THE Pleasant History OF Thomas Hickathrift.  
 woodcut of Tom at work and fighting a giant  
Printed for William Thackeray, and Thomas Passin●●●r.   

THE CONTENTS.  

WHat Honour Tom came unto. page.. 1  
How Tom Hic-ka-thrift's Strength came to be known. page. 3  
How Tom came to be a Brewers Man, and how he came to Kill a giant, and at last was Mr. Hic-ka-thrift page. 7  
How Tom kept a pack of Hounds, and kicked a Foot-Ball quiter away; and how he had like to have been Robbed with four Thieves, and how Tom escaped,    

THE Pleasant HISTORY OF Thomas Hic-ka-thrift ▪  
His Birth and Parentage, and the true manner of his performing many Manly Acts, and how he Killed a giant.  
Young Man, here thou mayest behold what Honour Tom came unto.  
And if that thou dost buy this Book,  
Be sure that thou dost in it look;  
And red it o'er, then thou wilt say,  
Thy Money is not thrown away.  
IN the Reign before William the Conqueror, I have red in ancient Histories, that there dwelled a Man in the Marsh the Isle of Ely, in the Country of Cambridge, whose Name was Thomas Hic-ka-thrift, a poor Man, and day labourer, yet he was a very stout Man, and able to perform two days work instead of one, he having one Son, and no more Children in the world, he called him by his own Name Thomas Hickathrift; this old Man put his Son to good Learning, but he would take none, for he was, as we call them now in this Age, none of the wisest sort, but something soft, and had no docity at all in him: God calling this Old Man his Father out of the world, his Mother being tender of him, and maintained him by her hand Labour as well as she could: he being slothful and not willing to work to get a penny for his living, but all his delight was to be in the Chimney-corner, and would eat as much at one time as might very well serve four or five ordinary men; for he was in length when he was but Ten years of age, about eight foot, and in Thickness five foot, and his hand was like unto a shoulder of Mutton, and in all parts from top to to, he was like a Monster; and yet his great Strength was not known.  

How Tom Hic-ka-thrift's Strength came to be known, the which if you please but to red, will give you full satisfaction.  
THe first time that his Strength was known, was by his Mothers going to a Rich Farmers House,( she being but a poor Woman) to desire a Bottle of Straw to shift her self and her Son Thomas: the Farmer being an honest Charitable Man, bid her take what she would: she going home to her Son Tom, said, I pray thee go to such a place and fetch me a Bottle of Straw, I have asked him leave: he swore a great Oath he would not go; nay, prithee Tom go, said his old Mother, he swore again he would not go, unless she would borrow him a Cart-rope, she being willing to please him, because she would have some Straw, went and borrowed him a Cart-rope to his desire, he taking it went his way; so coming to the Farmers House, the Master was in the Barn, and two men a Thrashing: said Tom, I am come for a Bottle of Straw: Tom, said the Master, take as much as thou canst carry: he laid down his Cart-rope, and began to make his Bottle; but, said they, Tom, thy rope is too short, and jeered poor Tom, but he fitted the man well for it, for he made his Bottle, and when he had made it, there was supposed to be a Load of Straw in it of two thousand weight; but, said they, what a great fool art thou? thou canst not carry the tithe on't; but Tom took the Bottle and flung it on his shoulder, and made no more of it then we do of an hundred weight. to the great admiration of Master and Men. Tom Hic-ka-thrift's strength being known in the Town, then they would not let him any longer lie basking by the fire in the Chimney-corner, every one would be hiring him to work, they seeing him to have so much strength,  told him that it was a shane for him to live such a lazy course of life, and to lie idle day after day as he did. So Tom seeing them bait at him in such a manner as they did, he went first to one work then to another, but at length came a Man to Tom, and desired him to go with him unto the Wood, for he had a three to bring home, and he would content him. So Tom went with him, and he took with him four Men beside; but when they came to the Wood, they set the Earl by the three, and began to draw it up with pulleys, but Tom seeing them not able to lift it up, said, Stand away you Fools, and takes the three and sets it on one end, and lays it in the Cart, now, says he, see what a Man can do; mary, it is true, said they: so when they had done, coming through the Wood they met the Woodman, Tom asked him for a stick to make his Mother a fire with; I, said the Woodman, take one what thou canst carry: so Tom espied a three bigger then was in the Cart, and lays it on his Shoulder, and goes home with it as fast as the Cart went and six Horses could draw it: This was the second time that Toms Strength was known: so when Tom began to know that he had more Strength then twenty Men had, he then began to be Merry with Men, and very tractable, and would Run, or Go, or jump; and took great delight to be amongst Company, and to go to Fairs and Meetings, and to see Sports and Pastime: So going to a Feast, the Young Men were all met, some to Cudgels, some to wrestling, some throwing the Hammer, and the like; So Tom stood a little to see their Sport, and at last goes to them that were a throwing the Hammer, and standing a little by to behold their Man-like Sport, at last he takes the Hammer in his hand, to feel the weight of it, and bid them stand out of the way, for he would throw it as far as he could: I, said the Smith, and jeered poor Tom, you'l throw it a great way i'll warrant you: but Tom took the Hammer and flung it, and there was a River about five or six Furlongs off, and flung it into that: so when he had done he bid the Smith go fetch his Hammer again, and laughed the Smith to scorn; but when Tom had done that, he would go to wrestling, though he had no more skill than an Ass had, but what he did by Strength, yet he flung all that came, for if once he had laid hold they were gone: some he would throw over his head, some he would lay down slily and how he pleased: he would not Lock nor strike at their Heels, but flung them two or three Yards from him, ready to break their Necks asunder: so that none at last durst go into the Ring to wrestle with him, for they took him to be some Devil that was come amongst them, so Toms famed was spread more in the Country.   

