Favorite Fairy Tales, JACK THE GIANT-KILLER

JACK THE GIANT-KILLER JACK DER RIESENKILLER JACK THE GIANT-KILLER ДЖЕК УБИЙЦА ВЕЛИКАНОВ

IN the reign of the famous King Arthur, there lived, near the Land's End of England, in the county of Cornwall, a worthy farmer who had an only son named Jack. WÄHREND der Herrschaft des berühmten Königs Arthur lebte in der Nähe von Land's End in England in der Grafschaft Cornwall ein würdiger Bauer, der einen einzigen Sohn namens Jack hatte. IN the reign of the famous King Arthur, there lived, near the Land's End of England, in the county of Cornwall, a worthy farmer who had an only son named Jack. ВО ВРЕМЯ правления знаменитого короля Артура жил-был недалеко от края Англии, в графстве Корнуолл, достойный фермер, у которого был единственный сын по имени Джек. Ünlü Kral Arthur döneminde, İngiltere'nin Land's End yakınlarında, Cornwall bölgesinde, Jack adında tek bir oğlu olan değerli bir çiftçi yaşardı. Під час правління знаменитого короля Артура неподалік від краю Англії, в графстві Корнуолл, жив гідний фермер, який мав єдиного сина на ім’я Джек. Jack was a boy of a bold temper; he took pleasure in hearing or reading stories of wizards, conjurors, giants, and fairies, and used to listen eagerly while his father talked of the great deeds of the brave knights of King Arthur's Round Table. Jack war ein Junge von kühnem Temperament; er hatte Freude daran, Geschichten von Zauberern, Beschwörern, Riesen und Feen zu hören oder zu lesen, und pflegte eifrig zuzuhören, wenn sein Vater von den großen Taten der tapferen Ritter der Tafelrunde von König Artus sprach. Джек был мальчиком дерзким; он с удовольствием слушал или читал рассказы о волшебниках, фокусниках, великанах и феях и жадно слушал, когда его отец рассказывал о великих подвигах храбрых рыцарей Круглого стола короля Артура. Jack cesur bir çocuktu; büyücülerin, sihirbazların, devlerin ve perilerin hikayelerini duymaktan veya okumaktan zevk alırdı ve babası, Kral Arthur'un Yuvarlak Masa'sındaki cesur şövalyelerin büyük işlerinden söz ederken hevesle dinlerdi. When Jack was sent to take care of the sheep and oxen in the fields, he used to to amuse himself with planning battles, sieges, and the means to conquer or surprise a foe. Когда Джека посылали присматривать за овцами и волами в поле, он имел обыкновение развлекаться планированием сражений, осад и способов победить или застать врага врасплох. Jack tarlalardaki koyun ve öküzlere bakmaya gönderildiğinde, savaşlar, kuşatmalar ve bir düşmanı fethetme ya da şaşırtma yollarını planlayarak kendini eğlendirirdi. He was above the common sports of children, but hardly any one could equal him at wrestling; or, if he met with a match for himself in strength, his skill and address always made him the victor. Er stand über den gewöhnlichen Sportarten der Kinder, aber kaum jemand konnte ihm im Ringen gleichkommen; oder, wenn er sich selbst an Stärke gewachsen war, machten ihn seine Geschicklichkeit und Ansprache immer zum Sieger. Он был выше обычных детских игр, но едва ли кто-нибудь мог сравниться с ним в борьбе; или, если он встречал соперника по силе, его умение и обращение всегда делали его победителем. Sıradan çocuk sporlarının çok üstündeydi, ama güreşte neredeyse hiç kimse onunla boy ölçüşemezdi; ya da güç konusunda kendisiyle boy ölçüşecek biri çıksa bile, becerisi ve hitabeti onu her zaman galip getirirdi.

