The happy pair, the nuptials o'er, Start in a handsome coach-and-four For good King Arthur's court; Jack, on the box in easy pride, Sits by the portly coachman's side-- Oh, my! what bows they sport. The train behind that followed--oh! It far outshone the Lord Mayor's show; {034} And e'en the grand display When, to our Prince to give a name, His Majesty of Prussia came To England t' other day. XII. Now Arthur's seat they reach: not that Where royal Arthur never sat-- Dun Edin's famous mound. Loud shouts of joy the welkin crack, And Arthur dubs our hero Jack, Knight of the Table Round. And now, in Pleasure's syren lap, Sir Jack indulges in a nap- I crave his grace--Sir John! Flirts with the fairest dames at court, And drinks, noblest lords, the port-- This comes of "getting on." [Illustration: 063] {035} [Illustration: 064] JACK SETTLES THE REMAINING GIANTS AND SETTLES DOWN I. "Tantara tara, tantara tara, tantara tara,--ra! Tara tara, tara, tara, tara, tantararan ta--ta!" II. Hark to the warlike trumpet blast, the clarion call of fame! Bounds not the hero's heart if he is worthy of the name? What time the trump and kettle-drum at glorious Drury Lane, Call bold King Dick to bide the brunt of Bosworth's battle plain; So, to the soul of stout Sir Jack, Adventure's summon spoke, And from her dream of luxury his martial spirit woke. Before King Arthur's royal throne he knelt upon his knee, And thus with courtly speech addressed his gracious Majesty:-- III. "Illustrious Arthur, King of Trumps, My duty bids me stir my stumps; Fell Giants yet, your country's pest, Your faithful liegemen much molest; 'T is my intention, if you will, Their uncouth _highnesses_ to kill. {036} I crave some loose cash and a cob, And trust me, sire, I 'll do the job, As sure as fate, for every snob." "Why," said the King, "your plan's romantic And yet't is true those rogues gigantic Have wrought my subjects much annoy:-- Well; go and prosper, Jack, my boy; I hope and trust you 'll put them down; So here's a horse, and--half-a-crown. 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.