Page:History of Jack and the giants (1).pdf/13



ACK having been successful in all his undertakings, resolved not to be idle for the future, but to perform what service he could for the honour of his king and country; he humbly requested of the king his royal master, to fit him with a horse and money, to travel in search of strange and new adventures; for said he, there are many giants yet alive in the remotest part of the kingdom and the dominions of Wales, to the unspeakable damage of your majesty's liege subjects; therefore may it please your Majesty to give me encouragement, and I doubt not but in a short time to cut them off root and branch, and to rid the realm of these cruel giants and devouring monsters of nature.

Now when the king had heard this noble proposition, and had duely considered the mischievous practices of these blood-thirsty giants, he immediately granted what honest Jack requested: and on the first day of Ma chMarch [sic], being thoroughly furnished with all necessaries for his progress, he took his leave not only of King Arthur but like-of all the trusty and hardy knights belonging to the Round Table, who, after much salutation and friendly greeting, they parted; the king and his nobles to their courtly palaces, and Jack to the eager pursuit of fortune's favours, taking with him the cap of knowledge, sword of sharpness, shoes of swiftness and like wise the invisible coat the better to complete the dangerous enterprises that lay before him.