Well learned in the tailoring trade,

His clothing was supplied.--
A needle dangled by his side;
A dapper mouse he used to ride,
Thus strutted Tom in stately pride!"

It was certainly very diverting to see Tom in this dress, and
mounted on the mouse, as he rode out a-hunting with the king and
nobility, who were all ready to expire with laughter at Tom and his
fine prancing charger.

One day, as they were riding by a farmhouse, a large cat, which was
lurking about the door, made a spring, and seized both Tom and his
mouse. She then ran up a tree with them, and was beginning to devour
the mouse; but Tom boldly drew his sword, and attacked the cat so
fiercely that she let them both fall, when one of the nobles caught
him in his hat, and laid him on a bed of down, in a little ivory
cabinet.

The queen of fairies came soon after to pay Tom a visit, and carried
him back to Fairy-land, where he lived several years. During his
residence there, King Arthur, and all the persons who knew Tom, had died;
and as he was desirous of being again at court, the fairy queen, after
dressing him in a suit of clothes, sent him flying through the air to the
palace, in the days of king Thunstone, the successor of Arthur. Every one
flocked round to see him, and being carried to the king, he was asked
who he was--whence he came--and where he lived? Tom answered:

"My name is Tom Thumb,