kings & Queens indeed get tipsey! 
  Now, Pambo, is the time for you: 
  Beat little Tell-Tale black & blue.