# History of Jack and the giants (1800)

Date is estimated.
THE
HISTORY
OF
Jack and the Giants,
IN ALL ITS PARTS.
CONTAINING,
Printed by J. Morren Cowgate.
THE
HISTORY
OF
JACK AND THE GIANTS.
PART I.
Of his Birth and Parentage and what passed between him and the Country Vicar, &c.
IN the reign of King Arthur near the Lands end of England, namely in the county of Cornwa l there lived a wealthy farmer, who had one only son, command 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 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 posture A country vicar, by chance one day, coming across the field, called 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 parsons you are out of that; it is true they were ten, but you broke one of them ⟨with⟩ your own maid arge y The parson repled, 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 then 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 exploits of Jack. The parson finding himself fool'd, trudg'd away, leaving Jack in a fit of laughter.
How a Giant inhabited the Mount of Cornwall and spoiled the country thereabout.
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 compas of a fierce 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 mens cattle, which often became his prey, for wh nsoever 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 so sake their habitations! then would he seize upon their cows and oxen, of which he would think nothing to carry over on his back half a dozen at a time; and as for the ⟨sharp⟩ and hogs, he would tie them round his waist like a bunch of of bandoliers. This he had for many years practised in Cornwall, which was very much impoverished by him.
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 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, and covered the fame over with long sticks and straw, then strowed a little of the mould upon it so that it appeared like the plain ground.
This done, Jack places himself on the contraryside of the pi , just about the dawning of the day, when putting his horn to his mouth, he then blew ton twivie ton twivie Which unexpected noise round the giant, who came roaring towards Jack crying out, you incorrigible villain, are you come hither to disturb my rest; you shall pay dearly for it; satisfaction I shall 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, you are got into ⟨Job's⟩ Pond, where I shall plague you for your threatning words What do you think now of broiling me for your breakfast? will no other diet serve you bet poor Jack? Thus having tantalliz'd the giant for a while, he gave him a weighty knock upon the crown of the head with his pick axe. so that he immediately tumbled down, gave a most dreadful groan and died. This done, Jack threw the earth upon him and so burried him; then going and searching the cave he found a great quantity of treasure,
Now when the magistrates who employed him heard that it was over, they sent for him and declared, that he should be thenceforth 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 word were wrote in letters of gold.
Here's the right valiant Cornish man, who slew the giant Carmillon.
How Jack while asleep, was taken by a giants, 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 meet with him. This giant kept an enchanted castle, situated in the midst of a lonesome wood Now Jack, about four months after, walking on 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 him: at which time the giant coming thither for water, found him and by the lines written on his belt, knew him to be Jack that killed his brother giant, and therefore without making any words, he threw him upon his back, to carry him to his enchanted castle.
Now as they passed thro' a thicket, the ruffling of the boughs awaked poor Jack, who finding himself in the clutches of the giant, was suddenly surprised, but it was but the beginning of his terrors; for, at the entering within the first walls of the cattle, he beheld the ground all covered with bones and skulls 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 quarters 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 mens hearts and livers were the choisest of his diet, for he commonly (as he said) ate them with pepper and vinegar, adding, that I did not question but his heart would make him a dainty bit." This said, he locks 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 giants prey,
He's gone to fetch his brother who
Will likewise kill and torture you.
This dreadful noise so amazed poor Jack, that he was ready to run destracted, then seeing from the window afar off the two giants coming thither, now quoth Jack to himself, say death or deliverance is at hand,
There was strong cords in the room by him, of which he takes two, at the end of which he makes a noise, 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, when he pulled with his main strength, until he has throatled them; and then fastning the rope to the beam, turning towards the window, while he beheld the two giants to be black in their faces; then sliding down by the rope he came closer to their heads, where the helpless giants could not defend themselves, and drawing with 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 obtainded 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 he was a Welch giant, and what he did was by private and secret malice, under the false show of friendship; Jack telling his condition, he bid him welcome, showing him a room and a bed in it, whereupon he might take this nights repose—Therefore Jack undressed himself, and as the giant was walking to another apartment. Jack heard him mutter to himself these words:—
Tho' here you lodge with me this night, You shall not see the morning light, My club shall dash your brains out right.
