# The History of Jack and the giants (1812)

THE
HISTORY
OF
Jack and the Giants.
IN ALL ITS PARTS.
CONTAINING
I. Jack's Birth and Parentage, his dispute with a Country Vicar, &c. II. How he ſlew a monſtrous Giant on the Mount of Cornwall, and was called Jack the Giant-Killer. III. How King Arthur's ſon met with Jack, and what happened. IV. How Jack ſaved his Maſter's life, drove the evil ſpirits out of a Lady, &c. V. A full account of his victorious conqueſts over the North Country Giants; how he deſtroyed the enchanted caſtle kept by Galligantus; diſperſed the fiery Griffins; put the Conjuror to flight; releaſed many Knights and Ladies; likewiſe a Duke's Daughter, to whom he was married; with many more of his Adventures.
PAISLEY: Printed by J. Neilson. 1812.
THE
HISTORY
OF
JACK AND THE GIANTS.
PART FIRST.
Of his Birth and Parentage, and what paſt between him and the Country Vicar.
IN the reign of King Arthur, near the Land's end of England, namely in the county of Cornwall, there lived a wealthy Farmer, who had one only ſon, commonly known by the name of Jack. He was briſk, and of a lively ready wit, ſo that whatever he could not perform by ſtrength, he completed by ingenious wit and policy. Never was any perſon heard of that could worſt him: nay, the very learned many times he baffled, by his cunning, ſharp, and ready invention
For inſtance, when he was no more than ſeven of age, his father, the farmer, ſent him into the field, to look after his oxen, which were then feeding in a pleaſant paſture. A country Vicar by chance, one day, coming acroſs the field, called Jack, and aſked him ſeveral queſtions, in particular, How many commandments were there? Jack told him There were nine. The parſon replied, you are out of that: it is true there were ten, but you broke one of them with your own maid, Margery. The Parſon replied, thou art an arch wag, Jack. Well, Maſter Parſon, quoth Jack, you have aſked me one queſtion, and I have anſwered it; I beſeech you let ​me aſk you another. Who made theſe oxen? The Parſon replied, God. You are out again, quoth Jack, for God made them bulls, but my father and his man Hobſon made oxen of them. Theſe were the witty exploits of Jack. The Parſon, finding himſelf fooled, trudged away, leaving Jacks in a fit of laughter.
How a Giant inhabited the Mount of Cornwall, and ſpoiled the country there about.
IN thoſe days, the mount of Cornwall was kept by a huge and monſtrous Giant, of twenty-ſeven feet in height, and about three yards in compaſs, of a grim countenance, to the terror of all the neighbouring towns and villages. His habitation was a cave in the midst of the mount, neither would he ſuffer any living creature to inhabit near him: his feeding was upon other men's cattle, which often became his prey, for whenſoever he had occaſion for food, he would wade over to the main land, where he would furniſh himſelf with whatever he could find. For the people, at his approach, would forſake their habitation, then he would take their cows and oxen, of which, he would make nothing to carry over on his back, half a dozen at a time: and as for the ſheep and hogs, he would tie them round his waiſt like a bunch of bandeliers. This he had for many years practiſed in Cornwall, which was very much impoverisſhed by him.
But one day coming to the town hall, when the Magistrates were ſitting in conſternation about the Giant, he aſked what reward they would give to any perſon that would deſtroy him? They anſwered, he ſhall have all the Giant's treaſure in recompence. Quoth Jack, then I myſelf will undertake the work.
How Jack ſlew this Giant, and got the name of Jack the Giant Killer.
JACK having undertaken this taſk, he furniſhed himſelf with a horn, a ſhovel, and a pick axe, and over to the mount he goes in the beginning of a dark winter evening, where he fell to work, and before morning, had digged a pit two and twenty feet deep, and almoſt as broad, and covered the ſame over with long ſticks and ſtraw: then ſtrewed a little of the mould upon it, ſo that it appeared like the plain ground.
This done, Jack places himſelf on the contrary side of the pit, juſt about the dawning of the day, when putting his horn to his mouth, he then blew Tan twivie, tan twivie. Which unexpected noiſe, rouſed the Giant, who came roaring towards Jack crying out, You incorrigible villain, are you come hither to diſturb my reſt, you ſhall dearly pay for it: ſatisfaction I will have, and it ſhall be this; I will take you wholly, and broil you for my breakfaſt.—Which words were no ſooner out of his mouth, but he tumbled headlong into the deep pit, whoſe heavy fall made the very foundation of the Mount to ſhake.
