Oh, would I had been nearer !’
(The Giant strikes a blow,

Which almost crushed the table ;)
‘This club had laid him low.’

Jack feels a warm reception
Is waiting for him here ;

He’s watching for a chance now,
To drug the monster’s beer.

The Dame has mixed a potion,
Which if a mortal drinks

It robs him of his senses,
And he in torpor sinks.

The mug of foaming ale there
Stands near the Giant’s side,
But how is Jack to reach it?

The Hedgehog means supplied.

He stole unto the entrance,
Then scratching near the door,

Attracts the.foe’s attention,
Who laughs at what he saw.

Head over heels the queer pig
Rolls onward like a ball ;
The Giant, rushing after him,
A moment leaves the hall.

Jack darts and drugs his liquor—
Has scarcely time to hide,

Ere backward with the Hedgehog
- He hears the Giant stride.

What means this tingle, tingle,
This jingle and this jangle ?

The monster, with amazement,
Sees Hedgehog play triangle!

189 )

| Now lolling ’gainst a pillar,
| He tossed off half the beer ;
| The flavour was not pleasant,
The smell seems somewhat queer.

Another mouthful tasted,
Is cast upon the ground ;
He now appears to stagger,
His head swim round and round.

He falls, and Jack out rushes—
The fit may soon be past ;
He must not lose a half chance,

The first may be the last.

With pain the monster shrieking,

Rolls over on the floor ;
Let Jack elude his strong grasp,
Or his weak life’s soon o’er.

From side to side oft springing,
His blade but gives a smart ;
Tis hard to wound his feelings,
To touch the monster’s heart.

| But after perseverance
Jack gives the fatal blow ;
When, hark! there’s a commotion,
A quarrel down below!

Footsteps are now approaching,
Jack glides to his recess ;

When lo! to his amazement,
In stalks a Giantess.

| She finds her husband dying,
And crying ‘Oh, my dear!

| I wonder how he did it ?

Ah! has he drunk the beer ?’