{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/arthur/art211.htm","path":"neu/arthur/art211.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/arthur/art211.htm","text":"Sacred Texts\u00a0\n Legends/Sagas\u00a0\n England\u00a0\n Index\u00a0\n Previous\u00a0\n Next\u00a0\n \n \n An Arthurian Miscellany\n Tom Thumbe,\n His Life and Death:\n Wherein is declared many Maruailous\n Acts of Manhood, full of wonder,\n and strange merriments:\n Which little Knight liued in King Arthurs time, and\n famous in the Court of Great Brittaine .\n \n \n The Life and Death of\n Tom Thumbe .\n \n Of the Birth, Name, and bringing vp of Tom \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thumbe , with the meery prankes that hee\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0did in his Childehood.\n \n In Arthurs Court Tom Thumbe did liue\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a man of mickle might,\n The best of all the Table round,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and eke a doughty knight:\n His stature but an inch in height,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0or quarter of a span,\n Then thinke you not this little knight\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0was prov'd a valiant man:\n \n His Father was a Plow-man plaine\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his Mother milkt the Cow,\n But yet the way to get a sonne\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0these couple knew not how,\n Untill such time this good old man\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to learned Merlin goes,\n And there to him his deepe disires\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in secret manner showes\n \n How in his heart he wisht to haue\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a Childe in time to come,\n To be his heire, though it might be\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0no bigger than his Thumbe:\n Of which old Merlin thus foretold,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that he his wish should haue,\n And to this Sonne of Nature small\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the Charmer to him gaue.\n \n No blood nor bones in him should be,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in shape and being such,\n That men should heare him speake, but not\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his wandring shadow touch:\n But so unseene to goe or come\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0whereas it pleasd him Nill,\n Begot and borne in halfe and houre,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to fit his Fathers will:\n \n And in foure minutes grew so fast,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that he became so tall\n As was the Plowmans thumbe in height,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and so they did him call,\n Tom Thumbe, the which Fayry-Queene,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0there gaue to him his name,\n Who with her traine of Goblins grim,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0unto his Christning came.\n \n Whereas she cloath'd him richly braue,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in garments fine and faire,\n Which lasted him for many yeares,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in seemely sort to weare:\n His hat made of an Oaken leafe,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his shirt a spiders web,\n Both light and soft, for those his limbes\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that were so smally bred.\n \n His hose and doublet Thistle downe,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0togeather weau'd full fine,\n His stocking of an apple greene,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0made of the outward rine;\n His garters were two little haires,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0pull'd from his mothers eye,\n His bootes and shoes a mouses skin,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0There tand most curiously.\n \n Thus like a lustie gallant, he\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0adventured forth to goe,\n With other Children in the streets\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his pretty trickes to show,\n Where he for counters, pinus, and points,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and cherry stones did play,\n Till he amonst those gamesters young\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0had lost his stocke away:\n \n Yet could he soone renue the same,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0when as most nimbly he\n Would diue into the Cherry-baggs,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and there a taker be,\n Unseene or felt by any one,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0untill a Scholler shut\n This nimble youth into a bore,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0wherein his pins be put,\n \n Of whom to be reueng'd, he tooke\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0(in mirth and pleasant game)\n Black pots, and glasses, which he hung\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0upon a bright Sunne-beame:\n The other Boyes to doe the like,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in pieces broke them quite,\n For which they were most soundly whipt,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0whereat he laught outright.\n \n And so Tom Thumbe restrained was\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0from these his sports and play,\n And by his Mother after that\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0compel'd at home to stay:\n Whereas about a Christmas time,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his father a Hog had kil'd,\n And Tom to see the puddings made,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0fear'd that they should be spil'd.\n \n \n How Tom Thumbe fell into the Pudding-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Boule: and of his escape out of the\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tinkers Budget.\n \n HE sate upon the Pudding-boule,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the Candle for to hold:\n Of which there is unto this day,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a pretty pastime told:\n For Tom fell in and could not be\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that euer after found,\n For in the blood and batter he\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0was strangely lost and drownd.\n \n Where searching long but all in vaine,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his Mother after that,\n Into a Pudding thrust her Sonne,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in stead of minced fat:\n Which pudding of the largest size\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0into the Kettle throwne,\n Made all the rest to fly thereout,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as with a whirle-wine blowne.