Jack flies by day, though none can spy him-- Learn every one Bored by a dun, And take a lesson, debtors, by him-- Jack flies by night, In the moonlight, No "four-year-old" could have come nigh him. {037} At length he came to a forest vast, Through which his journey led; When shrieks arose upon the blast,-- "Hallo," said Jack, "who's dead? " Like a fern owl he flits through the forest trees, And, as he expected, a Giant he sees, Dragging a couple along by the hair-- They were a knight and a lady fair, And theirs was the row that rent the air. The heart of Jack, No way slack, Was melted by their tears and cries; Benevolent lad! So he jumps off his prad, And unto an oak the animal ties: So Hampshire Squire, when, at the din, Of hare entrapped in poacher's gin, His gentle pity melts; Dismounts him from his gallant steed, Murmuring, "A purty joak, indeed!" And to the rescue pelts. V. Jack approached the Giant nigh, But the monster was so deucedly high, He could n't reach to his philabeg; But he cut him a little about the leg. The Giant, swearing, roared, "This is A twinge of that beastly 'rheumatis.' {038} I 'll take a dose of 'Blair' to-night; If I don't, I'm ------!" Said Sir Jack, "You 're right!" And he fetched him a blow with all his might; The ham-strings gave, the monster fell. Did n't he screech, and did n't he yell! Did n't the trees around him shake! Did n't the earth to the centre quake! Jack lent him a kick on his loggerhead, And trod on his brawny neck, and said- "Oh, barbarous wretch! I'm Jack--Jack Ketch; I am come for thy crimes to serve thee out; Take this, and this, Iss! iss! iss! iss!" And he riddled the heart of the prostrate lout-- Dear me! how the blood did spout! 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! {039} 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."