In those days there lived on St. Damals lebte auf St. В те времена жил на ул. O günlerde St. Michael's Mount, of Cornwall, which rises out of the sea at some distance from the main-land, a huge giant. Michael's Mount in Cornwall, der sich in einiger Entfernung vom Festland aus dem Meer erhebt, ein riesiger Riese. Гора Михаила в Корнуолле, возвышающаяся над морем на некотором расстоянии от материка, представляет собой огромного великана. Cornwall'daki Michael's Dağı, ana karadan biraz uzakta denizden yükselen devasa bir dağdır. He was eighteen feet high and three yards round, and his fierce and savage looks were the terror of all his neighbors. Er war achtzehn Fuß hoch und hatte einen Durchmesser von drei Metern, und sein grimmiges und wildes Aussehen war der Schrecken aller seiner Nachbarn. Boyu on sekiz metre, çevresi üç metreydi ve vahşi bakışları tüm komşularını dehşete düşürüyordu. He dwelt in a gloomy cavern on the very top of the mountain, and used to wade over to the main-land in search of his prey. Dağın en tepesindeki kasvetli bir mağarada yaşar ve avını aramak için ana karaya doğru yürürdü. When he came near, the people left their houses; and after he had glutted his appetite upon their cattle he would throw half a dozen oxen upon his back, and tie three times as many sheep and hogs round his waist, and so march back to his own abode. Als er näher kam, verließen die Leute ihre Häuser; und nachdem er seinen Appetit an ihrem Vieh gesättigt hatte, würde er ein halbes Dutzend Ochsen auf seinen Rücken werfen und dreimal so viele Schafe und Schweine um seine Taille binden und so zurück zu seiner eigenen Wohnung marschieren. O yaklaştığında, insanlar evlerini terk ederdi; ve onların sığırlarıyla karnını doyurduktan sonra, yarım düzine öküzü sırtına atar, üç katı kadar koyun ve domuzu beline bağlar ve böylece kendi evine doğru yürürdü. Коли він наближався, люди виходили з домівок, а він, наївшись їхньої худоби, закидав собі на спину півдюжини волів, прив'язував до пояса втричі більше овець і свиней і так повертався до своєї оселі.

The giant had done this for many years, and the coast of Cornwall was greatly hurt by his thefts, when Jack boldly resolved to destroy him. Dev bunu yıllarca yapmıştı ve Cornwall kıyıları onun hırsızlıklarından büyük zarar görmüştü ki Jack cesaretle onu yok etmeye karar verdi. He therefore took a horn, a shovel, a pickaxe, and a dark lantern, and early in a long winter's evening he swam to the Mount. Bu nedenle bir boynuz, bir kürek, bir kazma ve karanlık bir fener aldı ve uzun bir kış akşamının erken saatlerinde dağa doğru yüzdü. Тож він узяв ріг, лопату, кирку і темний ліхтар, і рано ввечері довгої зими поплив на гору. There he fell to work at once, and before morning he had dug a pit twenty-two feet deep and almost as many broad. There he fell to work at once, and before morning he had dug a pit twenty-two feet deep and almost as many broad. Там он сразу же принялся за работу и к утру вырыл яму глубиной двадцать два фута и шириной почти столько же. Orada hemen işe koyuldu ve sabah olmadan yirmi iki ayak derinliğinde ve neredeyse bir o kadar da genişliğinde bir çukur kazmıştı. Там він одразу ж взявся до роботи і до ранку вирив яму двадцять два фути завглибшки і майже стільки ж завширшки. He covered it over with sticks and straw, and strewed some of the earth over them, to make it look just like solid ground. Üzerini çalı çırpı ve samanla örttü ve sağlam bir zemin gibi görünmesi için üzerlerine biraz toprak serpti. Він накрив його палицями і соломою, а зверху присипав землею, щоб виглядало, як тверда земля. He then put his horn to his mouth, and blew such a loud and long tantivy that the giant awoke and came towards Jack, roaring like thunder: “You saucy villain, you shall pay dearly for breaking my rest; I will broil you for my breakfast.” He had scarcely spoken these words when he came advancing one step farther; but then he tumbled headlong into the pit, and his fall shook the very mountain. Sonra borusunu ağzına dayadı ve öyle yüksek ve uzun bir tantivy üfledi ki, dev uyandı ve gök gürültüsü gibi kükreyerek Jack'e doğru geldi: "Seni arsız alçak, istirahatimi bozmanın bedelini çok ağır ödeyeceksin; seni kahvaltım için kızartacağım." Daha bu sözleri söylememişti ki, bir adım daha ilerledi; ama sonra çukura yuvarlandı ve düşüşü dağı bile sarstı. Потім він приклав ріг до рота і засурмив так голосно і протяжно, що велетень прокинувся і, ревучи, як грім, підійшов до Джека: "Ти, нахабний лиходію, дорого заплатиш за те, що порушив мій спокій; я засмажу тебе на сніданок". Не встиг він вимовити ці слова, як наблизився ще на крок, але тут же впав стрімголов у яму, і від його падіння затряслася сама гора.