How Tom came to be a Brewers Man, and how he came to kill a giant, and at last was Mr. Hic-ka-thrift.  
TOms famed being spread abroad in the Country, there was not a man durst give Tom an angry word, for he was something Fool-hardy, and he did not care what he did at them: so that those that knew him would not in the least displease him: But at length there was a Brewer at lin that wanted a good lusty Man to carry his Beer in the Marsh and to Wisbich; so hearing of Tom, went to hire him, but Tom seemed coy, and would not be his Man until his mother and friends did persuade him, and his master entreated him, and likewise promised him a new svit of clothes, and cloth him from top to to, and besides, he should Eat and Drink of the best; so Tom at last yielded to be his Man, and his Master  told him how far he should go: for you are to understand, there was a monstrous giant which kept some part of the Marsh, and none durst go that way, for if they did, he would keep them, or kill them, or else he would make Bond-slaves of them. But to come to Tom and his Master, that he did more work in one day then all his Men would do in three: so that his Master seeing him so tractable, and to look so well after his business, made him his head Man to go into the Marsh to carry Beer by himself, for he needed no Man with him: so Tom went every day to Wisbich, which was a very great journey, for it was twenty Miles the Road-way: Tom going so long that wearisome journey, and finding that that way that the giant kept was nearer by half: Tom having gotten more strength by half then before, by being so well kept, and drinking so much strong Ale as he did; one day he was going to Wisbich, and without saying any thing to his Master or to any of his Fellow-Servants, he was resolved to make the nearest way to be a Road, or loose his life: to win the Horse or loose the Saddle, to Kill or be Killed, if he met with the giant: and with this resolution he goes the nearest way with his Cart, flinging open the Gates for his Cart and Horses to go through; but at last the giant spying him, and seeing him to be so bold, thought to preve●t him, and came intending to take his Beer for a prise; but Tom cared not a Fart for him; and the giant he met Tom like a lion, as though he would have swallowed him: Sirrah, said he, who gave you Authorty to come this way? do you not know that I make all stand in fear of my sight, and you like a Rogue must come and fling my Gates open at your pleasure, how dare you presume to do this? are you so careless of your Life? do you not care what you do? I'll make thee an example for all Rogues under the Sun, dost thou not see how many heads hang upon yonder three, that have offended my Law? but thy Head shall hang higher then all the rest, for an Example; but Tom made him answer, a Turd in your Teeth for your News, for you shall not find me to be like one of them. No, said the giant, why thou art but a Fool, and thou come to fight with such a one as I am, and bring no Weapon to defend thyself withal? said Tom. I have a Weapon here will make you to know you are a Traytorly Rogue: I, Sirrah, said the giant, and took that word in high disdain, that Tom should call him Traytorly Rogue; and with that he ran into his Cave to fetch his great Club, intending to dash out Toms brains at the first blow: Tom knew not what to do for a Weapon, for he knew his Whip would do him but little good against such a Monstrous Beast as he was, for he was in length Twelve Foot, and Six Foot about the Waste: but while the giant went for his Club, Tom bethought himself of a very good Weapon, for he makes no more ado, but takes his Cart and turns it upside down, and takes the Axtle-tree and the Wheel for his Shield and Buckler, and very good Weapons they were in such time of need: The giant coming out