SCENE VIII.--_Thunder and Lightning.

TOM THUMB, GLUMDALCA, _cum suis._

_Thumb._ Oh, Noodle! hast thou seen a day like this? The unborn thunder rumbles o'er our heads,[183] As if the gods meant to unhinge the world,[184] And heaven and earth in wild confusion hurl; Yet will I boldly tread the tott'ring ball.

_Merl._ Tom Thumb!

_Thumb._ What voice is this I hear?

_Merl._ Tom Thumb!

_Thumb._ Again it calls.

_Merl._ Tom Thumb!

_Glum._ It calls again.

_Thumb._ Appear, whoe'er thou art; I fear thee not.

_Merl._ Thou hast no cause to fear--I am thy friend, Merlin by name, a conjuror by trade, And to my art thou dost thy being owe.

_Thumb._ How?

_Merl._ Hear, then, the mystic getting of Tom Thumb.

His father was a ploughman plain, His mother milk'd the cow; And yet the way to get a son This couple knew not how, Until such time the good old man To learned Merlin goes, And there to him, in great distress, In secret manner shows How in his heart he wish'd to have A child, in time to come, To be his heir, though it may be No bigger than his thumb: Of which old Merlin was foretold That he his wish should have; And so a son of stature small The charmer to him gave.[185]

Thou'st heard the past--look up and see the future.

_Thumb._ Lost in amazement's gulf, my senses sink;[186] See there, Glumdalca, see another me![187]

_Glum._ O, sight of horror! see, you are devour'd By the expanded jaws of a red cow.

_Merl._ Let not these sights deter thy noble mind, For, lo! a sight more glorious courts thy eyes.[188] See from afar a theatre arise; There ages, yet unborn, shall tribute pay To the heroic actions of this day; Then buskin tragedy at length shall choose Thy name the best supporter of her muse.

_Thumb._ Enough: let every warlike music sound. We fall contented, if we fall renown'd.