“Oho, Mr. Giant!” said Jack, looking into the pit, “have you found your way so soon to the bottom? "Oho, Bay Dev!" dedi Jack, çukura bakarak, "dibe inmenin yolunu bu kadar çabuk mu buldun? How is your appetite now? İştahın nasıl şimdi? Will nothing serve you for breakfast this cold morning but broiling poor Jack?” Wird dir an diesem kalten Morgen nichts zum Frühstück dienen, als den armen Jack zu grillen?“ Bu soğuk sabahta kahvaltı için zavallı Jack'i kızartmaktan başka bir şey yapmayacak mısınız?"

The giant now tried to rise, but Jack struck him a blow on the crown of the head with his pickaxe, which killed him at once. Dev ayağa kalkmaya çalıştı ama Jack kazmasıyla başının tepesine bir darbe indirerek onu hemen öldürdü. Jack then made haste back to rejoice his friends with the news of the giant's death. When the justices of Cornwall heard of this valiant action, they sent for Jack, and declared that he should always be called Jack the Giant-killer; and they also gave him a sword and belt, upon which was written, in letters of gold: Cornwall yargıçları bu yiğitçe eylemi duyunca Jack'i çağırttılar ve ona her zaman Dev Katili Jack deneceğini ilan ettiler; ayrıca ona üzerinde altın harflerle yazılmış bir kılıç ve kemer verdiler:

“This is the valiant Cornishman Who slew the giant Cormoran.”

The news of Jack's exploits soon spread over the western parts of England; and another giant, called Old Blunderbore, vowed to have revenge on Jack if it should ever be his fortune to get him into his power. Jack'in kahramanlıklarının haberi kısa sürede İngiltere'nin batı bölgelerine yayıldı; ve Yaşlı Blunderbore adındaki bir başka dev, eğer Jack'i kendi gücüne almak kısmet olursa ondan intikam almaya yemin etti. The giant kept an enchanted castle in the midst of a lonely wood. Dev, ıssız bir ormanın ortasında büyülü bir şatoya sahipti. About four months after the death of Cormoran, as Jack was taking a journey into Wales, he passed through this wood, and as he was very weary he sat down to rest by the side of a pleasant fountain, and there he fell into a deep sleep. The giant came to the fountain for water just at this time and found Jack there; and as the lines on Jack's belt showed who he was, the giant lifted him up and laid him gently upon his shoulder to carry him to his castle; but as he passed through the thicket the rustling of the leaves waked Jack, and he was sadly afraid when he found himself in the clutches of Blunderbore. Dev tam bu sırada su içmek için çeşmeye gelmiş ve Jack'i orada bulmuş; Jack'in kemerindeki çizgiler onun kim olduğunu gösterdiğinden, dev onu kaldırmış ve şatosuna götürmek üzere nazikçe omzuna atmış; ama çalılıkların arasından geçerken yaprakların hışırtısı Jack'i uyandırmış ve kendini Blunderbore'un pençelerinde bulunca çok korkmuş. Yet this was nothing to his fright soon after; for when they reached the castle he beheld the floor covered all over with the skulls and bones of men and women. Yine de bu, kısa süre sonra yaşadığı korkunun yanında hiçbir şeydi; çünkü şatoya vardıklarında zeminin her tarafının erkek ve kadınların kafatasları ve kemikleriyle kaplı olduğunu gördü. The giant took him into a large room, where lay the hearts and limbs of persons who had been lately killed; and he told Jack, with a horrid grin, that men's hearts, eaten with pepper and vinegar, were his nicest food, and, also, that he thought he should make a dainty meal on his heart. When he had said this he locked Jack up in that room, while he went to fetch another giant, who lived in the same wood, to enjoy a dinner off Jack's flesh with him. While he was away, Jack heard dreadful shrieks, groans, and cries from many parts of the castle; and soon after he heard a mournful voice repeat these lines:

