Their taste was most delicious,
But when he cracked a stone

He found, in place of kernel,
A pair of boots full grown.

He quickly broke another,
And there he found a coat ;
In next a pair of trousers;
In pocket a short note.

‘On Friday after sunset,

When dressed in your new suit,
Alone go with your lantern,

And seek the beanstalk root.’

Each night fresh fruit descended,
In which, securely packed,
He found most useful raiment,

When he the shells had cracked.

One day he thought to climb it,
But, sadly pierced and torn,

Fell, and left half his jacket
Upon a giant thorn.

The beanstalk had a small rent,
Which every morning shrunk ;

In this he placed his garments—
He used it for a trunk.

Oh, how he longed for Friday !
Then hurried out with glee,

Taking his old dark lantern,
To seek the wondrous tree.

The aperture has widened—
He enters with a grin,

And finds a small rope ladder
Securely placed within.

100+)

I

 

| °Tis wondrous strange!’ thought Reynard ;

“Of course I shall ascend :
I want to scale the tree-top,
And see the other end.’

Hand over hand he rises,
But climbing finds no jest,

The great height much surprises ;
He seeks a moment’s rest.

It took nigh twenty minutes
Before he struck his head
Against the hollow tree-roof,

Which widened like a shed.

His lantern raised, he tapped round,
Sought where the bark was thin,
When lo! a voice like thunder
In answer cried, ‘Come in!’

But Jack, for ever wary,

Thought, ‘ Here I’d rather bide,
Until I can discover

Who’s there on t’other side.’

With darkened lamp he listened,
And just heard nothing more

For full the next five minutes;
Then lo! a sudden snore.

He then sought round for entrance,
But ne’er a door could find,

So carved a little peep-hole
To see what is behind.

Upon a bed of bean-leaves
A mighty giant lays ;

The rising moon reveals him,
To Jack’s astonished gaze.