# The History of Jack and the giants (1789)

THE
HISTORY
OF
JACK
AND THE
GIANTS
Printed and ſold at the foot of the Horſe-wynd, 1789.
THE
CONTENTS
PART FIRST
| Chap. I. Of his birth and parentage, and what paſſed between him and a country Vicar, &c. ———II. How a Giant inhabited the Mount of Corn-wall, and ſpoiled the country thereabouts, ———III. How Jack ſlew this Giant, and got himſelf the name of the Giant killer, ———IV. How Jack was taken by a Giant while aſleep, and how he got his liberty again, ———V. How Jack travelled into Flintſhire, and what happened there, ———VI. How king Arthur's ſon, going to ſeek his fortune, met with Jack ———VII. How Jack ſaved his maſter's life, and drove the evil ſpirit out of the Lady, | page. 3 4 ib 5 7 9 11 |
PART SECOND.
| ———VIII. How Jack by King Arthur's leave went in purſuit of Giants yet alive, ———IX. How Jack ſlew Giant, and delivered a knight and his lady from death, ———X. How Jack ſlew the other Giant, and ſent both their heads to king Arthur, ———XI. How Jack ſearched their cave. and delivered many men out of captivity, ———XII. How Jack came to the knight's houſe, and his noble entertainment there, ———XIII. How Jack overthrew the Giant in the moat, and cut off both his heads, ———XIV. How Jack came to the houſe of an old Hermit, and what diſcourſe paſſed, ———How Jack got into the enchanted caſtle, and broke the enchantment. | 13 14 15 17 18 19 21 |
THE HISTORY OF
JACK AND THE GIANTS.
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 the Giant-killer. He was briſk and of a lively ready wit, ſo that whatever he could not perform by ſtrength, he completed by ſtratagem, 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 inventions.
For inſtance, when he was no more than ſeven years 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 to Jack, and aſked him ſeveral queſtions, in particular, how many commandments there were? Jack told him There were nine. The parſon replied, there are ten. Nay, (quoth Jack) maſter parſon 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 made them, child. 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 anſwers of Jack. The parſon finding himſelf fooled, trudged away, leaving Jack in a fit of laughter.
How a Giant inhabited the mount of Cornwall, and ſpoiled the country thereabouts, &c.
IN thoſe days the mount of Cornwall was kept by a huge monſtrous Giant, of 27 feet in height, and about three yards in compaſs, of a fierce and grim countenance, to the terror of all the neighbouring towns and villages. His habitation was in a cave in the midſt of all the mount, neither would he ſuffer any living creature to inhabit near him. His feeding was upon other mens cattle, which often became hiſ prey; for whenever he had occaſion for food, he would wade over the main land, where he would furniſh himſelf with whatever he could find. For the people at his approach would forſake their habitations. Then would he ſeize upon the cows and oxen, of which he would think nothing to carry over his back half a dozen at a time: and as for ſheep and hogs he would tie them round his waiſt like a bunch of bandeliers. This he had for many years practiſe in Cornwall, which was much impoveriſhed by him.
But one day Jack coming to the town Hall, when the magiſtrates were ſitting in conſultation about the Giant; he aſked them what reward they would give to any perſon that would deſtroy him? They anſwered, he ſhould have all the Giant's treaſure in recompenſe. Quoth Jack, then I myſelf will undertake the work.
How Jack ſlew the Giant, and got himſelf the name of JACK the giant-killer.
JACK having undertaken this taſk, he furniſhed himſelf with a horn, a ſhovel, and a pick-ax, 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 forty feet deep, and almoſt as broad, and covered the ſame over with long ſticks and ſtraw, then ſhewing a little of the mould upon it, ſo that appeared like plain ground.
​This done, Jack places him himſelf on the contrary ſale of the pit, juſt about the dawning of the day, when putting the horn to his mouth, he then blew, Tan twivie, Ten twivie. Which unexpected noiſe rouſed the Giant, who came forth roaring towards Jack, crying out, Incorrigible villain! are you come here to disturb my reſt? You ſhall dearly pay for it? Satisfaction I will have, and it ſhall be that I will take you wholly, and broil you to 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 foundations of the mount to ſhake.