“Haste, valiant stranger, haste away, Lest you become the giant's prey. On his return he'll bring another, Still more savage than his brother; A horrid, cruel monster who, Before he kills, will torture you. Oh, valiant stranger! haste away, Or you'll become these giants' prey.” This warning was so shocking to poor Jack that he was ready to go mad. He ran to the window and saw the two giants coming along arm in arm. This window was right over the gates of the castle. “Now,” thought Jack, “either my death or freedom is at hand.”

There were two strong cords in the room. Jack made a large noose with a slip-knot at the ends of both these, and, as the giants were coming through the gates, he threw the ropes over their heads. Джек сделал большую петлю с узлом на обоих концах и, когда великаны проходили через ворота, накинул веревки им на головы. He then made the other ends fast to a beam in the ceiling, and pulled with all his might, till he had almost strangled them. Затем он прикрепил другие концы к балке в потолке и тянул изо всех сил, пока почти не задушил их. When he saw that they were both black in the face, and had not the least strength left, he drew his sword and slid down the ropes; he then killed the giants, and thus saved himself from a cruel death. Jack next took a great bunch of keys from the pocket of Blunderbore, and went into the castle again. He made a strict search through all the rooms, and in them found three ladies tied up by the hair of their heads, and almost starved to death. They told him that their husbands had been killed by the giants, who had then condemned them to be starved to death, because they would not eat the flesh of their own dead husbands.

“Ladies,” said Jack, “I have put an end to the monster and his wicked brother; and I give you this castle and all the riches it contains, to make you some amends for the dreadful pains you have felt.” He then very politely gave them the keys of the castle, and went farther on his journey to Wales.

As Jack had not taken any of the giant's riches for himself, and had very little money of his own, he thought it best to travel as fast as he could. At length he lost his way, and when night came on he was in a lonely valley between two lofty mountains. Наконец он заблудился, и когда наступила ночь, он оказался в уединенной долине между двумя высокими горами. Нарешті він заблукав, і коли настала ніч, він опинився в самотній долині між двома високими горами. There he walked about for some hours, without seeing any dwelling-place, so he thought himself very lucky at last in finding a large and handsome house. He went up to it boldly, and knocked loudly at the gate; when, to his great terror and surprise, there came forth a monstrous giant with two heads. Он смело подошел к ней и громко постучал в ворота; когда, к его великому ужасу и удивлению, появился чудовищный гигант с двумя головами. He spoke to Jack very civilly, for he was a Welsh giant, and all the mischief he did was by private and secret malice, under the show of friendship and kindness. Он разговаривал с Джеком очень вежливо, потому что тот был валлийским великаном, и все шалости, которые он делал, были тайными и тайными злодеяниями, под видом дружбы и доброты.

Jack told him that he was a traveller who had lost his way, on which the huge monster made him welcome, and led him into a room where there was a good bed in which to pass the night. Jack took off his clothes quickly; but though he was so weary he could not go to sleep. Джек быстро снял одежду; но, хотя он был так утомлен, он не мог заснуть. Soon after this he heard the giant walking backward and forward in the next room, and saying to himself:

“Though here you lodge with me this night, You shall not see the morning light; My club shall dash your brains out quite.” «Хотя ты проведешь здесь ночь со мной, Ты не увидишь утреннего света; Моя дубина вышибет тебе мозги. «Хоч ти тут ночуєш у мене цієї ночі, ти не побачиш ранкового світла; Моя дубинка виб’є вам мізки».