Say'st thou so, quoth Jack, that is like one of ​your Welsh tricks, yet I hope to be cunning enough for you. Then getting out of bed he puts a billet in his stead, and hid himself in a corner of the room, and in the dead of the night the giant came with his great knotty club and struck several weighty blows upon the bed where Jack had been lying, and then returned to his 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⟩ three or four claps with her till. Soon after the giant arose and went to breakfast with a bowl of hasty pudding containing near four gallons, giving J cll 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 large knife, he ript open the bag, which the giant supposed to be his belly, when out came the pudding then the Welch giant cried out, Got's plut hur con do dat trick hurself. Then taking his sharp knife, and ript up hit own bely from the bottom to the top, and out dropt his tripes and ⟨trossy⟩ bags, that hur fell down for dead: this Jack outwitted the giant, and proceeded on his journey.
How King Arthur's Son going to seek his Fortune, met with Jack, &c.
KING Arthurs son only desired of his father to furnish him with certain sum of money, that he might go and seek has fortune in the principality of Wales, where a beautiful lady lived who he heard was possessed with seven evil spirits; but the king his father advised him against it, ​yet he would not be persuaded against 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 small 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 ther 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 kings 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, "He hath owed me twopence these five years; pray sir, pay me as well as the 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 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 for refreshment, when done they had not one penny lft betwixt them; the afternoon they spent in travel and fameliar discourse, until 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, well 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, myself will go before, and prepare the way for you; therefore tarry here and wait my return.
He waits, and Jack rides full speed, when coming to the gate of the castle, he knocked with such a force, that he reads 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. Quoth he, what news with my 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. Oh! but quoth Jack, here is the king's son coming with a thousand men in armour to kill you, and so 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 until the king's son is gone.
Now Jack having secured the giant, he soon returned and fetched his master, and were both heartily mercy 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 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 in sunder whatever you strike, and the shoes are of an extrordinary swiftness; these may be of service 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 Spirit out of the 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 a handkerchief, saying, you must show me this one to-morrow, or else lose your head, and with that she put it into her bosom.
The king's son went to bed very sorrowful, but Jack's cap of knowledge instructed him how to obtain it. In the midst of the night she called her famelier spirit, to carry her 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 on a shelf, from whence Jack took it and brought it to his master, and showed it to the lady the next day, and so saved his life.
​The next day she saluted the king's son, telling him he must show her to-morrow morning the lips that she kissed last this night, or loose your head. Ah, replied he, if you kiss none but mine I will. 'Tis neither here nor there, said she, if you do not death's your portion. At midnight she went as before, and was angry with Lucifer for letting the handkerchief go; but now it will be too hard for the king's son, for I will kiss thee and he's to show thy lips which she did: Jack standing near him with his sword of sharpness, cut off the devil's head, and fetched it under his invisible coat to his master, who was in bed, and laid it at the end of his boalster. In the morning when the lady came up, he pulled it by the horns and showed her the devil's lips which she kissed last.
Thus having answered her twice the inchantment broke, and the evil spirit left her, at which time she 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 the history, which new leads us to the second, wherein you have a more full account of the many valiant and wonderful exploits which was done by the bold adventures of this great and valiant hero, Jack the giant killer.
PART II.
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 dominions of Wales, to the unspeakable damage of your majesty's liege subjects; therefore may it please your Majesty to give me encouragement, and 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 this noble proposition, and had duely considered the mischievous practices of these blood-thirsty giants, he immediately granted what honest Jack requested: and on the first day of Ma ch, being thoroughly furnished with all necessaries for his progress, he took his leave not only of King Arthur but like-of all the trusty 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 to the eager pursuit of fortune's favours, taking with him the cap of knowledge, sword of sharpness, shoes of swiftness and like wise the invisible coat the better to complete the dangerous enterprises that lay before him.
How Jack slew the Giant, and delivered a Knight and his Lady from death.
