SCENE IV.

KING HUNCAMUNCA.

_King._ Let all but Huncamunca leave the room. [_Exeunt_ CLEORA _and_ MUSTACHA. Daughter, I have observed of late some grief Unusual in your countenance; your eyes That, like two open windows,[121] used to show The lovely beauty of the rooms within. Have now two blinds before them. What is the cause? Say, have you not enough of meat and drink? We've given strict orders not to have you stinted.

_Hunc._ Alas! my lord, I value not myself That once I ate two fowls and half a pig; Small is that praise![122] but oh! a maid may want What she can neither eat nor drink.

_King._ What's that?

_Hunc._ O spare my blushes;[123] but I mean a husband.

_King._ If that be all, I have provided one, A husband great in arms, whose warlike sword Streams with the yellow blood of slaughter'd giants, Whose name in Terrâ Incognitâ is known, Whose valour, wisdom, virtue, make a noise Great as the kettledrums of twenty armies.

_Hunc._ Whom does my royal father mean?

_King._ Tom Thumb.

_Hunc._ Is it possible?

_King._ Ha! the window-blinds are gone; A country-dance of joy is in your face.[124] Your eyes spit fire, your cheeks grow red as beef.

_Hunc._ Oh, there's a magic-music in that sound, Enough to turn me into beef indeed! Yes, I will own, since licensed by your word, I'll own Tom Thumb the cause of all my grief. For him I've sigh'd, I've wept, I've gnaw'd my sheets.

_King._ Oh! thou shalt gnaw thy tender sheets no more. A husband thou shalt have to mumble now.

_Hunc._ Oh! happy sound! henceforth let no one tell That Huncamunca shall lead apes in hell. Oh! I am overjoy'd!

_King._ I see thou art. Joy lightens, in thy eyes, and thunders from thy brows;[125] Transports, like lightning, dart along thy soul, As small-shot through a hedge.

_Hunc._ Oh! say not small.

_King._ This happy news shall on our tongue ride post, Ourself we bear the happy news to Thumb. Yet think not, daughter, that your powerful charms Must still detain the hero from his arms; Various his duty, various his delight; Now in his turn to kiss, and now to fight, And now to kiss again. So, mighty Jove,[126] When with excessive thund'ring tired above, Comes down to earth, and takes a bit--and then Flies to his trade of thund'ring back again.