Tomalin, with speed, Provide me arms, provide my steed, And everything that I shall need; By thee I will be guided: To straight account call thou thy wit; See there be wanting not a whit, In everything see thou me fit, Just as my foe’s provided.”

Soon flew this news through Fairy-land, Which gave Queen Mab to understand The combat that was then in hand Betwixt those men so mighty: Which greatly she began to rue, Perceiving that all Fairy knew The first occasion from her grew Of these affairs so weighty.

Wherefore attended with her maids, Through fogs, and mists, and damps she wades, To Proserpine the Queen of Shades, To treat, that it would please her The cause into her hands to take, For ancient love and friendship’s sake, And soon thereof an end to make, Which of much care would ease her.

A while there let we Mab alone, And come we to King Oberon, Who, armed to meet his foe, is gone, For proud Pigwiggin crying: Who sought the Fairy King as fast, And had so well his journeys cast, That he arrivéd at the last, His puissant foe espying.

Stout Tomalin came with the King, Tom Thumb doth on Pigwiggin bring, That perfect were in everything To single fights belonging: And therefore they themselves engage, To see them exercise their rage, With fair and comely equipage, Not one the other wronging.

So like in arms these champions were, As they had been a very pair, So that a man would almost swear, That either had been either; Their furious steeds began to neigh, That they were heard a mighty way; Their staves upon their rests they lay; Yet ere they flew together

Their seconds minister an oath, Which was indifferent to them both, That on their knightly faith and troth No magic them suppliéd; And sought them that they had no charms, Wherewith to work each other harms, But came with simple open arms To have their causes triéd.

Together furiously they ran, That to the ground came horse and man; The blood out of their helmets span, So sharp were their encounters; And though they to the earth were thrown, Yet quickly they regained their own, Such nimbleness was never shown, They were two gallant mounters.

When in a second course again They forward came with might and main, Yet which had better of the twain, The seconds could not judge yet; Their shields were into pieces cleft, Their helmets from their heads were reft, And to defend them nothing left,  

 Prev. P 62/113 next