Jack had no sooner read this inscription but he blew the trumpet,
at which time the vast foundation of the castle tumbled, and the
giant, together with the conjuror, was in horrid confusion, biting
their thumbs and tearing their hair, knowing their wicked reign was
at an end. At that time Jack, standing at the giant’s elbow, as he
was stooping to take up his club, at one blow, with his sword of
sharpness, cut off his head. The conjuror, seeing this, immediately
mounted into the air and was carried away in a whirlwind. Thus was the
whole enchantment broken, and every knight and lady, that had been
for a long time transformed into birds and beasts, returned to their
proper shapes and likeness again. As for the castle, though it seemed
at first to be of vast strength and bigness, it vanished in a cloud of
smoke, whereupon an universal joy appeared among the released knights
and ladies. This being done, the head of Galligantus was likewise,
according to the accustomed manner, conveyed to the court of King
Arthur, as a present made to his majesty. The very next day, after
having refreshed the knights and ladies at the old man’s habitation
(who lived at the foot of the mountain), Jack set forward for the court
of King Arthur, with those knights and ladies he had so honourably
delivered.
Coming to his majesty, and having related all the passages of his
fierce encounters, his fame rang through the whole court, and, as a
reward for his good services, the king prevailed with the aforesaid
duke to bestow his daughter in marriage to honest Jack, protesting that
there was no man so worthy of her as he, to all which the duke very
honourably consented. So married they were, and not only the court, but
likewise the kingdom were filled with joy and triumph at the wedding.
After which the king, as a reward for all his good services done for
the nation, bestowed upon him a noble habitation with a plentiful
estate thereto belonging, where he and his lady lived the residue of
their days in great joy and happiness.
THE FAIRIES’ CUP.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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