Page:Wonderful and suprising history of Jack the giant-killer.pdf/4

4)HISTORY OF JACK could not perform by force & strength, he compleated by ingenious wit and policy. Never was any person heard of that could worst him, nay, the very learned many times he baffled by his cunning, sharp, and ready inventions.

For instance, when he was no more than seven years of age, his father, the farmer, sent him into the field to look after his oxen, which were then feeding in a pleasant pasture: a country vicar by chance one day coming across the field, called to Jack, and asked him several questions; in particular, How many commandments there were: Jack told him, there were nine. The parson replied, There are ten. Nay, quoth Jack, master parson, you are out in that, it is true there were ten; but you broke one of them with your maid Margery. The parson replied, Thou art an arch wag, Jack: Well master parson, quoth Jack, you have asked me one question, and I have answered it; I beseech you let me ask you another. Who made these oxen?