Page:History of Jack and the giants (6).pdf/13

13 THE SECOND PART.

How Jack, by King Arthur's leave, went in purſuit of Giants yet alive.

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 dominion of Wales, to the unſpeakable damage of your Majeſty's liege ſubjects; wherefore, may it pleaſe your Majeſty, to give me encouragement, 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 theſe noble propoſitions; and had duly conſidered the miſchievous practices of thoſe blood-thirſty Giants, he immediately granted what honeſt Jack requeſted, and on the firſt day of March, being thoroughly furniſhed with all neceaſſaries for his progreſs, he took his leave, not only of King Arthur, but likewiſe of all the truſty and hardy Knights belonging to the Round Table, when, after much ſalutation and friendly greeting, they parted, the King and his nobles to their country palaces, and Jack the Giant Killer, to the eager purſuit of fortune's favours, taking with him the Cap of Knowledge, Sword of Sharpneſs, Shoes of Swiftneſs, and likewiſe the Inviſible Coat, the better to perfect and complete the dangerous enterprizes that lay before him.