A nobleman and lady
They found to fagots tied,
Who but for timely rescue
That very day had died.

They took Jack to their mansion,
A sumptuous banquet gave,
And early the next morning
By torchlight search the cave.

A loathsome spot they found it ;
Vile reptiles creeping there,
With human bones in plenty,

Strewed here and everywhere.
* * * *

Another monstrous Giant
Infests a neighb’ring wood,
Who wields an iron-spiked club:

None yet his might withstood.

But Reynard has determined
To take him by surprise,
And after two days’ feasting
Again his fortune tries.

His friends give him a fine horse,
And many things beside :

He begs a long and strong rope,
Then starts forth on his ride.

The river is much swollen,
He has to swim across ;

The ford affords no footing
For either man or horse.

From thence at a short distance,
Within a pleasant glen,

They see a rustic hovel,
The mighty Giant’s den,

141 )

 

Jack soon contrived a man-trap—
A kind of running noose,

And fixed it on the stepping-stones ;
The end of rope ran loose.

And, drawn across the river,
Was fastened to the horse:
He means to drown the monster,

In spite of all his force.

When placed to satisfaction,
He raised a mighty shout,
A yell which rends the valley,
And brings the Ogre out.

‘What means all this disturbance,
My worthy horseman, say ?’
Jack raised his hat politely,
And asked about the way.

‘My horse don’t like the water ;
I twice the stream have tried.’
‘Tl come and lead him through, sir,’
The wily one replied.
He glides into the water—
It rises to his waist ;
Another step—he’s over,
Where Jack the noose has placed.

A dext’rous jerk has trapped him,
And thrown him off his feet ;

| The horse now drags him forward—

|
|
\
|

No chance of a retreat.

In vain are all his struggles,
They but accelerate

The moment of destruction :
He feels this, but too late.