“Say you so?” thought Jack. — Ты так говоришь? подумал Джек. «Ви так говорите?» — подумав Джек. “Are these your tricks upon travellers? But I hope to prove as cunning as you.” Then, getting out of bed, he groped about the room, and at last found a large, thick billet of wood; he laid it in his own place in the bed, and hid himself in a dark corner of the room. Но я надеюсь оказаться таким же хитрым, как ты. Потом, встав с постели, он шарил по комнате и нашел, наконец, большой, толстый брусок дерева; он положил его на свое место в постели, а сам спрятался в темном углу комнаты. Але я сподіваюся виявитися таким же хитрим, як ти». Тоді, вставши з ліжка, він пошарпав по кімнаті й нарешті знайшов велику товсту дерев’яну заготовку; він поклав його на своє місце в ліжку, а сам сховався в темному кутку кімнати. In the middle of the night the giant came with his great club, and struck many heavy blows on the bed, in the very place where Jack had laid the billet, and then he went back to his own room, thinking he had broken all his bones. Серед ночі велетень прийшов зі своєю великою палицею і завдав багато важких ударів по ліжку, саме в тому місці, де Джек поклав заготовку, а потім повернувся до своєї кімнати, думаючи, що зламав усе своє. кістки. Early in the morning Jack put a bold face upon the matter, and walked into the giant's room to thank him for his lodging. Рано-вранці Джек сміливо заговорив про це й увійшов до кімнати велетня, щоб подякувати йому за проживання. The giant started when he saw him, and he began to stammer out: “Oh, dear me! Велетень здригнувся, побачивши його, і почав затинатися: «Ой, боже! is it you? це ви? Pray how did you sleep last night? Моліться, як ви спали минулої ночі? Did you hear or see anything in the dead of the night?” Глухої ночі ви щось чули чи бачили?»

“Nothing worth speaking of,” said Jack, carelessly; “a rat, I believe, gave me three or four slaps with his tail, and disturbed me a little, but I soon went to sleep again.”

The giant wondered more and more at this, yet he did not answer a word, and went to bring two great bowls of hasty-pudding for their breakfast. Гігант усе більше дивувався цьому, але не відповів ні слова, а пішов принести дві великі миски швидкого пудингу на сніданок.

Jack wished to make the giant believe that he could eat as much as himself, so he contrived to button a leathern bag inside his coat, and slipped the hasty-pudding into this bag, while he seemed to put it into his mouth. Jack wished to make the giant believe that he could eat as much as himself, so he contrived to button a leathern bag inside his coat, and slipped the hasty-pudding into this bag, while he seemed to put it into his mouth. Джек хотел заставить великана поверить, что он может съесть столько же, сколько он сам, поэтому он ухитрился застегнуть кожаный мешочек внутри своего пальто и сунул в этот мешочек пудинг на скорую руку, а сам, казалось, брал его в рот. Джек хотів змусити велетня повірити, що він може їсти стільки ж, скільки він сам, тож він застібнув шкіряний мішечок у своєму пальті й посунув у нього квапливий пудинг, у той час як він, здавалося, клав його собі в рот. When breakfast was over, he said to the giant, “Now I will show you a fine trick; I can cure all wounds with a touch; I could cut off my head one minute, and the next put it sound again on my shoulders; you shall see an example.” He then took hold of the knife, ripped up the leathern bag, and all the hasty-pudding tumbled out upon the floor. Когда завтрак был окончен, он сказал великану: "Сейчас я покажу тебе прекрасный фокус; я могу вылечить все раны одним прикосновением; я могу отрезать голову в одну минуту, а в следующую снова водрузить ее на плечи; ты увидишь пример". Затем он взял в руки нож, разорвал кожаный мешок, и весь пудинг высыпался на пол.

“Ods splutter hur nails,” cried the Welsh giant, who was ashamed to be outdone by such a little fellow as Jack; “hur can do that hurself.” So he snatched up the knife, plunged it into his stomach, and in a moment dropped down dead. «Одс брызжет ногтями», — воскликнул валлийский великан, которому было стыдно, что его превзошел такой человечек, как Джек; «Хур может сделать это сам». Поэтому он схватил нож, вонзил его себе в живот и через мгновение упал замертво.

As soon as Jack had thus tricked the Welsh monster, he went farther on his journey; and a few days after he met with King Arthur's only son, who had got his father's leave to travel into Wales, to deliver a beautiful lady from the power of a wicked magician, by whom she was held in enchantment. Как только Джек обманул таким образом валлийское чудовище, он отправился дальше в своем путешествии; а через несколько дней он встретился с единственным сыном короля Артура, получившим от отца разрешение отправиться в Уэльс, чтобы избавить прекрасную даму от власти злого волшебника, который держал ее в плену. When Jack found that the young prince had no servants with him, he begged leave to attend him; and the prince at once agreed to this, and gave Jack many thanks for his kindness.

