Page:Stories and story-telling (1915).djvu/171

 TOM THUMB

But Tom did not live much longer. A large spider one day attacked him. Tom drew his sword and fought well, but at last the spider's poisonous breath overcame him.

"He fell dead on the ground where he stood, And the spider suck'd up every drop of his blood."

Well, of course he had to die some time.

King Thunstone and his whole court were so sorry that they went into mourning for him, and over his grave they raised a white marble monument. And the king's engraver wrote this on it:

"Here lyes Tom Thumb, King Arthur's knight, Who died by a cruel spider's bite. He was well known in Arthur's court, Where he afforded gallant sport; He rode at tilt and tournament, And on a mouse a-hunting went. Alive he filled the court with mirth; His death to sorrow soon gave birth. Wipe, wipe your eyes, and shake your head And cry,—'Alas! Tom Thumb is dead!'"

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