Page:History of Jack and the giants (3).pdf/12

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handkerchief, saying, You must shew me this one to-morrow morning, or else you lose your head, and with that she put it to her own bosom.

The king's son went to bed very sorrowful, but Jack's cap of knowledge instructed him how to obtain it. In the middle of the night, she called upon her familiar spirit to carry it to her friend Lucifer: Jack soon put on his coat of darkness, with his shoes of swiftness, and was there as soon as her, by reason of his coat they could not see him. When she entered the place, she gave the handkerchief to old Lucifer, who laid it upon the shelf, from whence Jack took, and brought it to his master, who shewed it to the lady the next day, and so saved his life.

The next night she saluted the king's son, telling him he must shew her to-morrow morning the lips that she kissed last this night, or lose his head. Ah! replied he, if you kiss none but mine, I will. 'Tis neither here nor there, said she, if you do not, death's your portion. At midnight she went as before, and was angry with Lucifer for letting the handkerchief away; but now, said she, I'll be too hard for the king's son, for I will kiss thee, and he's to shew thy lips; which she did. Jack standing near him with his sword of sharpness, cut off the devil's head, and brought it under his invisible coat to his master, who was in bed, and laid it at the head of his bolster. In the morning when the lady came up, he pulled it out by the horns, and shewed her the devil's head which she kissed last.

Thus, having answered her twice, the inchantment broke, and the evil spirit left her; at which time she appeared to all beauty; a beautiful and virtuous creature. They were married the next morning, in great pomp and solemnity, and soon after they returned; with a numerous company to the court of King Arthur, where they were received with the greatest joy, and loud acclamation, by the whole