Oh! Giant, where are you now? Faith, your are got into Lob's pond, where I ſhall plague you found your threatening words. What do you think now of broiling me for your breakfaſt? Will no other diet ſerve you, but poor Jack? Thus having tantalized the giant for a while, he gave him a moſt weighty knock on the crown of his head, with his pick axe, ſo that he immediately tumbled down, gave a moſt dreadful groan and died. This done, Jack threw the earth in upon him, and ſo buried him then going and ſearching the cave, he found a great quantity of treaſure.
​Now, when the Magiſtrates who employed him; heard the work was over, they ſent for him, declaring, that he ſhould henceforth be called, Jack the Giant Killer. And in honour thereof, they preſented him with a ſword, together with a fine rich embroidered belt, on which theſe words were wrought in letters of gold,
Here's the right valiant Cornish man, Who ſlew the Giant Cormillan.
How Jack, while aſleep, was taken by a Giant, and how he got his liberty again.
The news of Jack's victory was ſoon ſpread over all the weſtern parts; when another huge Giant, named Blunderboar, hearing of it, vowed to be revenged on Jack, if ever it was his fortune to light upon him. This Giant kept an enchanted caſtle, ſituated in the midſt of a loneſome wood: Now Jack, about four mouths after, walking near the borders of the ſaid wood, on his journey towards Wales, grew very weary, and therefore ſat himſelf down by the ſide of a pleaſant fountain, where a deep ſleep ſuddenly ſeized on him, at which time, the Giant coming thither for water, found him, and by the lines written on his belt, knew him to be he who killed his brother Giant, and therefore, without making any words, he threw him upon his ſhoulder, to carry him to his enchanted caſtle.
Now, as they paſſed through the thicket, the ruſſling of the boughs awaked Jack, who, finding himſelf in the clutches of the Giant, was ſtrangely ſurpriſed, yet it was but beginning of his terrors: for at the entering within the firſt walls of the caſtle, he beheld the ground all covered with bones, and ſculls of dead men, the Giant telling Jack, that his bones would enlarge the number that he ſaw. This ​ſaid, he brought him into a large parlour, where he beheld the bloody quarter of ſome who were lately ſlain, and in the next room were many hearts and livers, which the Giant, to terrify Jack, told him, "That men's hearts and livers were the choiceſt of his diet. For he commonly, as he laid, ate them with pepper and vinegar, adding, that he did not queſtion but his heart would make him a dainty bit" This ſaid, he locks up poor Jack in an upper room, leaving him there, while he went to fetch another Giant living in the ſame wood, that he might be partaker in the pleaſure which they would have in the deſtruction of poor Jack.
Now, while he was gone, dreadful ſhrieks and cries affrighted Jack, eſpecially a voice which continually cried,
Do what you can to get away, Or you'll become the Giant's prey: He's gone to fetch his brother, who Will kill and likewiſe torture you.
This dreadful noiſe ſo amaz'd poor Jack that he was ready to run diſtracted, then ſeeing from the window afar off, the two Giants coming thither, now, quoth Jack to himſelf, death or deliverance is at hand.
There were ſtrong cords in the room by him, of which he takes two, at the end of which he makes a nooſe, and while the Giant was unlocking the iron-gate, he threw the ropes over each of their heads, and then drawing the other acroſs the beam, where he pulled with all his main ſtrength, until he had throttled them; and then faſtening the rope to the beam, turning towards the window, where he beheld the two Giants to be black in their faces; then ſliding down the rope, he came cloſe to their heads, where the helpleſs Giants could not defend themſelves; and drawing out his ſword, ſlew them both, and delivered himſelf from their intended ​cruelty: Then taking the bunch of keys, he unlocked the rooms, where, upon a ſtrict ſearch, he found three fair ladies, tied by the hair of their heads, almoſt ſtarved to death, who told Jack, that their huſbands were ſlain by the Giant, and that they were kept many days without food, in order to force them to feed upon the flesh of their huſbands; which they could not, though they ſhould be ſtarved to death.
Sweet ladies, quoth Jack, I have deſtroyed this monſter and his brutiſh brother, by which I have obtained your liberties. This ſaid, he preſented them with the keys of the caſtle, and ſo proceeded on his journey to Wales.
How Jack travelled into Flintſhire, and what happened.
JACK having but very little money, thought it prudent to make the beſt of his way by travelling as faſt as he could, but loſing his road, was benighted, and could not get a place of entertainment, until he came to a valley, placed between two hills, where ſtood a large houſe in a lonesome place, and by reaſon of his preſent condition, he took courage to knock at the gate, and to his ſurpriſe, there came forth a monſtrous Giant, having two heads, yet he did not ſeem ſo fiery, as the others had been, for was a Welch Giant, and what he did, was by private and ſecret malice, under the falſe ſhew of friendſhip: for Jack, telling his condition, he bid him welcome, ſhewing him a room with a bed in it, whereupon he might take his night's repoſe. Therefore Jack undreſſed himſelf, and as the Giant was walking to another apartment, Jack hears him mutter forth theſe words to himſelf,
Though here you lodge with me this night, You ſhall not ſee the morning light, My club ſhall daſh your brains outright.
​Sayeſt thou ſo, quoth Jack, this is like ſome of your Welch tricks, but I hope to be cunning enough for you. Then getting out of bed, he put a billet in his ſtead, and hid himſelf in a corner of the room, and in the dead time of the night, the Welch Giant came with his great knotty club, and ſtruck ſeveral heavy blows upon the bed where Jack laid the billet, and then returned to his own chamber, ſuppoſing he had broke all the bones in his body.
In the morning, Jack gave him hearty thanks for his lodging. The Giant ſaid to him, How have you reſted? Did you not feel ſomething in the night? Nothing, quoth Jack, but a rat which gave me two or three ſlaps with her tail. Soon after, the Giant roſe and went to breakfaſt with a bowl of haſty pudding, containing near four gallons, giving Jack the like quantity; who, being loth to let the Giant know he could not eat with him, got a large leathern bag, putting it very artfully under his looſe coat, into which he ſecretly conveyed his pudding, telling the Giant, he could ſhew him a trick; then taking a knife, he ripped open the bag, which the Giant ſuppoſed to be his belly, when out came the haſty pudding, at which the Giant cried out, Cots plut, hur can do dat trick hurſelf. Then taking his ſharp knife, he ripped up his belly, from the bottom to the top, and out dropped the tripes and trolly bags, ſo that hur fell down dead, Thus Jack outwitted the Giant, and proceeded on his journey.
How King Arthur's Son, going to ſeck his fortune, met with Jack, &c.
KING Arthur's Son only deſired of his father to furniſh him with a certain ſum of money, that he might go and ſeek his fortune in the principally of Wales, where a beautiful Lady lived, whom he ​heard, as poſſeſſed with ſeven evil ſpirits; but, the King, his father, advised him utterly againſt it, yet he would not be perſuaded off it: ſo that he granted what he requeſted, which was one horſe loaded with money, and another for himſelf to ride on. Thus he went forth without any attendants.
Now, after ſeveral days travel, he came to a market town in Wales, where he beheld a large concourſe of people gathered together; the King's ſon demanded the reaſon of it, and was told, that they arreſted a corpſe for many large ſums of money, which the deceaſed owed when he died. The King's ſon replied, "It is a pity that creditors ſhould be ſo cruel, go bury the dead, ſaid he, and let his creditors come to my lodging, and their debts ſhall be diſcharged" Accordingly they came, and in ſuch great numbers, that before night, he had almoſt left himſelf moneyleſs.
Now, Jack the Giant Killer being there, and ſeeing the generoſity of the King's ſon, he was taken with him, and deſired to be his ſervant. It was agreed upon, and the next morning they ſet forward, when riding out at the town-end, an old woman called after him, crying out, "He has owed me two-pence theſe five years; pray, ſir, pay me as well as he reſt" He put his hand into his pocket, and gave it her, it being the laſt he had left. The King's ſon, turning to Jack, ſaid, I cannot tell how I will ſubſiſt in my intended journey. For that, quoth Jack, take you no thought nor care, let me alone, I warrant you, we will not want.
Now Jack having a ſmall ſpell in his pocket, which ſerved at noon to give them a refreſhment, when done, they had not one penny left betwixt them; the afternoon they ſpent in travel and familiar diſcourſe, till the fun began to grow low, at which time the King's ſon ſaid, Jack, ſince we have ​no money, where can we think to lodge this night? Jack replied, Maſter, we'll do well enough, for I have an uncle lives within two little miles of this; he's a huge and monſtrous Giant, with three heads: he'll fight five hundred men in armour, and make them to fly before him. Alas! quoth the king's ſon, what ſhall we do there? he'll certainly chop us both up at one mouthful! nay, we are ſcarce enough to fill one of his hollow teeth. It is no matter for that, quoth Jack, I myſelf will go before, and prepare the way for you, therefore carry here and wait my return.
He waits, and Jack rides full ſpeed, when coming to the gates of the caſtle, he knocked with ſuch a force, that he made all the neighbouring hills to reſound. The Giant, with a voice like thunder, roared out, Who's there? He anſwered, none but your poor couſin Jack. He replied, dear uncle, heavy news, God wot Prithee, what heavy news can come to me? I am a Giant with three heads, and beſides, thou knoweſt, I can fight five hundred men in armour, and make them fly like chaff before the wind. O! but, quoth Jack, here's the king's ſon coming with a thouſand men in armour, to kill you, and to to deſtroy all that you have! Oh! couſin Jack, this is heavy news indeed: I have a large vault under the ground, where I will immediately hide myſelf, and thou ſhalt lock, bolt, and bar me in, and keep the keys till the king's ſon is gone.
Now Jack, having ſecured the Giant, he ſoon returned and fetched his maſter. They were both heartily merry with the wine and other dainties which were in the houſe: ſo that night they reſted in very pleaſant lodgings, whilſt the poor uncle, the Giant, lay trembling in the vault under ground.
Early in the morning, Jack furniſhed his maſter with a freſh ſupply of gold and ſilver, and then ſet ​him three miles forward on his journey, concluding, he was then pretty well out of the ſmell of the Giant, and then returned to let his uncle out of the hole, who aſked Jack what he would give him in reward, his caſtle was not demoliſhed. Why, quoth Jack, I deſire nothing but the old coat and cap, together with the old ruſty ſword and ſlippers, which are at your bed-head? Quoth the Giant, thou ſhalt have them, and pray, keep them for my ſake, for they are things of excellent uſe. The coat will keep you inviſible, the cap will furniſh you with knowledge, the ſword cuts aſunder whatever you ſtrike, aud the ſhoes are of extraordinary ſwiftneſs, theſe may be ſerviceable to you, and therefore, pray take them with all my heart; Jack takes them, thanking his uncle, and follows his maſter.
How Jack ſaved his Maſter's Life, and drove the evil Spirits out of a Lady, &c.
JACK having overtaken his maſter, they ſoon after, arrived at the Lady's houſe, who, finding the King's ſon to be a ſuitor, ſhe prepared a banquet for him, which being ended, ſhe wiped his mouth with her handkerchief, ſaying, You muſt ſhew me this one to-morrow morning, or elſe loſe your head, and with that ſhe put is into her own boſom.
The King's ſon went to bed very ſorrowful, but Jack's cap of knowledge inſtructed him how to obtain it. In the middle of the night, ſhe called upon her familiar ſpirit to carry it to her friend Lucifer. Jack ſoon put on his coat of darkneſs, with his ſhoes of ſwiftneſs, and was there as ſoon as her; by reaſon of his coat, they could not ſee him. When ſhe entered the place, ſhe gave the handkerchief to old Lucifer, who laid it upon a ſhelf; from whence ​Jack took, and brought it to his maſter, who ſhewed it to the lady the next day, and ſo ſaved his life.
The next night ſhe ſaluted the King's ſon, telling him he muſt ſhew her to-morrow morning, the lips that ſhe kiſsed laſt this night, or loſe his head. Ah! ſaid he, if you kiſs none but mine, I will; 'tis neither here nor there, ſaid ſhe, if you do not, death is your poiſon. At midnight, ſhe went as before, and was angry with Lucifer for letting the handkerchief go. But now, ſaid ſhe, I will be too hard for the King's ſon, for I will kiſs thee, and he's to ſhew thy lips, which ſhe did. Jack ſtanding near him with his ſword of ſharpneſs, cut off the devil's head, and brought it under his inviſible coat to his maſter, who was in bed, and laid it at the end of his bolſter. In the morning when the lady came up, he pulled it out by the horns, and ſhewed her the devil's lips which ſhe kiſſed laſt.
Thus, having anſwered her twice, the enchantment broke, and the evil ſpirits left her; at which time, the appeared in all her beauty, a beautiful and virtuous creature. They were married the next morning, in great pomp and ſolemnity, and ſoon after, they returned with a numerous company to the court of King Arthur, where they were received with the greateſt joy, and loud acclamations by the whole court. Jack, for the many and great exploits he had done for the good of his country, was made one of the Knights of the Round Table.
Thus we have finiſhed the first part of this hiſtory, which now leads us to the ſecond, wherein you have a more full account of the many valiant adventures of this great and valiant Hero, Jack the Giant Killer.
END OF THE FIRST PART.
THE SECOND PART.
How Jack, by King Arthur's leave, went in purſuit of Giants yet alive.
JACK having been ſucceſsful in all his undertakings, reſolved not to be idle for the future, but to perform what ſervice he could, for the honour of his King and country, he humbly requeſted of the King, his royal maſter, to fit him with a horſe and money, to travel in ſearch of ſtrange and new adventures: For, ſaid he, there are many Giants yet alive in the remoteſt part of the kingdom, and the dominion of Wales, to the unſpeakable damage of your Majeſty's liege ſubjects; wherefore, may it pleaſe your Majeſty, to give me encouragement, I doubt not, but in a ſhort time, to cut them off root and branch; and to rid the realm of theſe cruel Giants and devouring monſters of nature.
Now when the King had heard theſe noble propoſitions; and had duly conſidered the miſchievous practices of thoſe blood-thirſty Giants, he immediately granted what honeſt Jack requeſted, and on the firſt day of March, being thoroughly furniſhed with all neceaſſaries for his progreſs, he took his leave, not only of King Arthur, but likewiſe of all the truſty and hardy Knights belonging to the Round Table, when, after much ſalutation and friendly greeting, they parted, the King and his nobles to their country palaces, and Jack the Giant Killer, to the eager purſuit of fortune's favours, taking with him the Cap of Knowledge, Sword of Sharpneſs, Shoes of Swiftneſs, and likewiſe the Inviſible Coat, the better to perfect and complete the dangerous enterprizes that lay before him.
How Jack ſlew a Giant, and delivered a Knight and his Lady from death.
JACK travelled over vaſt hills and wonderful mountains, when at the end of three days, he came to a large and ſpacious wood, through which he muſt needs paſs, where, on a ſudden, to his great amazement, he heard dreadful ſhrieks and cries, whereupon, caſting his eyes around, to behold what it might be, he beheld, with wonder, a Giant ruſhing along with a worthy Knight and his fair Lady, whom he held by the hair of their heads in his hands, with as much eaſe as if they had been but a pair of gloves, the ſight of which, melted poor Jack into tears of pity and compaſſion. Wherefore he alighted from off his horſe, which he left tied to an oak tree, and then putting on his inviſible coat, under which he carried his ſword of ſharpneſs, he came up to the Giant, and though he made ſeveral paſſes at him, yet nevertheleſs, it could not reach the trunk of his body, by reaſon of his height, though it wounded his thighs in ſeveral places, but at length giving him a ſwinging ſtroke, he cut off both his legs, just below the knee, ſo that the trunk of his body made not only the ground to ſhake, but like wiſe the trees to tremble, with the force of his fall, at which, by mere fortune, the Knight and the Lady eſcaped his rage, then had Jack time to talk with him, and letting his foot upon his neck, ſaid, You ſavage and barbarous wretch, I am come to execute upon you the juſt reward of your villany. And with that, running him through and through, the monſter ſent forth a hideous groan, and yielded up his life into the hands of the valiant conqueror, Jack the Giant Killer; while the noble Knight and virtuous Lady were both joyful ſpectators of his ſudden downfal, and their own deliverance.
​This being done, the courteous Knight and his fair Lady not only returned him hearty thanks for their deliverance, but alſo invited him home, there to refreſh himſelf after the dreadful encounter, as likewiſe to receive ſome ample reward, by way of gratitude for his good ſervice. No, quoth Jack, I cannot be at eaſe till I find out the den, which was this monſter's habitation, the Knight hearing this, waxed right ſorrowful, and replied, noble ſtranger, it is too much to run a ſecond riſk, for this noted monſter lived in a den under yon mountain, with a brother of his, more fierce and fiery than himſelf, and therefore, if you ſhould go thither and periſh in the attempt, it would be the heart-breaking of both me and my lady, let me perſuade you to go with us, and deſiſt from any further purſuit: Nay, my quoth Jack, if there be another, nay, were there twenty, I would ſhed the laſt drop of blood in my body, before one of them ſhould eſcape my fury, and when I have finiſhed this taſk, I will come and pay my reſpects to you. So taking directions to their habitation, he mounted his horſe, leaving them to return home, while he went in purſuit of the deceaſed Giant's brother.
How Jack ſlew the other Giant, and ſent both their heads to King Arthur.
JACK had not ridden paſt a mile and a half, before he came in ſight of the cave's mouth, near to the entrance of which, he beheld the other Giant ſitting upon a huge block of timber, with a knotty iron club lying by his ſide, waiting, as he ſuppoſed, for his brother's return with his cruel prey. His gogle eyes appeared like terrible flames of fire, his countenance grim and ugly, and his cheeks appeared like a couple of large fat ſlices of bacon, ​moreover, the briſtles of his head ſeemed to reſemble rods of iron wire: his locks hung down upon his broad ſhoulders, like curled ſnakes, or hiſſing adders.
Jack alighted from his horſe, and put him into a thicket, then with his coat of darkneſs, he came ſomewhat near to behold his figure, and ſaid ſoftly, Oh! are you there? It will not be long before I take you by the beard. The Giant, all this time, could not ſee him, by reaſon of his inviſible coat, ſo coming up cloſe to him, valiant Jack fetching a blow at his head with his ſword, and miſſing ſomewhat of his aim, cut off the Giant's noſe, whoſe noſtrils were wider than a pair of jack-boots, the pain was terrible, and ſo he put his hand to feel for his noſe, and when he could not find it, he raved and roared louder than claps of thunder, and though he turned up his large eyes, he could not ſee from whence the blew came, which had done him that great diſaſter; nevertheleſs, he took up his iron-headed club, and began to lay about him like one ſtark mad. Nay, quoth Jack, if you be for that ſport, I will diſpatch you quickly, for fear of any accidental blow falling out. Then as the Giant sroſe from his block, Jack makes no more to do, but runs his ſword up to the kilt in the Giant's fundament, where he left it ſticking for a while, and ſtood himſelf laughing with his hands a-kimbo, to ſee the Giant caper and dance the canaries, with the ſword in his arſe, crying out, he ſhould die, he ſhould die with the griping of his guts: Thus did the Giant continue raving for an hour or more, and at length fell down dead, whoſe dreadful fall had like to have cruſhed poor Jack, had he not been nimble enough to avoid it.
This being done, Jack cut off both the Giant's heads, and ſent them both to King Arthur, by a ​waggoner, whom he hired for the purpoſe, together with an account of his proſperous ſucceſs, in all his undertakings.
How Jack ſearched their Cave, and delivered many out of Captivity.
JACK having thus diſpatched theſe two monſters, reſolved with himſelf to enter the cave, in ſearch of theſe Giants' treaſure: he paſſed along through many turnings and windings, which led him at length to a room paved with free-ſtone, at the upper end of which, was a boiling cauldron; then on the right hand, ſtood a large table, whereat he ſuppoſed the Giants uſed to dine, then he came to the iron gate, where was a window ſecured with bars of iron, through which he looked, and there beheld a vaſt many miſerable captives, who ſeeing Jack at a diſtance, cried out with a loud voice, Alas! young man, art thou come to be one among us in this miſerable den? Ay, quoth Jack, I hope I ſhall be long here, but pray, tell me what is the meaning of your captivity? Why, ſaid one of them, I'll tell you, we are perſons that have been taken by the Giants that keep this cave, and here we are kept till ſuch time as they've occaſion for a good feaſt, and then the fatteſt among us is ſlaughtered, and prepared for their devouring jaws; it is not long ſince they took three of us for the ſame purpoſe: Nay, many are the times they've dined on murdered men. Say you ſo, quoth Jack, well I have given them both ſuch a dinner, that it will be long enough ere they'll have occaſion for any rare. The miſerable captives were amazed at theſe words. You may believe me, quoth Jack, well I have ſlain them both with the point of my ſword, and as for their monſtrous heads, I ſent them in a waggon to the ​court of King Arthur, as trophies of my unparalleled victory. And in teſtimony of the truth of what he had ſaid, he unlocked the iron gate, ſetting the miſerable captives at liberty, who all rejoiced like condemned malefactors, at the ſight of a reprieve: Then leading them together to the aforeſaid room, he placed them round the table, and ſet before them two quarters of beef, as alſo, bread and wine, ſo that he feaſted them very plentifully; ſupper being ended, they ſearched the Giant's coffers, where, finding a vaſt ſtore of gold and ſilver, Jack equally divided it amongſt them, they all returned him hearty thanks for their treaſure and miraculous deliverance. That night they went to their reſt, and in the morning they aroſe and departed, the captives to their reſpective towns, and places of abode, and Jack, to the Knight's houſe, whom he had formerly delivered from the Land of the Giant.
How Jack came to the Knight's Houſe, and his noble entertainment there, &c.
We were in ſad diſtreſs you ſee, Under a Giant's fierce command, But gain'd our lives and liberty, By valiant Jack's victorious hand.