again, began to start at Tom, to see him take the Wheel in one hand, and the Axtle-tree in the other to defend himself with; O, said the giant, you are like to do great service with those Weapons, I have here a Twig, said the giant, that will beat thee and thy Wheel, and Axtle-tree at once unto the ground: that which the giant called a Twig, was as thick as some Mill-Posts are; but Tom was not daunted for all that, for he saw there was but one way, to kill or be killed: so the giant made at Tom with such a vehement force, that he made Tom's Wheel crack again, and Tom lent the giant another as good, for he took him such a weighty blow on the side of the head, that he made the giant reel again; what, said Tom, are you drunk with my strong Beer already? the giant recovering, laid on Tom most sad blows, but still as they came Tom kept them off with his Wheel, so that he had no hurt at all; Tom plied his work so well, and laid such huge blows at the giant, that the sweat and blood together, ran down his face, and being fat and foggy, and fighting so long, was almost tired out, asked Tom to let him drink a little, and then he would fight with him again; no, said Tom, my Mother did not teach me that wit, who's a fool then? Tom seeing the giant begin to be weary, and finding him to fail in his blows, he thought best to make Hay while the Sun did shine, for he laid on so fast, as though he had been mad, till he had brought the giant to the ground, the giant seeing himself down, and Tom laying so hard on him, roared in a most sad condition, and prayed him not to take away his life, and he would do any thing for him, and yield himself to him, and be his Servant; but Tom having no more mercy on him then a Dog of a Bear, laid still at the giant till he had laid him for dead, and when he had done he cut off his head, and went into his Cave, and there he found great store of Silver and Gold which made his heart to leap: but when he had done, he loaded his Cart and went to Wisbich, and delivered his Beer, and coming home to his Master, he  told it to him, but his Master was so overjoyed at the News, that he would not believe him till he had seen, and getting up the next day, he and his Master went to see if he spoken true or no, and most of the Town of lin; but when they came to the place and found the giant dead, he shewed them where the Head was, and what Silver and Gold there was in the Cave, all of them leaped for joy, for the giant was a great Enemy to all the Country; this News was spread all up and down in the Country, how Tom Hic-ka-thrift had killed the giant, and well was he that could run or go to see the giant and the Cave, then all the folks made bonfires for joy, and Tom was a better Man respected then before; and Tom took possession of the Cave by consent of the Country, and every one said that he did deserve twi●e as much more; so Tom pulled down the Cave and built him a brave House where the Cave stood; all the Ground that the giant kept by force and strength, some he gave to the Poor for their Common, and the rest he made Pastures of, and divided the most part into good Ground, to maintain him and his Old Mother Jane Hic-ka-thrift; and Toms famed was spread both far and near throughout the Country, and then it was no longer Tom but Mr. Hic-ka-thrift, so that he was the chiefest Man amongst them, for the People fea●ed Toms anger as much as they did the giant before; so Tom he kept Men and Maids, and lived most bravely, and he made him a Park to keep dear in, and by his House, which is a Town, he built a Famous Church, and gave it the Name of Saint James's Church, because he killed the giant on that day, which is to to this hout, and ever will be: And many more good deeds he did, which is too tedious to writ in this volume, but to tell the chief I shall do my endeavour.   

How Tom kept a pack of Hounds, and kicked a Foot-ball quiter away; and how he had like to have been Robbed by four Thieves, and how he escaped.  
TOM having so much about him, and used to it, could hardly tell how for to dispose of it, but yet he did use a means to do it, for he kept a pack of Hounds, and Men to Hunt with them, and who but Tom then; so he took such delight in sport, that he would go far and near to any Meetings, as Cudgel-play, Bare-baiting, Football-play, and the like: But as Tom was riding one day, he seeing a Company at Foot-ball-play, he lighted off his Horse to see that rare Sport, for they were playing for a Wager. But Tom was a Stranger and none did know him there, but Tom soon spoiled their Sport, for he meeting the Foot-ball, took it such a Kick, that they never found their Ball no more; they could see it sly, but whether none could tell, nor to what place: they all wondered at it, and began to Quarrel with Tom, but some of them got nothing by it, for Tom gets a great Spar which belonged to a House that was blown down, and all that stood in his way, he either Killed or knocked down, so that all the Country was up in Arms to take Tom, but all in vain, for he Manfully made way where ever he came; so when he was gone from them, and was going homeward, he chanced to be somewhat late in the Evening on the Road, there met him four lusty Rogues, that had been Robbing of Passengers that way, and none could escape them, for they Robbed all they met both Rich and Poor: they thought when they met Tom they should get a prise, they perceiving he was alone, made them Cock-sure of his Money, but they were mistaken, for he got a prise by them: when they met with Tom, they stroight bid him Stand and Deliver: What, said Tom, what should I deliver? Your Money Sirrah, said they: But, said Tom, you shall give me better Words for it first, and be better Armed too: Come, come, said they, we do not come hither to prate, but we come for Money, and Money we will have before you stir from this place: I, said Tom, is it so? Nay then, said he, get it and take it: So one of them made at him, but he presently unarmed him, and took away his Sword, which was made of good trusty Steel, and smote so hard at the other, that they began to set Spurs to their Horses and be gone, but he soon stayed they journey, one of them having a Portmantle behind him, Tom perceiving it to be Money, fought with more Courage then he did before, till at the last he had Killed two of the four, and the other two he Wounded most grievously, that they cried for Quarter, so with much entreating, he gave them Quarter, but he took all their Money, which was two hundred pound, to bear their Charges home: So when Tom came home, he  told them how he had served the Foot-ball-players, and the four Thieves, which caused a laugh from his old Mother, and to refresh him, went to see how all things did, and what his Men had done since he went from home, and going to the forest, he wandered up and down, and at last met with a lusty Tinker, that had a good Staff on his Shoulder, and a great Dog to carry his Bag and Tools: so Tom asked the Tinker from whence he came, and whether he was going, for that was no High-way: But the Tinker being a sturdy Fellow, bid him go look, and what was that to him, but Fools must be meddling: No, says Tom, but i'll make you know before you and I part, it is to me: I, said the Tinker, I have been these three long years, and have not had one Combat with any Man; I have Challenged many a Man, but none durst make me answer; I think, said he, they be all Cowards in this Country; but I hear there is a Man in this Country which is called Tom Hic-ka-thrift, that killed a giant, him would I fain see, said the Tinker, to have one Combat with him: I, said Tom, but methinks, said he, it might be Master with you, I am the Man, said he, what have you to say to me? Why verily, said the Tinker, I am glad we are so happily met together, that we may have one single touch: Sure, said Tom, you do but jest: mary, said the Tinker, I am in earnest: A match, said Tom; 'Tis done, said the Tinker: But, said Tom, will you give me leave to get me a Twig? I, said the Tinker, hang him that will Fight with a Man unarmed, I scorn that: So Tom steps to a Gate and takes one of the Rails for his Staff, so to it they fell, the Tinker at Tom, and Tom at the Tinker, like two giants they laid on at each other: The Tinker had a Leathern Coat, and every blow Tom gave the Tinker, his Coat roared again, yet the Tinker did not give way to Tom an such: but Tom gave the Tinker a blow on the side of the Head, which felled the Tinker: Now Tinker, where are you, said Tom? But the Tinker being a nimble Fellow, leaped up again and gave Tom a blow made him Reel again, and followed his blows, and took Tom on the other side, which made Toms Neck crack again. So Tom flung down his Weapon and yielded the Tinker the better on't, and took him home to his House, where I shall leave Tom and the Tinker till they be recovered of their sad Wounds and Bruises.   
FINIS.   

 woodcut of man with staff  
 woodcut of Tom at work and fighting a giant