Oh Giant! where are you now? Faith you are gotten into Lobb's pond, where I will place you for your threatning 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 upon the crown of the head with his pick ax, that he immediately tumbled down, and giving a moſt dreadful groan he 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 theſe words were wrought letters of gold.
Here's the Right Valiant Corniſh man, Who ſlew the Giant Cormelian.
How Jack was taken by a Giant while aſleep, and how he got his liberty again.
THE news of Jack's victory was ſoon ſpread over all the weſtern parts, ſo that another huge ⟨giant⟩ ​named Blunderboar hearing of it, vowed to be revenged on Jack, if ever it was his fortune to light uppon him. This giant kept an enchanted caſtle ſituated in the midſt of a loneſome wood: Now Jack about four months after, walking near the borders of the ſaid wood, on his journey towards Wales, he grew weary, and therefore ſat himeſlf down by the ſide of a pleaſant fountain, where a deep ſleep ſeized on him; at which time the giant coming there for water found him, and by the lines written upon his belt, knew him to be Jack that killed his brother Giant, and therefore without making any words, he throws him upon his ſhoulder, for to carry him to his enchanted caſtle.
Now as they paſſed throw a thicket, the ruſtling of the boughs awaked poor Jack, who finding himſelf in the clutches of the Giant, he was ſtrangely ſurpriſed; yet it was but the beginning of his terrors: for at the firſt entering within the 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 of thoſe that he ſaw This ſaid, he brought him into a large parlour where he beheld the bloody quarters of ſome that were lately ſlain, and in the next room were many hearts and livers; which the Giant to terrify Jack, told him, 'That mens hearts and livers were the choiceſt of his deit, for he commonly, as he ſaid, eat them with peper 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 when he was gone, dreadful ſhrieks and cries affrighted poor 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 amazed poor Jack, that he was ready to run diſtracted; then ſeeing from a window afar off, the two Giants coming together; now quoth to himſelf, my death or deliverance is at hand.
There were ſtrong cords in the room by him, of which he took two, at the end of which he made 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 end acroſs the beam, where he pulled with all his main ſtrength until he had throatled them; and then faſtening the rope to the beam, turned towards the window, where he beheld the two Giants to be black in their faces; then ſliding down by 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 this intended cruelty. He then taking a bunch of keys, he unlocked the rooms, where, upon a ſtrick 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 would not, if they were 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 pace 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 fierce as the others had been, for he was a Welſh Giant, and what he did was by private and ſecret malice under the falſe ſhew of friendſhip; and Jack telling his condition, he bid him welcome, ſhewing in 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 away to another apartment, Jack heard him mutter theſe few words to himſelf.
Tho' here you lodge with me this night, You ſhall not ſee the morning light My club ſhall daſh your brains out quite,
Sayeſt thou ſo, quoth Jack, this is like one of your Welſh tricks; yet I hope to be cunning enough for you. Then getting out of bed, he put a billet in his ſtead, and hid himſelf in the corner of the room, and In the dead time of the night, the Welſh Giant came with his great knotty club, and ſtruck ſeveral heavy blows upon the bed where Jack had laid the billet and then returned to his own chamber, ſuppoſing he had broken 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 not you feel ſomething in the night? Nothing, quoth Jack, but a rat which gave me three or four ſlaps with her tail. Soon after the Giant aroſe and went to breakfaſt with a bowl of haſty pudding, containg near four gallons, giving Jack the like quantity: who being loath to let the Giant know he could not eat with him, got a large leather bag putting it very artfully under his great coat, into which ​the emperor and many lords aſcended, for the ſake of ſeeing in large a monſter: vaſt numbers of people came alſo upon the ſame errand; and when the workmen found that they had thoroughly ſecured him, they cut all the ſtrings with which he was bound; and upon his riſing upon his legs, they ſhewed the greateſt marks of wonder and a aſtoniſhment...
CHAP. II
The Emperor viſits Mr Gulliver, with other intereſting particulars.
MR Gulliver was no ſooner on his legs, than he was pleaſed at beholding the proſpect of the country: large fields of forty feet Square: woods, at leaſt ſixty feet long; and tall trees, almoſt ſeven feet high and the city on the left hand, which looked like the view of London in a raree ſhew.
