“Son,” said he, “I am sensible thou art the great conqueror of giants,
and it is in thy power to free this part of the country from an
intolerable burden which we groan under. For, behold! my son, on the
top of this high mountain there is an enchanted castle kept by a huge
monstrous giant named Galligantus, who, by the help of an old conjuror,
betrays many knights and ladies into this strong castle, where, by
magic art, they are transformed into sundry shapes and forms. But,
above all, I lament the fate of a duke’s daughter, whom they snatched
from her father’s garden by magic art, carrying her through the air in
a mourning chariot drawn, as it were, by two fiery dragons, and, being
secured within the walls of the castle, she was immediately transformed
into the real shape of a white hind, where she miserably moans her
misfortune. Though many worthy knights have endeavoured to break the
enchantment and work her deliverance, yet none of them could accomplish
this great work, by reason of two dreadful griffins who were fixed by
magic art at the entrance of the castle gate, which destroy any as
soon as they see them. You, my son, being furnished with an invisible
coat, may pass by them undiscovered, and on the brazen gates of the
castle you will find engraved in large characters by what means the
enchantment may be broken.”
The old man having ended his discourse, Jack gave him his hand, with
a faithful promise that in the morning he would venture his life to
break the enchantment and free the lady, together with the rest that
were miserable partners in her calamity.
Having refreshed themselves with a small morsel of meat, they laid them
down to rest, and in the morning Jack arose and put on his invisible
coat, cap of knowledge, and shoes of swiftness, and so prepares himself
for the dangerous enterprises.
Now, when he had ascended to the top of the mountain, he soon
discovered the two fiery griffins. He passed on between them without
fear, for they could not see him by reason of his invisible coat. Now,
when he was got beyond them, he cast his eyes around him, where he
found upon the gates a golden trumpet, hung in a chain of fine silver,
under which these lines were engraved—
“Whosoever shall this trumpet blow
Shall soon the giant overthrow,
And break the black enchantment straight,
So all shall be in happy state.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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