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His little friend the Hedgehog
He takes beneath his arm ;
The Giant bids him welcome—
Jack feels a slight alarm ;

“Of course he'll want to eat me;
My sword and knife I'll hide,

All ready to defend me,
Whatever may betide.’

The hedgehog had one hobby,

And round his neck would dangle,
To practise on at leisure,

A polished steel triangle.

The Giant’s fond of music,
And having lately dined,

Is in the best of humours,
Though old and nearly blind.

He gives a sumptuous supper,
And presses Jack to eat—

His object is to fatten him :
They smile at his deceit.

 

A chamber is in order,

Where they can pass the night :
But long ere morn the hedgehog
Wakes Jack up in a fright.
They hear a step approaching,
And crawl beneath the bed:
(A sack half full of shavings

Is dragged there in their stead.)

The Giant, in the darkness,

To break and crush each bone,

 

Applies his heavy cudgel :
|
Jack feigns a well-timed groan. |

‘You're ready now for breakfast—
Or lunch, as I’m inclined :

I like them young and tender—
He’s small, but never mind.

I rather like that hedgehog,
He seems a clever feller ;

| To pass a winter’s evening

I'll cage him for our Bella.’

‘And is there too, a lady ?’

Thinks Jack, and ‘ Must I kill her?
If she’s of extra stature

I will, or I’m a miller.’

‘Now back again to slumber!’
Cries Hedgehog in a rage ;

‘The rascal wants to kill you,
And put me ina cage!

But at the dawn of daylight
His plans I’ll ferret out,

And-we shall circumvent him,
I have but little doubt.

This Bella’s his grand-daughter,
And came home late at night:

_ I saw the funny creature,

Aged six, seven feet in height.

Like, yet unlike, her grandfather :
She can’t well be thinner,

| He’s fat, and eats like six men—

She often needs a dinner.

I fear lest she may meet you,
And give you a sly scrunch ;

She’d make no bones about it,
But finish you for lunch,’