The emperor having deſcended from the tower, came forward, with the queen, and many ladies, to examine Mr Gulliver more minutely. He ordered his cooks and butlers to prepare ten waggon loads of meat, and tan of wine; and he and his attendants ſat at ſome diſtance to ſee him dine. With regard to the emperor's perſon, he is taller by a quarter of an inch than any of his ſubjects, which is enough to ſtrike them all with awe. His dreſs was plain and ſimple: but he wore a golden helmet on his head adorned with jewels, and a plume of feathers. He ſuffered Gulliver to take him up into the palm of his hand, after having drawn his ſword to defend himſelf, if he ſhould not be uſed kindly. The emperor ſpoke often to Mr Gulliver, and Mr Gulliver as often anſwered him, but all to no purpoſe, for they could not underſtand one another. When the court withdrew, he ​was left with a ſtrong guard, to prevent the impertinence of the rabble, many of whom, ſuppoſing he would devour all the victims in the country, had this audacity to ſhoot their arrows at him; but the colonel ordered ſix of them to be ſeized, and delivered into his hands, they were immediately bound, and puſhed towards him; he placed them upon his right hand, and made a ſign as if he would eat them up alive; they were greatly affrighted, and ſqualled terribly, when they ſaw him take out his knife; but afterwards looking mildly, and cutting the ſtrings with which they were bound, he placed them gently on the ground, and away they ran as faſt as they were able. This mark of clemency was repreſented much to his advantage at court.
For a fortnight he lay upon the naked pavement of the houſe which was ſmooth ſtone; during which time ſix hundred beds were brought in carriages, and worked up within the building: one hundred and fifty were ſown together in breadth and length, and theſe were four double, which, however, was barely ſufficient to relieve him from the hardneſs of the floor; and in the ſame manner alſo, he was provided with ſheets, blankets and coverlids
The emperor, however, had frequent councils concerning him; the court apprehended his breaking looſe, that his diet would be very expenſive, and cauſe a famine. Sometimes they determined to ſtarve him, or to ſhoot him in the face with poiſoned arrows: but again they foreſaw, that the ſtench of ſo large a carcaſe might produce a plague in the land. In one of theſe conſultations, an officer of the army went to the council chamber, and gave an account of his behaviour to the ſix criminals juſt mentioned, which worked ſo favourably on the mind of his majeſty, that he ſent orders for all the villages within nine hundred ​but quoth Jack, here’s the king's ſon coming with a thouſand men in armour to kill you, and to deſtroy all that you have. Oh! nephew Jack, this is heavy news indeed: I have a large vault under the ground, where I will go immediately and 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, and were both heartily merry with the wine, and other dainties which were in the houſe. So that night they reſted in very pleaſant lodgings, while the poor uncle the Giant lay trembling in the vault under the ground.
Early in the morning, Jack furniſhed his maſter with a freſh ſupply of gold and ſilver, and ſo ſetting 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 that his caſtle was not demoliſhed. Why, quoth Jack, I deſire nothing but the old coat and cap, together with that 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 in ſunder whatever you ſtrike, and the ſhoes are of extraordinary ſwiftneſs: Theſe may be ſerviceable to you, and therefore pray take them with all my heart. Jack takes them, and thanking his uncle, he follows his maſter.
How Jack ſaved his maſter's life, and drove the evil ſpirits out the lady.
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 her mouth with her ​hankerchief, ſaying, you muſt ſhew me this one tomorrow morning, or elſe you loſe your head, and with that ſhe put it into her boſom.
The king's ſon went to be very ſorrowful, but Jack's cap of knowledge inſtructed him how to obtain it. In the middle of the night he called upon her familiar ſpirit to carry her to her friend Lucifer; Jack ſoon put on his coat of darkneſs, with his ſhoes of ſwiftneſs, and was there ſoon as her, by reaſon of his coat they could not ſee him. When ſhe entered the place ſhe gave the hankerchief to old Lucifer, who laid it upon the ſhelf, from whence Jack took it, 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! replied he, if you kiſs none but mine, I will. 'Tis neither here nor there, ſaid he, if you do not, death's your portion. At midnight ſhe went as before, and was angry with Lucifer for letting the handkerchief away; but now, ſaid the, I'll 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 cost to his maſter, who was in bed, and laid it at the head of his bolſter. In the morning when the lady came up, he pulled it out by the horns, and ſhewed her the devil's head, which ſhe kiſſed laſt.