​JACK travelled over vast hills and wonderful mountains, which at the end of three days, he came to a large and spacious wood, thro' which he must needs pass, where on a sudden, to his great amazement, he heard dreadful shrieks and cries whereupon casting his eyes round 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 this 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 tho' he made several passes at him, yet nevertheless it could not reach the trunk of his body, by reason of his height, tho' 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 the body made not only the ground to shake, but likewise 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 setting his foot upon his neck, and said, you savage and barbarous wretch, I am come to execute upon you the just reward of your villainy. And with that, running him thro' and thro', the monster sent forth a hedious groan, and yield up his life into the hands of the valient conquerer 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 courtious 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 monsters 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, it should be the heartbreaking of both me and my lady: so let me persuade you to go with us, and desist from any further pursuit. Nay, quoth Jack, if there be another, nay, were there wenty I would shed the last drop of blood in my body before one of there should escape my fury and when I have finished my task, I will come and pay my respects to you. So taking directions to their habitation, he mounted his horse having 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 brothers return with his cruel prey; his gogle eyes appeared like flames of fire, his countenance grim and ugly, and his cheeks appeared like a couple, of large fat flitchers 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 in to a thicket, then with his coat of darkness he became 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 fee him by reason of his invisible coat, so coming up close to him, valiant Jack fetching a blow at his head with his sword of sharpness, and missing somewhat of his aim, cut off the giants nose, whole nostrils were wider than a pair of jack boots, the pain was terrible, and so he put up his hand to feel for his nose, and when he could not find it, he rav'd and roar'd louder than claps of thunder, and tho' he turned up his large eyes, he could not see from whence the blow ⟨came⟩ which had done him that great disaster; nevertheless, he took up his iron-head club, and began to lay about him like one stark mad. Nay, quoth Jack, if you be for that sport, then I will dispatch you quickly, for fear of an accidental blow falling out. Then as the giant arose from his block Jack makes no more to do but runs his sword up to the hilt in the giant's fundament, where he left it sticking for a while, and stood himself laughing with his heads akimbo, to see the giant caper and dance the canaries with his sword in his arss, crying out, he should die be 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 was like to have crushed poor Jack, had he not been nimble enough to avoide the same.
This being done, Jack cut off both the giant's heads, and sent them both to King Arthur by a waggoner, whom he employed for the purpose, together with an account of his prosperous success in all 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 eater the cave to search of these giants treasure; he passed along thro' many turnings and windings, which led him at length to a room paved with freestone, at the upper end of which was a boiling caldron; then on the right hand stood a large table, whereat he supposed the giants used to dine: then he came to the iron gate, through which he looked, and there beheld vast many miserable captives ⟨who⟩ seeing Jack at distance, cried out with a loud voice. a(illegible text)! 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, of them, I'll tell you we are persons that have been taken by the giants that keep this cave, and here we kept till such time as they have occasion 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 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 have occasion for any more The miserable captives were amazed at these words; you may believe me quoth Jack, for I have slain them with the point of my sword and as for their monstrous heads, I sent them into the court of King Arthur, as a trophies of my unparalleled victory: And in testimony of the truth of what he had said; he unlocked the iron gate, setting the miserable captive at liberty, who all rejoiced like condemned male-factors at ​the fight of a reprive: then leading them together to the foresaid room, he placed them round the table, and set before them two quarters of beaf; as also bread and wine, so that he feasted them very plentifully. Supper being ended they searched the giants coffers, where finding a vast quantity 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 raft, and the next morning they arose and departed, the captives to their respective towns and places of abode, and jack to the knights 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, &c.
IT was about sun rising when Jack mounted his horse to proceed to his journey, and by the help of his directions, he came to the knight's house some time before noon, where he was received with all demonstrations of joy imaginable by the knight and his lady, who, in 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 the manner of 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; ring of gold, on which was engraven by curious art, 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 sad distress you see, Under a giants fierce command, But gain'd our lives and liberty, By valient Jack's victorious band.
