The Story of Jack and the Giants | Page 4

I have an uncle who
lives within two miles of this place; he is a huge and monstrous Giant,
with three heads; he'll fight five hundred men in armour, and make
them flee before him."
[Illustration: Jack alarmeth his Three-headed Uncle]
"Alas!" quoth the Prince, "what shall we do there? he'll certainly chop
us up at a mouthful. Nay, we are scarce enough to fill his hollow
tooth."
"It is no matter for that," quoth Jack; "I myself will go before, and
prepare the way for you; therefore tarry and wait till I return."
Jack then rode off full speed, and coming to the gate of the castle, he
knocked so loud that the echo from the neighbouring hills resounded
like thunder.
The Giant, terribly vexed, roared out, "Who's there?"
"None but your poor cousin Jack," answered he.
"What news with my poor cousin Jack?"
He replied, "Dear uncle, heavy news."
"God wot," quoth the Giant, "prithee what heavy news can come to me?
I am a Giant with three heads; and besides, though knowest I can fight
five hundred men in armour, and make them fly like chaff before the
wind."
"Oh, but," quoth Jack, "here's the Prince a-coming, with a thousand
men in armour, to kill you, and destroy all that you have!"
"Oh, cousin Jack," said the Giant, "this is heavy news indeed! I will
immediately run and hide myself, and thou shalt lock, bolt, and bar me
in, and keep the keys till the Prince is gone."

Jack joyfully complied with the Giant's request; and fetching his master,
they feasted and made themselves merry, whilst the poor Giant lay
trembling in a vault underground.
In the morning, Jack furnished the Prince with a fresh supply of gold
and silver, and then sent him three miles forward on his journey, as he
would then be pretty well out of the smell of the Giant. Jack then
returned, and liberated the Giant from the vault, who asked what he
should give him for saving the castle.
"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's head."
Quoth the Giant, "Thou shaft 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, and the shoes are of extraordinary
swiftness. These may be serviceable to you: therefore take them, with
all my heart."
They soon arrived at the dwelling of the beautiful lady, who was under
the power of a wicked Magician. She received the Prince with fair
words, and made a noble feast for him; when it was ended, she arose,
and wiping her mouth with a fine handkerchief, said, "My Lord, you
must shew me this handkerchief to-morrow, or lose your head." She
then went out of the room, taking the handkerchief with her.
The Prince went to bed right sorrowful; but Jack put on his cap of
knowledge, which told him that the lady was forced, by the power of
the enchantment, to meet the wicked Magician every night in a forest.
Jack now put on his coat of darkness and his shoes of swiftness, and
went to the forest, where he saw the lady give the handkerchief to the
Magician, Whereupon Jack; who was surrounded by a host of evil
spirits, with his sword of sharpness, at one blow cut off his head, and
regained the handkerchief for the Prince; the enchantment was ended in
a moment and the lady restored to her virtue and goodness.
[Illustration: Jack delivereth the Lady from the Enchanter]

She returned with the Prince to the court of King Arthur, where they
were received with welcome; and the valiant Jack was made one of the
Knights of the Round Table.
[Illustration: Jack is dubbed a Knight by King Arthur]

PART THE THIRD.
[Illustration: He is accourted by Ladies. Initial]
Jack resolved not to live in idleness for the future, but to do what
services he could for the honour of the king and the nation. He
therefore humbly besought King Arthur to furnish him with a horse and
money, that he might travel in search of new and strange exploits.
"For," said he to the King, "there are many Giants yet among the
mountains of Wales, and they oppress the people: therefore, if it please
you, Sire, to favour my designs, I will soon rid your kingdom of these
Giants and monsters."
When the King heard this offer, and thought of the cruel deeds of these
bloodthirsty Giants and savage monsters, he gave Jack every thing
proper for such a journey.
[Illustration: He discovereth a Giant above the Trees]
Thereupon