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.
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