d I the chiefest are,
And for all things do take care.
Lick is cook and dresseth meat,
And fetcheth all things that we eat:
Lull is nurse and tends the cradle,
And the babes doth dress and swaddle.
This little fellow, called Tom Thumb,
That is no bigger than a plum,
He is the porter to our gate,
For he doth let all in thereat,
And makes us merry with his play,
And merrily we spend the day."

She having spoken, Tom Thumb stood up on tip-toe and showed himself,
saying--

My actions all in volumes two are wrote,
The least of which will never be forgot.

He had no sooner ended his two lines, but a shepherd (that was watching in
the field all night) blew up a bag-pipe: this so frightened Tom, that he
could not tell what to do for the present time. The fairies seeing Tom
Thumb in such a fear, punished the shepherd with his pipes' loss, so that
the shepherd's pipe presently brake in his hand, to his great amazement.
Hereat did Robin Good-fellow laugh, _ho, ho, hoh!_ Morning being come, they
all hasted to Fairy Land, where I think they yet remain.

My hostess asked me how I liked this tale? I said, it was long enough, and
good enough to pass time that might be worser spent. I, seeing her dry,
called for two pots: she emptied one of them at a draught, and never
breathed for the matter: I emptied the other at leisure; and being late I
went to bed, and did dream of this which I had heard.

* * * * *

THE ROMANCE OF THOMAS OF ERCELDOUNE

FYTTE I

As I me went this endris[1] day,
Full fast in mind making my moan,
In a merry morning of May
By Huntlie banks myself alone,
I heard the jay and the throstle-cock; 5
The mavis meaned[2] her of her song;
The woodwale bered[3] as a bell,
That all the wood about me rong.
Alone in longing thus as I lay
Underneath a seemly tree, 10
Saw I where a lady gay
Came riding over a longe lea.
If I should sit to Doomesday
With my tongue to wrable and wry[4],
Certainly that lady gay 15
Never be she described for me!
Her palfrey was a dapple-gray,[5]
Swilk[6] one ne saw I never none;
As does the sun on summer's day,
That fair lady herself she shone. 20
Her saddle it was of roelle-bone[7];
Full seemly was that sight to see!
Stiffly set with p