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