Page:History of Jack and the giants (1).pdf/21

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JACK AND THE GIANTS.
21

him with his iron club upon his shoulder, but coming to the middle of the draw-bridge, when with the weight of his body, and the most dreadful steps he took it broke down, and he tumbled into the water, where he roll'd and wallow'd like a whale, Jack dancing at the side of the moat, laughed at the giant and said—you told me you would grind my bones to powder, here you have water enough pray where is your mill? The giant fretted and formed to hear him scoff an that rate and tho' he plunged from side to side in the moat, yet he could not get out to be revenged on his adversary. Jack at length, got a cart rope and cast it over the giant's two heads, with a slip-knot and by the help of a few horses dragged him out again, with which he was near strangled, and before he could let him loose, he cut off both his heads with his sword of sharpness, in the full view of all the worthy assembly of knights, gentlemen and ladies, who gave a joyful shout when they saw the giant fairly dispatched. Then before he would either eat or drink, he sent these heads also after the other to the court of King Arthur, which being done Jack with the knights and ladies returned to their mirth and pastime which held many days.

How Jack came to the House of an old Hermit, and what discourse happened between them.

AFTER some time spent in triumphant mirth and pastime, Jack grew weary of riotous living, wherefore taking leave of the noblemen and ladies, he set forward in search of new adventures, meeting with nothing remarkable till at length coming to the foot of a high mountain, late at night, he knocked at the door of a lonesome house at which time an ancient man with a head as white as now. arose and let him in. Father said Jack, have you any