Now amongſt the vaſt aſſembly there preſent, were five aged gentlemen, who were fathers to ſome of theſe miſerable captives, whom Jack had lately ſet at liberty; who, underſtanding that he was the perſon who performed theſe great wonders, immediately paid him their venerable reſpects: After which, their mirth increaſed, and the ſmiling bowl went freely round to the proſperous ſucceſs of the victorious conqueror. But in the midſt of all their mirth, a dark cloud appeared, which daunted all the hearts of this aſſembly.
Thus it was, a meſſenger brought the diſmal tidings of the approach of one Thunderful, a huge Giant with two heads; who, having heard of the death of his kinſman, the above-named Giant, was come from the northern pole in ſearch of Jack, to be revenged on him for their moſt terrible downfal, and was within a mile of the Knight's ſeat, the country people flying before him, from their houſes and habitations, like chaff before the wind. When they had related this, Jack, not with a tool to pick his teeth, and you gentlemen and ladies, walk but forth into the garden, and you ſhall be the joyful ſpectators of this monſtrous Giant's death and deſtruction. To which they all conſented, every one wiſhing him good fortune, in that great and dangerous enterprize.
How Jack overthrew the Giant on the Moat, and cut of both his heads, &c.
THE ſituation of the Knight's houſe, take as follows: It was placed in the midſt of a ​ſmall iſland, encompaſſed round with a vaſt moat thirty feet deep, and twenty feet wide, over which lay a draw bridge. Wherefore Jack employed two men to cut it on both ſides, almoſt to the middle and then dreſſing himſelf in his coat of darkneſs likewiſe putting on his ſhoes of ſwiftneſs, he marched forth againſt the Giant, with his ſword of ſharpneſs ready drawn, yet when he came cloſe up to him, the Giant could not ſee him, by reaſon of his inviſible coat, which he had on, nevertheleſs he was ſenſible of ſome approaching danger, which made him cry out,
Fe Fi Fo Fum, I ſmell the blood of an Engliſhman, Be he living, or be he dead, I'll grind his bones to mix my bread.
Say'ſt thou ſo, quoth Jack, then thou art a monſtrous miller indeed; But how, if ſhould ſerve thee, as I did the two Giants of late, in my conſcience I ſhould ſpoil your practice for the future. At which time the Giant ſpoke with a voice as loud as thunder; Art thou that villain which deſtroyed my two kinsmen? Then I will tear thee with my teeth, ſuck thy blood, and what is more, I will grind thy bones to powder. You muſt catch me firſt, quoth Jack, and with that he threw off his coat of darkneſs that the Giant might ſee him clearly, and then ran from him as through fear. The Giant, with foaming mouth and glaring eyes, following after like a walking caſtle, making the foundation of the earth as it were to ſhake at every ſtep, Jack led him a dance three or four times round the Moat, that belonged to the Knight's houſe, that the Ladies and Gentlemen might take a full view of this huge monſter of nature, who followed Jack with all his might, but could not overtake him, by reaſon of his ſhoes of ſwiftneſs, ​which carried him faſter than the Giant could follow. At length Jack, to finiſh the work, took over the bridge, the Giant with full ſpeed purſuing after him with his iron club upon his ſhoulder, but coming to the middle of the draw bridge, when, with the weight of his body, and the moſt dreadful ſteps he took, it broke down, and he tumbled into the water, where he roll'd and wallow'd like a whale. Jack, ſtanding at the ſide of the moat, laughed at the Giant, and ſaid, you told me you would grind my bones to powder, here you have water enough, pray where is your mill? The Giant fretted and foamed to hear him ſcoff at that rate, and though he plunged from place to place in the moat, yet he could not get out to be revenged on his adverſary. Jack at length got a cart rope, and caſt it over the Giant's two heads with a ſlip knot, and by the help of horſes dragged him out again, with which he was near ſtrangled, and before he would let him looſe, he cut off both his heads with his ſword of ſharpneſs, in the full view of all the worthy aſſembly of Knights, Gentlemen, and Ladies, who gave a joyful ſhout when they for the Giant fairly diſpatched. Then, before he would either eat or drink, he ſent theſe heads alſo to King Arthur, which being done, Jack, with the Knights and Ladies, returned to their mirth and paſtime, which laſted many days.
How Jack came to the houſe of an old Hermit, and what diſcourſe happened between them.
