fo tee 5

They sleep without disturbance ;
The Giant shows surprise

When Jack makes his appearance
(The damsel’s late to rise).

A bowl of smoking porridge
Lies ready on the board ;
And soon Jack and the Giant
Fall to with one accord.

‘I hope that you’ve slept well, sir!
Ours is a roughish place.’
‘ Thank you, quite well!” said Reynard,
‘Though rats ran o’er my face.
Your fine air makes one peckish,
And though you're big, ’tis true,
Tl bet you any wager
I'll eat as much as you.’

 

‘Agreed, agreed, with pleasure !
Let same sized bowls be used ;

’Twill fatten him the quicker,’
He said (aside) amused. |

The boiling porridge burnt him ;
His courage seems to flag ; |

Jack poured the steaming mouthfulls
Into his leather bag.

The Giant’s eyes run water,
He utters groans of pain ;
Jack says, ‘Oh! how delicious !’
And fills his bowl again.

At length both basins emptied,
Jack numbers two to one;
The Giant’s out of temper,

His guest enjoys the fun.

 

The bag puffs out his jerkin ;
The porridge, no light jest

For any weak digestion,
Lies heavy on his chest.

Then Reynard taunts the Giant,
‘You've lost! ah! well I knew

You big folks do the boasting:
We small ones business do.

You monsters all are cowards.
Now see me use my knife :

A pin’s prick will alarm you,
We win in any strife.

Your food don’t suit my stomach,
Which I rip up for fun.’

The foe, by rage nigh maddened,
Will no more be outdone ;

But dashes in his long knife,
And so is overthrown :

Too late he sees his folly,
And falls down with a groan.

Now in there rushes Bella,
The gawky girl of six :
‘What is it ails grandfather ?’
She thinks he’s playing tricks.

But finding he is lifeless,
Cries for Jack to feed her ;

i He has to cut her food up:

How he longs to bleed her !

Her appetite’s voracious!
In fact, young Reynard tires
Of chopping up her victuals,
Yet still she more requires.