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the nobility, were happy to see Tom a-
gain at court, where he delighted them
by his dexterity at tilts and tournaments;
but his exertions to please them cost him
very dear, and brought on such a severe
fit of illness that his life was despaired of.
However, the queen of the fairies,
hearing of his indisposition came to court
in a chariot drawn by flying mice, and
placing Tom by her side, drove through
the air without stopping till they arrived
at her palace. After restoring him to
health and permitting him to enjoy all
the gay diversion of Fairy-Land, the
queen commanded a strong current of air
to arise, on which she placed Tom, who
floated upon it like a cork in the water,
and sent him instantly to the royal palace
of King Arthur.
Just at the time when Tom came flying
across the court-yard of the palace, the
cook happened to be passing with the
King's great bowl of furmenty, which
was a dish his majesty was very fond of;
but unfortunately the poor little fellow
fell plump into the middle of it and
splashed the hot furmenty about the cook's
face.