AFTER ſome time ſpent in triumphant mirth and paſtime, Jack grew weary of riotous living, wherefore, taking leave of the noble Knights and Ladies, he ſet forward in ſeach of new adventures, through, many woods and groves he ​paſſed meeting with nothing remarkable, till at this length, coming to the foot of a high mountain, late at night, he knocked at the door of a loneſome houſe, at which time, an ancient man with a heart as white as ſnow, aroſe and let him in. Father ſaid Jack, have you any entertainment for a benighted ttaveller that has lost his way? Yes, ſaid the old man, if thou wilt accept of ſuch accommodation as my poor cottage will afford, thou ſhall be right welcome. Jack returned him many thanks for his great civility, wherefore down they ſat together, and the old man began to diſcourſe him as follows: "Son, ſaid he, I am ſenſible thou art the great conqueror of Giants, and it is in thy power to free this place of the country free in an intolerable burden which we groan under: For behold, my ſon, on the top of this mountain, there is an enchanted caſtle kept by a huge monſtrous Giant named Galligantus, who, by the help of an old conjuror, betrays many Knights and Ladies into the ſtrong caſtle, where, by Magic Art, they are transformed into ſundry ſhapes and forms, but above all, I lament the ſad misfortune of a Duke's daughter, whom they fetched from her father's garden by art, carrying her through the air in a mourning chariot, drawn, as it were, by two fiery dragon and being ſecured within the walls of the caſtle ſhe was immediately transformed into the real flag of a White Hind; though many worthy Knights have endeavoured to break the enchantment, and work her deliverance, yet none of them could accompliſh this great work, by reaſon of two dreamful Griffins, who were fixed by Magic Art, at the entrance of the caſtle gate, who deſtroys any, ſoon as they ſee them, but you, my Son, being furniſhed with an Inviſible Coat, may paſs by the undiſcovered, where on the brazen gates of the ​caſtle, you will find engraven, in large characters, the means by which the enchantment may be broken"
This old man having ended his diſcourſe, Jack gave him his hand, with a faithful promiſe, that in the morning he would venture his life to break the enchantment, and free the Lady, together with the reſt that were miſerable partners in her calamity.
HAVING refreſhed themſelves with a ſmall morſel of meat, they laid them down to reſt, and in the morning, Jack aroſe and put on his Inviſible Coat, his Cap of Knowledge, and Shoes of Swiftneſs, and ſo prepared himſelf for the dangerous enterpriſe.
Now, when he had aſcended to the top of the mountain, he ſoon diſcovered the two fiery Griffins. He paſſed on between them without fear, for they could not ſee him by reaſon of his Inviſible Coat: Now when he had got beyond them, he caſt his eyes around him, where he found, upon the gate, a golden trumpet hung in a chain of fine ſilver, under which, thoſe lines were engraven:
Whoever ſhall this trumpet blow, Shall ſoon the Giant overthrow; And break the black enchantment ſtraight, So all ſhall be in happy ſtate:
Jack had no ſooner read the inſcription, but he blew the trumpet, at which time the vaſt foundation of the caſtle trembled, and the Giant, together with the Conjuror, were in horrid confuſion, biting their thumbs, and tearing their hair, knowing their wicked reign was at an end. At which ​time ſtanding at the Giant's elbow, as he was ſtooping to take up his club, he at one blow, with his Sword of Sharpneſs, cut off his head. The Conjuror ſeeing this, immediately mounted into the air and was carried away in a whirlwind. This was the whole enchantment broken, and every Knights and Lady, who had been for a long time transformed into birds and beaſts, returned to their proper ſhapes again; and as for the caſtle, though it ſeemed at firſt to be of a vaſt ſtrength and bigneſs, it vaniſhed away like a cloud of ſmoke; whereupon a univerſal joy appeared among the releaſed Knight and Ladies. This being done, the head of Galligantus was likewiſe, (according to Jack's accuſtomed manner) conveyed to the court of King Arthur, and a preſent to his Majeſty. The very next day, after having refreſhed the Knights and Ladies, at the old man's habitation, who lived at the foot of the mountain, he ſet forward to the court of King Arthur, with thoſe Knights and Ladies whom he delivered.
When coming to His Majeſty, and relating all the paſſages of his encounters, his fame rung through the court; and as a reward of his ſervice, the king prevailed with the aforeſaid duke to beſtow his daughter in marriage to Jack; to which the duke honourably conſented: So married they were, and the whole kingdom was filled with joy at the wedding. After which the king beſtowed upon him: noble habitation, with a very plentiful eſtate belonging thereunto, where he and his Lady lived the remainder of their days in great joy and happineſs.
FINIS.
J. NEILSON, PRINTER
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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