\n \n For so it tumbled up and downe,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0within the liquor there,\n As if the Devill had there been boyld,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0such was his Mothers feare,\n That up she tooke the pudding strait,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and gaue it at her doore,\n Unto a Tinker, which from thence\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in his blacke Budget bore\n \n But as the Tinker climb'd a stile,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0by chance he let a cracke:\n Now gip old knaue, out cride Tom Thumbe,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0there hanging at his backe:\n At which the Tinker gan to run,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and would no longer stay,\n But cast both bag and Pudding downe,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and thence hyed fast away.\n \n From which Tom Thumbe got loose at last,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and home return'd againe,\n Where he from following dangers long\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in safety did remaine:\n Untill such time his mother went\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a milking at her Kine,\n Where Tom unto a Thistle fast\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0she linked with a twine.\n \n \n How Tom Thumbe was tyed to a Thistle,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and how his Mothers Cow eate him vp:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with his strange deliverance out of the Cowes belly.\n \n A Thread that helde him to the same,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for feare the blustring winde\n Should blow him thence, that so she might,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0her Sonne in safety finde:\n But marke the hap a Cow came by,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and up that Thistle eate.\n Poore Tom withall (that as a docke)\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0was made the red Cowes meate:\n \n Who being mist, his Mother went\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0him calling euery where,\n Where art thou Tom, where art thou Tom,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0quoth he, Here Mother, here;\n Within the red Cowes belly here:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0your Sonne is swallowed by,\n The which into her fearefull heart,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0most carefull dolours put.\n \n Meane while the Cow was troubled much,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in this her tumbling wombe,\n And could not rest untill that she\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0had backward cast Tom Thumbe:\n Who all besmeared as he was,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his mother tooke him vp,\n To beare him thence, the which poore Lad,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0she in her pocket put.\n \n Now after this, in sowing time,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his Father would him haue\n Into the field to drive his plow,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and thereupon him gaue\n A whip made of a Early straw,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to drive the Cattle on:\n Where in a furrow'd land new sowne,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0poore Tom was lost and gon.\n \n \n How Tom Thumbe was carried away by a Ra-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0uen; and how he was swallowed by a Giant,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with other strange accidents that befell him.\n \n Now by a Rauen of great strength\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0away he thence was borne,\n And carried in the carrions beake,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0even like a graine of Corne,\n Unto a Giants Castle top,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in which he let him fall,\n Where soone the Giant swallowed vp,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his body, cloathes and all.\n \n But in his belly did Tom Thumbe\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0so great a rumbling make,\n That neither day nor night he could\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the smallest quiet take,\n Untill the Gyant had him spewd\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0three miles into the Sea,\n Whereas a Fish soone tooke him up\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and bore him thence away.\n \n Which lusty Fish was afeer caught,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and to King Arthur sent,\n Where Tom was found, and made his Dwarfe,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0whereas his dayes he spent,\n Long time in liuely jollity,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0belou'd of all the Court,\n And none like Tom was the esteem'd\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0amongst the noble sort.\n \n Amongst his deedes of Courtship done,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his highnesse did command,\n That he should dance a Galliard braue,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0upon his Queenes left hand.\n The which he did and for the same,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the King his signet gaue,\n Whith Tom about about his middle wore,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0long time a girdle braue.\n \n Now after this the King would not\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0abroad for pleasure goe,\n But still Tom Thumbe must ride with him,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0plac't on his saddle bow:\n When on a time when as it rain'd,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tom Thumbe most nimbly crept\n In at a Button hole, where he\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0within his bosome slept.\n \n And being neere his Highnesse heart,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he crau'd a wealthy boone,\n A liberall gift, the which the King\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0commanded to be done,\n For to relieue his Fathers wants,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and Mothers, being old:\n Which was so much of silver Coyne,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as well his armes could hold.\n \n And so away goes lusty Tom,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with three pence on his backe,\n A heauy burthen, which might make\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his wearied limbes to cracke,\n So trauelling two dayes and nights,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with labour and great paine,\n He came into the house whereas\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his parents did remaine,\n \n Which was but half a mile in space,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0from good Kings Arthurs Court,\n The which in eight and forty houres,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he went in weary sort:\n But comming to his Fathers doore,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he there such entrance had,\n As made his Parents both rejoice,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and he thereat was glad.