The Golden Goose Book | Page 7

far away into the sea. But he was not drowned, for he had scarcely touched the water before he was swallowed by a large fish, which was shortly afterwards captured and brought to King Arthur, as a present, by the fisherman. When the fish was opened, everyone was astonished at finding Tom inside. He was at once carried to the King, who made him his Court dwarf.
Long time he lived in jollity, Beloved of the Court, And none like Tom was so esteemed Amongst the better sort.
The Queen was delighted with the little boy, and made him dance a gaillard on her left hand. He danced so well that King Arthur gave him a ring, which he wore round his waist like a girdle.
Tom soon began to long to see his parents again, and begged the King to allow him to go home for a short time. This was readily permitted, and the King told him he might take with him as much money as he could carry.
And so away goes lusty Tom, With three pence at his back-- A heavy burthen which did make His very bones to crack.
He had to rest more than a hundred times by the way, but, after two days and two nights, he reached his father's house in safety. His mother saw him coming, and ran out to meet him, and there was great rejoicing at his arrival. He spent three happy days at home, and then set out for the Court once more.
Shortly after his return, he one day displeased the King, so, fearing the royal anger, he crept into an empty flower-pot, where he lay for a long time. At last he ventured to peep out, and, seeing a fine large butterfly on the ground close by, he stole out of his hiding-place, jumped on its back, and was carried up into the air. The King and nobles all strove to catch him, but at last poor Tom fell from his seat into a watering-pot, in which he was almost drowned, only luckily the gardener's child saw him, and pulled him out. The King was so pleased to have him safe once more that he forgot to scold him, and made much of him instead.
Tom afterwards lived many years at Court, one of the best beloved of King Arthur's knights.
Thus he at tilt and tournament Was entertained so, That all the rest of Arthur's knights Did him much pleasure show. With good Sir Launcelot du Lake, Sir Tristram and Sir Guy, Yet none compared to brave Tom Thumb In acts of chivalry.

PRINTED FOR THE PUBLISHERS BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LTD., LONDON AND BECCLES
LESLIE BROOKE'S CHILDREN'S BOOKS
OTHER BOOKS WITH DRAWINGS BY LESLIE BROOKE
JOHNNY CROW'S GARDEN JOHNNY CROW'S PARTY
A ROUNDABOUT TURN Verses by ROBERT H. CHARLES
LESLIE BROOKE'S LITTLE BOOKS size 7 in. by 5-1/2 in. 4 BOOKS NURSERY STORIES 4 BOOKS NURSERY RHYMES
THE NURSERY RHYME BOOK Edited by ANDREW LANG
PUBLISHED BY FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd.

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