GSS

His breathing mocks a tempest,
When breakers lash the shore ;

But oh! tis worse than thunder
When he begins to snore!

Jack’s for a moment daunted,
At loss what next to do;

Then cuts an oval panel,
Which he can enter through.

’*Tis in a darksome corner,
The bark he can replace,
And with string-made hinges,

So none the door may trace.

The Giant, now grown restless,
Begins to yawn and gape,

And whistles for his servant ;
When lo! appears an ape.

‘I cannot sleep for dreaming
Of some rich feast to come!
There’s young blood near ; I smell it!
So jolly, fee-fo-fum !’

The careless monkey looked out,
But never glanced within.

‘ There’s no provisions here, sir.
Worse luck!’ He gave a grin.

“Go, fetch the golden pheasant,
And mind that she’s well drest :

Bring, too, the box of dominoes ;
Ill play as I can’t rest.’

Full dressed, the lady soon came ;
His eyes Jack scarce believes ;

She’s neither roast nor boiled, but

[decked

In pinafore with sleeves !

 

She perched upon a table,
Beside the Giant’s bed,

And with him played at dominoes :
Jack noted all they said.

‘Tl bet you, quoth the Giant,
‘Some oats, you young blackleg !’

‘And I,’ replied the Pheasant,
‘Will lay a golden egg.’

They played—the giant cheated,
The Golden Pheasant lost ;

But still strove ’gainst his foul play,
Until three eggs it cost.

Then both all of a sudden,
Rolled off o’erpowered by sleep :
When Jack creeps through the panel,
Those eggs to snatch and keep.

The door secured behind him,
He rapidly descends ;

To make another visit
He very soon intends.

The three eggs in the morning
He found were solid gold ;

In weight about six ounces,
For many pounds they’re sold.

Next eve again he clambered,
And sought his door again ;

Within he heard a growling,
The Giant was in pain.

A pair of apes attended,
And brought him various fruit ;
But still he groaned in anguish,
Their remedies don’t suit.