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So keep your cattle close, dame,
And call your brave cats out ;
He’s heard of your prize bullocks,
And covets them, no doubt.

A good kick from his toe
Would crush your palisade ;

But pepper him with stones,
And you will check his raid.’

Some cats ascend the palings,
Some cats adjust the stones,

The dame from her top turret
Gives orders in loud tones.

Jack and the lovely Flora
Are told to come inside ;
“You neither must be seen here,
Or there will woe betide!’

In runs the Hedgehog breathless,
‘The Giant’s in the wood!

Let him but gain the open,
Then make his welcome good.’

A crackling ’mongst the branches,
A monstrous form appears,

Of full eight feet in stature ;
The bold cats gave three cheers.

The air at once is darkened,

Some stones have struck his head :
The coward Giant vanished,

And went a week to bed.

Jack, Hedgehog, and fair Flora,
Next morning all combine,
The pathway to his castle
To go and undermine.

132°)

 

 

A sort of natural cavern
They’ve found upon the shore,
Which they can carry further,
Right underneath his door.

A robin on Jack’s shoulder
Sings to relieve his toil ;

The hedgehog bravely burrows,
Whilst Jack removes the soil.

The pig calls at the castle,
Returning with a grin;

And daily of the Giant
He brings a bulletin.

Their works are just completed
As he got well again ;

The dame then issued orders,
A strict watch to maintain.

A pinch of her queer powder
She in the mine bestowed,
And gave the hedgehog signals
To know when to explode.

| To Jack she gave a sharp sword,

A horn to raise a shout ;
To call the foe to battle,
To tempt the monster out.

Directly after breakfast

(They learn from last night’s talk),
The invalid will start out

To take his morning walk.

Jack hides amongst the bushes,
Until he hears a creak ;

The castle doors fly open,
The Giant still seems weak.