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mutton; and in all his parts from top to toe, he was like unto a monster, and yet his great strength was not known.
CHAP. II.
How Thomas Hickathrifts Strength came
to be known.
The first time that his strength was known, was by his mother going to a rich farmer’s house (she being but a poor woman) to desire a bottle of straw to shift herself and her son Thomas. The farmer being a very honest, charitable man, bid her take what she would. She going home to her sone Tom, said, I pray go to such a place and fetch me a bottle of straw, I have asked him leave, He swore he would not go: nay, pray thee, 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
