Chapter VI

The lady fair, and the gentle knight,
Scarcely could believe their sight,
When they beheld the Giant "kick;"
Unseen the hand that struck the blow,
And one cried "Ha!" the other "O--h!"
Both making sure it was old Nick.

But joy illumes their wondering mien,
When, doffing his coat of "invisible green,"
Sir Jack appears before their eyes.
"Thanks!" cried the knight, "thou valour's pink!"
"Well!" said the lady, "only think!

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Oh! thank you, saviour of our life!"
"Come home, sir, with myself and wife:--
After such work," the knight pursued--
"A little ale--" "You 'll think me rude,"
Said Jack, "but know, oh worthy peer!
I thirst for glory--not for beer.

I must rout out this monster's den,
Nor can I be at ease till then."

"Don't," begged the knight, "now don't, sir, pray,
Nor run another risk to-day;
Yon mount o'erhangs the monster's lair,
And his big brother waits him there,
A brute more savage than himself;
Then lay your courage on the shelf."

"No!" Sir Jack answered, "if I do,
May I be hanged! Now, mark me, you!
Were there twice ten in yonder hole,
Ere sinks behind yon crag the sun,
The gory head of every one
Before my feet should roll!

Farewell--I 'll call as I come back."
"Adieu," the knight replied; "Alack!
I had forgotten; here's my card."
"Thank you," said Jack, and "bolted hard."