Page:History of Jack and the giants (1).pdf/20

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THE HISTORY OF

middle, and then dressing himself in his coat to darkness, likewise putting on his shoes of swiftness, he marched forth against the giant, with his sword of sharpness ready drawn, yet when he ca e up close to him the giant could not see Jack, by reason of his invisible coat which he had on: nevertheless, he was sensible some approaching danger, which made him cry out in the following words:

Fe Fi, Fo, Fum,
I smell thee blood of an Englishman,
Be be living or be he dead
I'll grind his bones to mix my bread.

Say'st thou so, quoth Jack, then thou art a monstrous miller indeed: But how if I should serv thee as did the wo giants of late in my conscience I should spoil your practice for the future. At which time the giant spoke with a voice as loud as thunder art thou that villain which destroyed my two kinmen? then I will tear thee with my teeth, suck thy blood, and what is more, I will grind thy bones to powder. You must catch me first, quoth Jack, and with that he threw off his coat of darkness, that the giant might see him clearly and then ran from him as thro' fear. The giant with foaming mouth and glaring eyes followed after like a walking castle, making the foundation of the earth, as it were, to shake at every step. Jack led him a dance three or four times round the most that belonged to the knight's house, that the gentlemen and ladies might take a full view of this huge monster of nature, who followed Jack with all his might, but could not overtake him by reason of his shoes of swiftness which carried him faster than the giant could follow. At length Jack to finish the work, took over the bridge, the giant with full speed pursuiug after