The earth above he’ll level,
And, though it sounds absurd,

Will play the part of sexton
When we are safe interred.’

Upon the smoking embers
The dame the pumpkin laid ;
And soon it cracked and opened,
When out the hedgehog strayed.

As soon as tea was over
Jack went in search of fruit,
And rigged him for his journey
In a black velvet suit.

“Oh, mother!’ cried the daughter,
On viewing him with pride,
“You never have intended
Our fortunes to divide ?’

In tears the lovely Flora
Has fallen on her knees ;
‘I really, really love him so,
To part my heart would freeze!’

‘I do not mean to part you,
But you must change your shape :
What say you to attend him,
Disguised as an ape?’

‘Oh, mother! dearest mother !
I hate the very word ;

I'd rather be a reptile—
A viper, ora bird.

I’d rather wear my old dress, .
Though that was most unpleasant;

I’d rather flap my. wings all day,
And be a golden pheasant.’

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‘My dears, my plans are settled,
But as your road I go,

I'll tell you as we travel
All that you need to know.

Jack must work mighty wonders,
And win a warlike name ;

As Jack the Giant-Killer
He shall be known to fame.’

| A rattle like artillery,

A whiz, a sudden crash,
Which shakes the very earth round,
And then a giant splash.

The tott’ring tree falls headlong,
The monstrous branches break,
And in a thousand pieces
Nigh cover all the lake.

Jack at the moment rushes,
To climb the cavern stair ;
There’s nothing of the stem left,
To show ’twas ever there.
The gipsy rising tells him
To draw the soil around,
Leave but a tiny entrance,
Then follow underground.

This done, she lifts the hedgehog,
To scratch about the hole ;

Who hides all trace of staircase,
Then burrows like a mole.

‘Our carriage, Jack, is waiting,
And as we've far to go,
I’ll harness in the pony,
And then we'll drive below.’
P