_Tom served two Troopers, whom the young Spark had hired to beset him,
etc._
This young galland being tormented in his mind to think how Tom had
conquered and sham’d him before his Mistress, he was now resolved for
speedy revenge; and knowing that he was not able to coap with a man of
Tom’s strength and activity, he therefore hired two lusty Troopers,
well mounted, to lie in ambush in a thicket which Tom had to pass
through from his home to the young lady, and accordingly they attempted
to set upon him: How now quoth Tom Rascals, what would you be at? Are
you indeed weary of the world, that you so unadvisably set upon one who
is able to crush you in like a Cucumber; the Troopers laughing at him,
said, that they were not to be daunted at his high words, High words
quoth Tom, no I will come to action; and with that he run in between
these armed Troopers, catching them under his arm. Horse and Men, with
as much ease as if they had been but a couple of Baker’s babbins,
steering his course with them hastily towards his own home, and, as
he pass’d thro’ a meadow, in which there was many Haymakers at work,
the poor distressed troopers crying out, Stop him stop him he runs
away with two of the King’s troopers. The hay-makers laught heartily
to see how Tom hugged them along; ever and anon he upbraided them for
their baseness; declared that he would make minced meat of them to feed
the Crows and Jackdaws about his house and habitation. This was such
a dreadful lecture to them, that the poor rogues begg’d that he would
be merciful, and spare their lives, and they would discover the whole
plot, and who was the person that employ’d them; which accordingly they
did, and gain’d favour in the sight of Tom, who pardon’d them upon
promise that they would never be concern’d in such a villainous action
for the time to come.
[Illustration]