(

His eyes at length are opened--
Indeed they opened wide—
To find a lovely damsel
Close seated by his side.

‘J am your Golden Pheasant !
Have made another change ;

And took the time you rested
My toilet to arrange.’

Oh! wasn’t she most charming ?
Jack ne’er had seen before

A being half so lovely :
He only could adore.

“And may I hope to win you,
To gain you for my bride ?’

‘I am your Golden Pheasant!’
The charming maid replied.

She raised her little fingers,
And then the engaging thing,
Pointed with smiles and blushes,
To the engaged ring.
But true love ne’er runs smoothly :
Jack had but snatched one kiss,
And pressed her to his fond heart,
Ere something checked his bliss.

A monstrous bird descending,
Whose black wings cloud the air,

Perched on.a low bough near them,
And frights the trembling pair.

Jack rushes up to shield her,

And draws his long sharp knife :
‘My darling, Pll defend you,

As long as I have life.’

lll)

{
i

But see! the eagle changes,
Her feathers soften down—

| Oh, wonder and amazement !—

 

 

mat
|

{

Into a hood and gown.

The eagle’s beak has altered
Into a gipsy’s nose ;

The daughter, crying ‘ Mother !’
Her arms around her throws.

‘You're over-young to marry,
My dears!’ the matron said ;

‘But you shall mate each other
Ere many months have fled.

But Jack must do some bold deeds
Ere settling down for life;

Then he shall have a fortune,
And a princess for his wife.

To-day he starts his journey,
And you this tree forsake:

For ere the hour of midnight
Twill fall into the lake.

The hollow trunk is rotten,

And charred with last night’s fire.
At once remove all treasure

You any way desire.

Except the gold and jewels,
There’s little else to save: .

These we will hide for safety
Within my secret cave:’

Jack, by the gipsy’s order,

Dug in the trunk, and there,
Some feet below the surface,.
He found a secret stair. -