Chapter LXXV

[The tale of Jack Horner has long been appropriated to the
nursery. The four lines which follow are the traditional ones,
and they form part of 'The pleasant History of Jack Horner,
containing his witty Tricks and pleasant Pranks, which he
plaied from his Youth to his riper Years,' 12mo, a copy of
which is in the Bodleian Library, and this extended story
is in substance the same with 'The Fryer and the Boy,' 12mo,
Lond. 1617, and both of them are taken from the more ancient
story of 'Jack and his Step-dame,' which has been printed by
Mr. Wright.]

Little Jack Horner sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb, and he took out a plum,
And said, "What a good boy am I!"