Jack The Giant Killer. Leigh Percival

Is just what plases me;

               I mane to night on yours to sup,

               Stay here until you 're aten up

               He spoke, and turned the key.

           "A pretty business this!" quoth Jack,

                When he was left alone;

           "Old Paddy Whack,

                I say! come back —

           I wonder where he's gone?"

            In ghastly moans and sounds of wail,

            The castle's cells replied;

            Jack, whose high spirits ne'er could quail,

            Whistled like blackbird in the vale,

            And, "Bravo, Weber!" cried.

            When, lo! a dismal voice, in verse,

            This pleasant warning did rehearse: —

IX

            "Haste!" quoth the hero, "yes, but how?

            They come, the brutes! – I hear them now.'

            He flew to the window with mickle speed,

            There was the pretty pair indeed,

            Arm-in-arm in the court below,

            O'Blunderbore and his brother O.

            "Now then," thought Jack, "I plainly see

            I 'm booked for death or liberty; —

            Hallo! those cords are 'the jockeys for me.'

X

           Jack was nimble of finger and thumb —

           The cords in a moment have halters become

               Deft at noosing the speckled trout,

               So hath he caught each ill-favoured lout:

               He hath tethered the ropes to a rafter tight,

               And he tugs and he pulls with all his might,

               "Pully-oi! Pully-oi!" till each Yahoo

               In the face is black and blue;

           Till each Paddy Whack

           Is blue and black;

           "Now, I think you're done brown," said courageous Jack.

           Down the tight rope he slides,

           And his good sword hides

           In the hearts of the monsters up to the hilt;

           So he settled them each:

           O'Blunderbore's speech,

           Ere he gave up the ghost was, "Och, murder, I'm kilt!"

XI

               The dungeons are burst and the captives freed;

           Three princesses were among them found —

               Very beautiful indeed;

           Their lily white hands were behind them bound: