Chapter XII

Now Jack the darksome den explores,
And through its turns and windings pores,
'Till to a spacious hall he comes,
Where, o'er the hearth, a cauldron hums,
Much like a knacker's in the slums;

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Hard by, a squalid table stood,
All foul with fat, and brains, and blood;
The two great Ogres' carrion food.

Through iron grate, the board beside,
Pale captive wretches he descried;
Who, when they saw the hero, cried,
"Alas! here comes another, booked,
Like us, poor pris'ners, to be cooked."

"Thank you," said Jack; "the Giants twain
Have _had_ their bellyful of me;
To prove I do not boast in vain,
Behold, my bucks of brass, you 're free!"
And he brast the bars right speedily.

To meat they went, and, supper done,
To the treasury they hied each one
And filled their pockets full of money.
What Giants could want with silver and gold,
In sooth tradition hath not told:--
'T is a question rather funny.