​Now among the vast assembly there present, were five aged gentlemen, who were fathers to some of those miserable captives whom Jack had lately set at liberty, who understanding that he was the person that 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 the 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 kinsmen, the above named giants, who was come from the northern pole in search of Jack, to be revenged on him for their most terrible downfall, and was within a mile of the knight's seat, the country people flying before him, from their house and habitations, like chaff before the wind. When they had related this, Jack not a whit undaunted 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 giants death and destruction. To which they all consented, every one wishing him good fortune in that great and dangerous enterprise.
How Jack overthrew the Giants in the Moat, and cut off both his Heads, &c.
THE situation of the knight's house was 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 was 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 to darkness, likewise putting on his shoes of swiftness, he marched forth against the giant, with his sword of sharpness ready drawn, yet when he ca e up close to him the giant could not see Jack, by reason of his invisible coat which he had on: nevertheless, he was sensible some approaching danger, which made him cry out in the following words:
Fe Fi, Fo, Fum, I smell thee blood of an Englishman, Be be 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 ⟨I⟩ should serv thee as did the wo 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 kinmen? 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 thro' fear. The giant with foaming mouth and glaring eyes followed 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 most that belonged to the knight's house, that the gentlemen and ladies 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 pursuiug 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 dancing 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 formed to hear him scoff an that rate and tho' he plunged from side to side 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 a few horses dragged him out again, with which he was near strangled, and before he could 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 saw the giant fairly dispatched. Then before he would either eat or drink, he sent these heads also after the other to the court of King Arthur, which being done Jack with the knights and ladies returned to their mirth and pastime which held 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 noblemen and ladies, he set forward in search of new adventures, meeting with nothing remarkable till at 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 head as white as now. arose 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 thou wilt accept of such accommodations as my poor cottage can afford, thou wilt be right welcome. Jack returned him many thanks for his great civility, whereupon 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 mountain there is an enchanted castle, kept by a huge monstrous giant, named Galligantus, who by the help of an old conjurer, betrays many knights and ladies into this strong castle, where, by magic art, they are transformed into sundry shapes and forms; but, above all, I lament the sad misfortune of a dukes daughter, whom they fetched from her father's garden by art, carrying her thro' the air in a mourning chariot, drawn as it were by two fiery dragons and being secured within the walls of the castle, she was immediately transformed into the real shape of a white hind; tho' 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 dreadful griffins, who were fixed by magic art at the entrance of the castle gate, who destroyed any as soon as they saw them; but you, my son, being furnished with an invisible coat, may pass by them 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 av him his hand with a faithful promise, at in the morning he would venture his life ​to break the enchantment, and free the lady, together with the rest, that were miserable partakers in her calamity.
HAVING refreshed themselves with a small morsel of meat, they said them down to rest, and in the morning Jack arose, put on his invisible coat, his cap of knowledge, and shoes of swiftness.
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 turned his eyes around him, where he found upon the gate a golden trumpet hung in a chain of fine silver under which these lines were written;
Whoever shall this trumpet blow, Shall soon the giants overthrow, And break the black enchantment straight, So all shall be in happy state.
Jack had no sooner read this description, 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 the club, he at one blow with his sword of sharpness, cut off his head. The conjuror seeing this, soon mounted upon the air, and was carried awy by ​a whirl wind. Thus, was the whole enchantment broken, and every knight and lady who had been for a long time transformed into birds and beasts, returned to their proper shape again; and as for the castle, though it seemed at first to be of vast strength and bigness, it vanished awa like a cloudy smoke, whereupon an universal joy appeared among the eleased knights and ladies This being done, the head of Galligantus was likewise according to Jack's 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 forward to the court of King Arthur; with those knights and ladies whom he had so honourably delivered
When coming to his Majesty, and having related all the passages of the firce encounters, his fame rang thro the whole court, and as a reward for his good service, the king prevailed upon the aforsaid duke, to be bestow his aughter in marriage to honest Jack, protesting that there was no person so worthy of her as he, to all which the duke 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 the good services done to the nation, bestowed upon him a 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.
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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