I have an old Edition of this Author by me, the Title of which is more Sonorous and Heroical, than those of later Date, which for the better Information of the Reader, it may not be improper to insert in this Place. _*Tom Thumb* his Life and Death, wherein is declar'd his many marvellous Acts of Manhood, full of Wonder and strange Merriment_: Then he adds, _which little Knight liv'd in King *Arthur*'s Time in the Court of *Great Britain*_. Indeed there are so many spurious Editions of this Piece upon one Account or other, that I wou'd advise my Readers to be very cautious in their Choice, and it would be very wisely done, if they wou'd consult the curious _Ælianus_ concerning this Matter, who has the choicest Collection of any Man in _England_, and understands the most correct Editions of Books of this Nature.
I have took a great deal of Pains to set these Matters of Importance in as clear a Light as we Criticks generally do, and shall begin with the first _Canto_, which treats of our Hero's Birth and Parentage, and Education, with some other Circumstances which you'll find are carry'd on in a manner not very inelegant, _and cannot fail to please those who are not Judges of Language, or those who notwithstanding they are Judges of Language, have a genuine and unprejudic'd Tast of Nature_.
In _Arthur's_ Court _Tom Thumb_ did live; A Man of mickle Might, The best of all the Table round, And eke a doubty Knight, In Stature but an Inch in Height, Or quarter of a Span; Then think you not this worthy Knight Was prov'd a valiant Man.
This Beginning is agreeable to the best of the Greek and Latin Poets; _Homer_ and _Virgil_ give an Idea of the whole Poem in a few of the first Lines, and here our Author draws the Character of his Hero, and shews what you may expect from a Person so well qualify'd for the greatest Undertakings.
In the Description of him, which is very fine, he insinuates, that tho' perhaps his Person may appear despicable and little, yet you'll find him an Hero of the most consummate Bravery and Conduct, and is almost the same Account _Statius_ gives of _Tydeus_.
--------Totos infusa per artus, Major in exiguo regnabat corpore virtus.
If any suppose the Notion of such an Hero improbable, they'll find the Character _Virgil_ gives _Camilla_ to be as far stretch'd: