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.