\n \n His mother in her apron tooke\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0her gentle Sonne in haste,\n And by the fier side, within\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a walnut shell him plac'd:\n Whereas they feasted him three dayes\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0upon a Hazell nut,\n Whereon he rioted so long,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he them to charges put.\n \n And there upon grew wonderous sicke,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0through eating too much meate,\n Which was sufficient for a month\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for this great man to eate.\n But now his business call'd him foorth,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0King Arthurs Court to see,\n Whereas no longer from the same\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he could a stranger be.\n \n But yet a few small April drops,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0which setled in the way,\n His long and weary journey forth,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0did hinder and so stay,\n Untill his carefull Father tooke\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a birding trunke in sport,\n And with one blast blew this his Sonne\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0into King Arthurs Court.\n \n \n Of Tom Thumbs running at Tilt, with diuers o-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ther Knightly exercises by him performed.\n \n Now he with Tilts and Turnaments\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0was entertained so,\n That all the best of Arthurs Knights,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0did him much pleasure show,\n As good Sir Lancelot of the Lake,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sir Tristram, and Sir Guy,\n Yet none compar'd with braue Tom Thum\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for Knightly Chiualry.\n \n In honour of which noble day,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and for his Ladies sake,\n A challenge in King Arthurs Court,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tom Thumbe did brauely make:\n Gainst whom these noble Knights did run,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sir Chinon, and the rest,\n Yet still Tom Thumbe with matchles might\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0did beare away the best.\n \n At last sir Lancelot of the Lake,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in manly sort came in,\n And with this stout and hardy knight\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a battle did begin.\n Which made the Courtiers all agast,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for there that valiant man,\n Through Lancelots Steed before them all,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in nimble manner ran.\n \n Yea horse and all, with speare and shield,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as hardly he was seene,\n But onely by King Arthurs selfe\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and his admired Queene,\n Who from her finger tooke a Ring,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0though which Tom Thumbe made way,\n Not touching it in nimble sort,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as it was done in play.\n \n He likewise cleft the smallest haire\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0from his faire Ladies head,\n Not hurting her, whose even hand\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0him lasting honors bred:\n Such were his heeds and noble acts,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in Arthurs Court there showne,\n As like in all the world beside,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0was hardly seene or knowne.\n \n \n How Tom Thumbe did take his sicknesse, and of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his Death and Buriall.\n \n Now at these sports he toyld himselfe,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that he a sicknesse tooke,\n Though which all manly exercise,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he carelessly forsooke:\n Where lying on his bed sore sicke,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0King Arthurs Doctor came,\n With cunning skill, by physicks art,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to ease and cure the same,\n \n His body being so slender small\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0this cuaning Doctor tooke\n A fine prospective glasse, with which\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he did in secret looke\n Into his sickened body downe,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and therein saw that death\n Stood ready in his wasted guts,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to cease his vitall breath,\n \n His armes and leggs consum'd as small,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as was a Spiders web,\n Though which his dying houre grew on,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for all his limbes grew dead:\n His face no bigger than an Ants\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0which hardly could be seene,\n The losse of which renowned Knight\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0much grieu'd the King and Queene.\n \n And so with peace and quietnesse,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he left this earth below:\n And up into the Fayry Land,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his Ghost did fading goe,\n Whereas the Fayry Queene receiu'd,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with heauy mourning cheere,\n The body of this valiant Knight,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0whom she esteem'd so deare.\n \n For with her dancing Nimphes in greene,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0she fetcht him from his bed,\n With musicke and sweet melody,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0so soone as life was fled:\n For whom King Arthur and his Knights,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for forty daies did mourne,\n And in remembrance of his name\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that was so strangely borne.\n \n He built a Tombe of Marble gray,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and yeare by yeare did come\n To celebrate that mournefull day,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and buriall of Tom Thum:\n Whose fame still liues in England here,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0amongst the Countrey sort.\n Of whom our Wiues and Children small\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0tell tales of pleasant sport.\n \n FINIS\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Next: The Temptation of Arthur, by Anonymous [1870]","title":"Arthurian Miscellany: Tom Thumbe, His Life and Death, by Anonymous [1630]","type":"page"}