King Arthur's son was a handsome, polite, and brave knight, and so good-natured that he gave money to everybody he met. At length he gave his last penny to an old woman, and then turned to Jack. “How shall we be able to get food for ourselves the rest of our journey?”

“Leave that to me, sir,” replied Jack; “I will provide for my prince.”

Night now came on, and the prince began to grow uneasy at thinking where they should lodge. Наступила ночь, и князю стало тревожно думать, где им ночевать.

“Sir,” said Jack, “be of good heart; two miles farther lives a large giant, whom I know well; he has three heads, and will fight five hundred men, and make them fly before him.”

“Alas!” cried the king's son, “we had better never have been born than meet with such a monster.” “My lord, leave me to manage him, and wait here in quiet till I return.”

The prince now stayed behind, while Jack rode on at full speed; and when he came to the gates of the castle he gave a loud knock. The giant, with a voice like thunder, roared out, “Who is there?”

Jack made answer, and said, “No one but your poor cousin Jack.”

“Well,” said the giant, “what news, Cousin Jack?”

“Dear uncle,” said Jack, “I have heavy news.”

“Pooh!” said the giant, “what heavy news can come to me? I am a giant with three heads, and can fight five hundred men, and make them fly before me.”

“Alas!” said Jack, “here's the king's son coming with two thousand men to kill you, and to destroy the castle and all that you have.” “Oh, Cousin Jack,” said the giant, “this is heavy news indeed! But I have a large cellar underground, where I will hide myself, and you shall lock, bolt, and bar me in, and keep the keys till the king's son is gone.” Now, when Jack had barred the giant fast in the vault, he went back and fetched the prince to the castle; they both made themselves merry with the wine and other dainties that were in the house. Теперь, когда Джек запер великана в хранилище, он вернулся и привел принца в замок; они оба веселились с вином и другими лакомствами, которые были в доме. So that night they rested very pleasantly while the poor giant lay trembling and shaking with fear in the cellar underground. Early in the morning Jack gave the king's son gold and silver out of the giant's treasure, and accompanied him three miles forward on his journey. Рано утром Джек дал сыну короля золото и серебро из сокровищ великана и сопровождал его на три мили вперед в его путешествии. The prince then sent Jack to let his uncle out of the hole, who asked him what he should give him as a reward for saving his castle. Тогда принц послал Джека выпустить из норы своего дядю, который спросил его, что он должен дать ему в награду за спасение своего замка.

“Why, good uncle,” said Jack, “I desire nothing but the old coat and cap, with the old rusty sword and slippers, which are hanging at your bed's head.” "Почему, добрый дядя, - сказал Джек, - я не хочу ничего, кроме старого пальто и шапки, старого ржавого меча и тапочек, которые висят у изголовья твоей кровати". “Then,” said the giant, “you shall have them; and pray keep them for my sake, for they are things of great use. The coat will keep you invisible, the cap will give you knowledge, the sword will cut through anything, and the shoes are of vast swiftness; they may be useful to you in all times of danger, so take them with all my heart.”

Jack gave many thanks to the giant, and then set off to the prince. When he had come up to the king's son, they soon arrived at the dwelling of the beautiful lady, who was under the power of a wicked magician. She received the prince very politely and made a noble feast for him; when it was ended, she rose, and, wiping her mouth with a fine handkerchief, said, “My lord, you must submit to the custom of my palace; to-morrow morning I command you to tell me on whom I bestow this handkerchief, or lose your head.” She then left the room. Она приняла принца очень вежливо и устроила для него знатный пир; когда он закончился, она встала и, вытирая рот прекрасным платком, сказала: "Мой господин, вы должны подчиниться обычаям моего дворца; завтра утром я велю вам сказать, кому я дарую этот платок, или вы потеряете голову". Затем она вышла из комнаты.