Thus having anſwered her twice, the enchantment broke, and the evil ſpirit left her; at which time ſhe appeared in all 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 greaten joy, and loud acclamations, by the whole ​court. Jack for the many and great exploits he haſt 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 part, wherein you have a most full account of the many valiant and wonderful exploits, which were done by that bold adventrous, great, invinſible, and valiant hero Jack the Giant-killer.
THE SECOND PART.
How Jack, by king Arthur's leave, west in purſuit of Giants alive.
JACK having been ſucceſſful in all it's undertakings, he reſolved not 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 new and ſtrange adventures: For, ſaid he, there are many Giants yet alive in the remoteſt parts of the kingdom, and the dominions of Wales, to the unſpeakable damage of your Majeſty's liege ſubjects; wherefore, may it please your Majeſty to give me encouragement but I doubt not is a ſhort time to cut them off root and branch, and to rid the realm of the Giants and devouring monſters of nature.
Now when the king had heard thoſe noble propoſitions, and had duly conſidered the miſchievous practices of theſe blood-thirsty Giants, he immediately granted what honeſt Jack requeſted; and on the firſt ​day of March, and thoroughly furniſhed with all neceſſaries for his progreſs, he took his leave, not only of king Arthur, but likewiſe of all his truly and hardy Knights belonging to the round table, who, after much ſalutation and friendly greeting, they parted, the king and his nobles to their courtly palaces, and Jack the Giant killer to the eager purſuit of fortune's favour's, taking with him his 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 travelling 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, when on a ſudden, to his great amazement he heard dreadful ſhrieks and cries; whereupon caſting his eyes around to obſerve 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 at much eaſe as if they had been a pair of gloves, the ſight of which melted poor Jack into tears of pity and compaſſion: Whereupon he alighting from off his horſe, which he left tied to an oak tree, and 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 knees, ſo that the trunk of his body made not only the ground to ſhake, but likewiſe the trees to tremble with the force of his fall: at which, by mere good ​extremities of the globe; monarch of all monarchs taller than the ſons of men whoſe feet preſs down to the centre, and whole head ſtikes agrainst the ſun; at whoſe nod the nations tremble, pleaſant as the ſpring, comfortable as the ſummer, fruitful as autumn, dreadful as winter. His ſublime majeſty propoſeth to the Man mountain the following articles, which, by a ſolemn oath, he ſhall be obliged to perform.
Iſt. He ſhall not depart without licence.
2dly, He ſhall not come into the metropolis with out leave.
3dly. He ſhall confine his walks to the high roads, and not lie down in any meadow or corn field.
4thly, he ſhall take care not to trample upon any of our ſubjects, their horſes and carriages.
5thly. If an expreſs requires extraordinary diſpatch, he ſhall be obliged to carry in his pocket the meſſenger and horſe, and return them ſafe and found.
6thly, He ſhall be our ally againſt our enemies
7thly. We ſhall be aiding and aſſiſting to our workmen in raiſing large ſtones for covering the park walls and other royal buildings
Laſtly, That upon the ſatiſfaction of theſe articles, he ſhall have a daily allowance of meat and drink, ſufficient for the ſupport of ſeventeen hundred and twenty four men.
Aſ ſoon as Mr Gulliver had ſworn to, and ſubſcribed theſe articles, his chains were unlocked, and he was at full liberty; he immediately made his açknowledgment by proſtrating himſelf at his majeſty's feet The emperor graciouſly ordered him to riſe, and after many expreſſions of friendship, told him, that he hoped he would prove an uſeful ſervant, and deſerve the favours he had already, or might hereafter confer upon him.
CHAP. IV.
Milendo, the metropolis, deſcribed. Converſation with a principal Secretary.
