SCENE VI.

KING, QUEEN, HUNCAMUNCA, NOODLE.

_King._ See where the princess comes! Where is Tom Thumb?

_Hunc._ Oh! sir, about an hour and half ago He sallied out t' encounter with the foe, And swore, unless his fate had him misled, From Grizzle's shoulders to cut off his head, And serve't up with your chocolate in bed.

_King._ 'Tis well, I found one devil told us both. Come, Dollallolla, Huncamunca, come; Within we'll wait for the victorious Thumb: In peace and safety we secure may stay, While to his arm we trust the bloody fray; Though men and giants should conspire with gods, He is alone equal to all these odds.[177]

_Queen._ He is, indeed, a helmet to us all;[178] While he supports we need not fear to fall; His arm despatches all things to our wish, And serves up ev'ry foe's head in a dish. Void is the mistress of the house of care, While the good cook presents the bill of fare; Whether the cod, that northern king of fish, Or duck, or goose, or pig, adorn the dish, No fears the number of her guests afford, But at her hour she sees the dinner on the board.