This shews he had all the Accomplishments of _Achilles_ who was undoubtedly one of the best Dancers in the Age he liv'd, according to the Character _Homer_ gives him so frequently of the Agility of his Feet. I have consulted a Master of the Profession of Dancing, who is excellently vers'd in the Chronology of all Dances, he tells me that this _Galliard_ came into Vogue about the latter End of the Reign of _Uter Pendragon_, and continu'd during that of King _Arthur_, which is Demonstration to me that our Poet liv'd about that Age. It is asserted very positively in the later Editions of this Poem, that the four following Lines are a Relation of the King and _Tom Thumb_'s going together an Hunting, but I have took indefatigable Pains to consult all the _Manuscripts_ in _Europe_ concerning this Matter, and I find it an _Interpolation_. I have also an _Arabick Copy_ by me, which I got a _Friend_ to translate, being unacquainted with the Language, and it is plain by the Translation that 'tis there also _interpolated_. Now after that the King wou'd not Abroad for Pleasure go, But still _Tom Thumb_ must go with him Plac'd on his Saddle Bow. ----Ipse Uno graditur comitatus Achate. There is scarcely any Scene more moving than this that follows, and is _such an one as wou'd have shined in *Homer* or *Virgil*_. When he was favour'd with his Prince's Ear, and might have ask'd the most profitable and important Posts in the Government, and been indemnified if guilty of a _Peculatus_; He only used his Interest to relieve the Necessities of his Parents, when another _Person_ wou'd have scarcely own'd 'em for his _Relations_. This discovers such a Generosity of Soul, such an Humility in the greatest Prosperity, such a tender Affection for his Parents, as is hardly to be met with, but in our Author. And being near his Highness Heart He crav'd a wealthy Boon, A noble Gift, the which the King Commanded to be done; To relieve his Father's Wants, And Mother being old. The rest of this Canto relates the Visit to his Father, in which there is something very soft and tender, something _that may move the Mind of the most polite Reader, with the inward Meltings of Humanity and Compassion_. The Next Canto of the Tilts and Tournaments, is much like the Fifth Book of _Virgil_, and tho' we can't suppose our Poet ever saw that Author, yet we may believe he was directed to almost the same Passages, _by the same kind of Poetical Genius, and the same Copyings after Nature_. Now he with Tilts and Tournaments, Was entertained so, That all the rest of _Arthur_'s Knights Did him much Pleasure show; And good Sir _Lancelot_ of _Lake_, Sir _Tristram_, and Sir _Guy_; But none like to _Tom Thumb_ For Acts of Chivalry. Longeque ante omnia Corpora Nisus Emicat---- And agen, Post Elymus subit, & nunc tertia palma Diores.