THE wall of the city of Milendo is two feet and a half high, and ſeven inches broad, ſo that a coach may be driven upon the top of it, and there are ſtrong towers at the diſtance of every ten feet. Mr Gulliver eaſily ſtrode over the wall, and went carefully through the principal ſtreets, in his waiſtcoat only, for fear the ſkirts of his coat might damage the roofs and walls of the houſes. The garret windows, and the tops of houſes, were ſo crowded with ſpectators, that Mr Gulliver imagined the city muſt contain at leaſt five hundred thouſand ſouls. Some of the houſes were five ſtories high, the markets well provided, and the ſhops very rich. The city is an extra ſquare of five hundred feet; two great ſtreets, which divide it into quarters, are five feet wide; the lanes and allies are from twelve to eighteen inches The emperor's palace, which is in the center, is incloſed by a wall two feet high; the outward court is a vaſt ſquare of forty feet, and here ſtand the royal apartments. Theſe Mr Gulliver, by lying down on his ſide, and applying, his face to the windows, had the pleaſure of viewing, and he found them more ſplendid than could be imagined. He ſaw the empreſs and the young princeſs in their ſeveral lodgings, and her majeſty was pleaſed to put her hand out at the window for him to kiſs.
About a fortnight after Mr Gulliver obtained his liberty, he was viſited by Reldreſal, the principal ſecretary. Reldreſal complimented him on his liberty, and entered into a political converſation with great ​down dead, whoſe dreadful fall had like to have cruſhed poor Jack, had he not been nimble enough to have avoided the ſame.
This being done, Jack cut off both the Giants heads, and ſent them both to King Arthur, by a waggoner whom he had hired for that purpoſe, together with an account of his proſperous ſucceſs in his undertakings.
How Jack ſearched their cave, and delivered many men 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 caldron; then on the right hand ſtood a large table, whereat be ſuppoſed the Giants uſed to dine; then he came to an 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 not tarry long here: But pray tell me what is the meaning of your captivity? Why, ſaid one young man, I'll tell you, we are perſons that have been taken by the Giants that keep this cave, and here are we kept till ſuch time as they have occſsion for a particular 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 times they have dinned entirely on murdered men, ſay you ſo, quoth Jack, well, I have given them both ſuch a dinner, that it will be long enough e're they'll have occaſion for any more. The miſerable captives were amazed at his words. You may believe me, ​quoth Jack, for I have ſlain then 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 unparalelled victory. And for a teſtimony of the truth of what he said he unlocked the iron gate, ſetting the miſerable captives at liberty, who all rejoiced like condemned malefactors at the ſight of a reprive: Then leading them all together to the aforeſaid room, he placed them round the table, and ſet before then 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, whose finding a vaſt ſtore of gold and ſilver, Jack equally divided it amongſt them; they all returned their 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 hands of the Giant.
How Jack came to the knight's houſe, and his noble entertainment there.
IT was about ſun riſing when Jack mounted his horſe to proceed on his journey, and by the help of the directions he came to the knight's houſe ſome time before noon, where he was received with all demonſtration of joy imaginable by the knight and his lady, who in an honourable reſpect to Jack, prepared a feaſt which lasted for many days, inviting all the gentry in the adjacent parts, to whom the worthy knight was pleaſed to relate his former danger, and the happy deliverance, by the undaunted courage of Jack the Giant killer: And by way of gratitude, he preſented him with a ring of gold, on which was engraven by a curious artist, the picture of the Giant dragging a diſtreſſed knight and his fair lady by the hair of their heads, with this motto:
We were in great 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 thoſe miſerable captives which Jack had lately ſet at liberty, who underſtanding that he was the perſon that performed thoſe great wonders, they immediately paid their venerable reſpects. After which their mirth increaſed, and the ⟨ſinking⟩ bowls 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 Thunderdel, a huge Giant with two heads, who having heard of the death of his kinſmen, the above named Giants, was come from the northern pole in ſearch after Jack, to be revenged on him for their moſt miſerable 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 a whit daunted, ſaid, Let him come, I am prepared with a tool to pick his teeth, and you ladies and gentlemen, 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 conſent, every one wiſhing him good fortune in that great and dangerous enterprize.
How Jack overthrew the Giant in the moat, and cut off both his heads.
