Chapter IV

With cap and brand,--
You understand
Well what their virtues were,-
And shoes so swift,
His uncle's gift,
Jack canters off like air:
Like air as fleet, and as viewless too,
Intent on doing "deeds of do."

"Over hill and over mountain,
Thorough forest and by fountain,"
Jack flies by day,
Gallant and gay.

Jack flies by day, though none can spy him--
Learn every one
Bored by a dun,
And take a lesson, debtors, by him--
Jack flies by night,
In the moonlight,
No "four-year-old" could have come nigh him.

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At length he came to a forest vast,
Through which his journey led;
When shrieks arose upon the blast,--
"Hallo," said Jack, "who's dead? "

Like a fern owl he flits through the forest trees,
And, as he expected, a Giant he sees,
Dragging a couple along by the hair--
They were a knight and a lady fair,
And theirs was the row that rent the air.

The heart of Jack,
No way slack,
Was melted by their tears and cries;
Benevolent lad!
So he jumps off his prad,
And unto an oak the animal ties:
So Hampshire Squire, when, at the din,
Of hare entrapped in poacher's gin,
His gentle pity melts;
Dismounts him from his gallant steed,
Murmuring, "A purty joak, indeed!"
And to the rescue pelts.