Cae 5

Jack challenges to battle,
He backs to fetch his club ;
‘A penny drum or rattle
Would better suit this cub.

I’m not quite convalescent !
So please excuse delay :
Soon with anihilation
Your rashness I’ll repay.

That witch has sent you here, child,
I thank her for a meal ;

I want a change of diet,
A mooncalf makes good veal.’

‘Dont talk, but fight!’ cried Reynard; |

‘I want to try my blade:
Yet think not I shall eat you,
Of carrion I’m afraid.’

The Giant rushes forward —
The mine explodes—and then
He feels much elevated,
But soon subsides again.

His body is half buried,
His glance is one of woe ;
Jack raises up a pickaxe,
And deals the fatal blow.

The frightened menials dash out,

‘The witch! the witch!’ they cry: |

They care not for their master,
Before ten cats they fly.

The Hedgehog now appears, too,
Whose temper seems unhinged ;
In letting off the powder
His tail got rather singed.

 

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‘I give you, Jack, this castle,
And all it may contain !
Though locked up for the present,
‘Till you more vict’ries gain.
The Giant next to conquer,
Your skill must meet alone ;
But as he’s almost silly,
May be with ease o’erthrown.

| This very day you start forth,

The Hedgehog knows the way ;
He must not hear the tidings,
Of what we’ve done to-day.

This bag will hold provisions,
For you have far to go;

| I’m sure you'll be successful,

Your brave young heart I know.’
* * * *

Jack parted, and the Hedgehog
Cried, ‘ Here’s your carriage now !’

(And there’s the little creature
Self-harnessed to a bough.)

Jack seats him on the soft leaves,
And off his brave steed goes,

Some six miles in the hour ;
Fatigue he seldom knows.

The branch floats on the river,
Which twice they have to cross ;

| Jack. though a tidy swimmer,

Is drawn o’er by his horse.

At length the Giant’s castle
Appears as fades the light ;

Jack knocks, and as a trav’ler
Seeks shelter for the night.