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 matches forth againſt the Giant with his ſword of ſharpneſs ready drawn: yet when he came cloſe up to him, the Giant could not ſee Jack, by reaſon of his invisible coat which he had on, yet nevertheleſs he was ſenſible of ſome approaching danger, which made him cry out in theſe following words:
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,
Says thou ſo, quoth Jack, then thou art a monſtrous miſter indeed: But how if I 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 will I 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 of his coat of darkneſs that the ⟨Giant⟩ might ſee him clearly, and then run from him ⟨as⟩ through fear. The Giant with foaming mouth ⟨and⟩ glaring eyes, following after like a walking caſtle, making the foundations of the earth, as it were, ⟨to⟩ tremble 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 that he took it broke down, and he tumbled into the water, where he roll'd and wallowed like a whale: Jack ſtanding at the ſide of the most laughed at the Giant, and ſaid, You told me you would grind by bones to powder here you have water enough, pray where is your mill? The Giant fretted and frowned to hear him ſcoff at that rate, and though he planned from place to place in the moat; yet he could put out to be revenged on his adverſary. Jack at length took a cut rope, and caſt it over the Giant's two heads, with ſhip knot, and by the help of a team 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 view of all the worthy aſſembly of knights, ladies, and gentlemen, who gave a joyful ſhout when they ſaw the Giant fairly diſpatched. Then before he would either eat or drink, he ſent theſe heads alſo, after the others to the court of King Arthur which being done, then 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 paſſed between then.
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 the ſearch of new adventures. Through many groves and woods he paſſed, meeting with nothing remarkable, till at the length coming to the foot of high mountain late at night, he knocked at the door of a loneſome houſe at which time an ancient man, with a head as white as snaw, ⟨came⟩ and let him in———Father, ſaid Jack, have you any entertainment for a benighted traveller that has loſt his way? Yes, ſaid the old man, If you will ⟨accept⟩ ​of ſuch accomodation as my cottage will afford, thou ſhalt 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 from an intolerable burden which we groan under for behold, my ſon, on the top of this high mountain there is an enchanted caſtle, kept by a huge monſtrous Giant, named Galgantus, who, by the help of an old conjuror betrays many knights and ladies into his 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 morning chariot, drawn as it were by two fiery dragons, and being ſecured within the walls of the caſtle, he was immediately transformed into the real ſhape of a white hind; many worthy Knights have attempted deliverance, yet none of them could accompliſh this great work, by reaſon of two dreadful Griffins, who are fixed by magic art at the entrance of the caſtle gate, which deſtroys any as ſoon as they ſee them: But you, my ſon, being furniſhed with an inviſible coat, may paſs by them undiſcovered; where upon the brazen gates of the caſtle, you will find engraven in large characters, by what 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.
Now when he had aſcended to the top of the mountain, he ſoon diſcovered the two Griffins; ſo he paſſed on between without fear, for they could not ſee him by reaſon of his inviſible coat. Now when he was got beyond them, he caſt his eyes around him, where he found upon the gates a golden trumpet, hung in a chain of fine ſilver, under which theſe lines were engraven.
Whoever ſhall this trumpet blow, Shall ſoon the Giant overthrow, And break the black enchantment ſtreight, So all ſhall be in a happy ſtate.
Jack had no ſooner read this 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 Jack 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. Thus was the whole enchantment broke, and every knight 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 an univerſal joy appeared among the releaſed knights and ladies. This being done, the head of Galgantus was likewiſe, according to his accuſtomed manner conveyed to the court of King Arthur, as a preſent ​made 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 foreward for the court of King Arthur, with thoſe Knights and ladies he had ſo honourably delivered.
When coming to his majeſty, and having related all the paſſages of his fierce encounters, and his fame rang through the whole court, and as a reward of his good ſervice, the king prevailed with the aforeſaid duke to beſtow his daughter in marriage on honeſt Jack, proteſting that there was no man ſo worthy of her as he, to all which the duke very honourably conſented. So married they were, and not only the court but likewiſe the kingdom was filled with joy and triumph at the wedding, after which the king as a reward for his good ſervices done to the nation, beſtowed upon him a noble habitation, with a very plentifull eſtate belonging thereunto, where he and his lady lived the remainder of their days in great joy and happineſs.
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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