_Sir Thomas Hickathrift and his Lady was sent for to Court, and of what
happened._
The tydings of Tom’s wedding was soon nois’d in the Court, so that the
King sent them a royal invitation to the end he might see his Lady,
they immediately went, and were received with all demonstrations of
Joy and Triumph. But while they were in their mirth, a dreadful cry
approached the Court which proved to be the Commons of Kent who were
come thither to complain of a dreadful Giant that was landed in one of
the Islands: And brought with him abundance of Bears and young Lyons,
likewise a dreadful Dragon on which he himself rid, which monster and
ravenous beasts had frighted all the inhabitants out of the Island.
Moreover they said if speedy course was not taken to suppress them
in time, they might over-run the whole land. The King hearing this
dreadful relation was a little startled, yet he perswaded them to
return home and make the best defence they could for themselves at
present, assuring them that he should not forget them, and so they
departed.