I can't make out whether this is really about cruelty to a cat, or has a double meaning which escapes me. Any ideas?

MONKEY AND NUTS
Tune unknown

A monkey being fond of nuts
He thought he'd like some roasted
And how was he to get them done
Not liking to be toasted
A poor young cat was passing by
And innocently watches
The wicked monkey saw her stop
And at his victim snatches

Poor pussy you are just the one
That I've been looking out for
How beautiful you look today
But tell me what you pout for
Upon my word I long have had
For you a fond affection
Now you shall stay and dine with me
Or take some slight refection

Twas no use for poor puss to speak
Or offer to deny him
The monkey had her in his grasp
And she could not defy him
As he begun to laugh and chat
And show a few grimaces
O! if you had have seen like I
The contrast in their faces

He put some nuts into her paw
And he the fire approached
As if a salamander he
Or made of young cockroaches
Poor pussy now began to squall
Her face the fire attacking
And sadly too her paw was burnt
The while the nuts were cracking

The monkey having feasted well
Began to snarl and grumble
To think how he was taken in
With nuts he scarce could mumble
"Dear me" said he "and how they're burnt"
And at poor puss a looking
"I cannot think how I could bear
Such miserable cooking"

And what a fuss you make about
A little bit of warming
I've often done the thing myself
There's nothing so alarming
"So take this for your pains" he said
"And next time be less squalling"
Then gave the puss a hearty cuff
That sent the poor thing sprawling

"And take this good advice" he said
"As I am one of letters"
Leave off you rude obstreperous ways
When you are with your betters
And think yourself well off" he said
"That I had mercy on you
For many would have sent you home
Without a dress upon you"
NHJ

Transcribed From a print in the Bodley Ballad collection