The young prince went to bed very mournful, but Jack put on his cap of knowledge, which told him that the lady was forced, by the power of enchantment, to meet the wicked magician every night in the middle of the forest. Юный принц лег спать очень опечаленный, но Джек надел свой колпак знаний, который поведал ему, что леди силой чар была вынуждена каждую ночь встречаться со злым волшебником посреди леса. Jack now put on his coat of darkness and his shoes of swiftness and was there before her. Теперь Джек надел свой темный плащ и быстрые ботинки и предстал перед ней. When the lady came she gave the handkerchief to the magician. Когда женщина пришла, она отдала платок фокуснику. Jack, with his sword of sharpness, at one blow cut off his head; the enchantment was then ended in a moment, and the lady was restored to her former virtue and goodness. Джек своим острым мечом одним ударом отрубил ему голову; чары вмиг развеялись, и дама вновь обрела прежнюю добродетель и доброту. She was married to the prince on the next day, and soon after went back, with her royal husband and a great company, to the court of King Arthur, where they were received with loud and joyful welcomes; and the valiant hero Jack, for the many great exploits he had done for the good of his country, was made one of the Knights of the Round Table.

As Jack had been so lucky in all his adventures, he resolved not to be idle for the future, but still to do what services he could for the honor of the king and the nation. He therefore humbly begged his majesty to furnish him with a horse and money, that he might travel in search of new and strange exploits. Поэтому он смиренно просил его величество снабдить его лошадью и деньгами, чтобы он мог отправиться в путь в поисках новых и диковинных подвигов. “For,” said he to the king, “there are many giants yet living in the remote parts of Wales, to the great terror and distress of your majesty's subjects; therefore, if it please you, sire, to favor me in my design, I will soon rid your kingdom of these giants and monsters in human shape.” "Ведь, - сказал он королю, - в отдаленных уголках Уэльса еще живет множество великанов, к великому ужасу и беде подданных вашего величества; поэтому, если вам будет угодно, государь, благоволить мне в моем замысле, я скоро избавлю ваше королевство от этих великанов и чудовищ в человеческом обличье". Now when the king heard this offer, and began to think of the cruel deeds of these blood-thirsty giants and savage monsters, he gave Jack everything proper for such a journey. After this, Jack took leave of the king, the prince, and all the knights, and set off, taking with him his cap of knowledge, his sword of sharpness, his shoes of swiftness, and his invisible coat, the better to perform the great exploits that might fall in his way. После этого Джек оставил короля, принца и всех рыцарей и отправился в путь, взяв с собой шапку знаний, острый меч, быструю обувь и плащ-невидимку, чтобы совершать великие подвиги, которые могут встретиться на его пути. He went along over hills and mountains, and on the third day he came to a wide forest. He had hardly entered it when on a sudden he heard dreadful shrieks and cries, and, forcing his way through the trees, saw a monstrous giant dragging along by the hair of their heads a handsome knight and a beautiful lady. Their tears and cries melted the heart of honest Jack; he alighted from his horse, and, tying him to an oak-tree, put on his invisible coat, under which he carried his sword of sharpness.

When he came up to the giant he made several strokes at him, but could not reach his body on account of the enormous height of the terrible creature; but he wounded his thighs in several places, and at length, putting both hands to his sword, and aiming with all his might, he cut off both the giant's legs just below the garter; and the trunk of his body, tumbling to the ground, made not only the trees shake, but the earth itself tremble with the force of his fall. Then Jack, setting his foot upon his neck, exclaimed, “Thou barbarous and savage wretch, behold, I come to execute upon thee the just reward for all thy crimes,” and instantly plunged his sword into the giant's body. The huge monster gave a groan, and yielded up his life into the hands of the victorious Jack the Giant-killer, while the noble knight and the virtuous lady were both joyful spectators of his sudden death. They not only returned Jack hearty thanks for their deliverance, but also invited him to their house, to refresh himself after his dreadful encounter, as likewise to receive a reward for his good services.

“No,” said Jack, “I cannot be at ease till I find out the den that was the monster's habitation.” The knight, on hearing this, grew very sorrowful, and replied: “Noble stranger, it is too much to run a second hazard; this monster lived in a den under yonder mountain, with a brother of his, more fierce and cruel than himself; therefore, if you should go thither, and perish in the attempt, it would be a heart-breaking thing to me and my lady; so let me persuade you to go back with us, and desist from any further pursuit.”

“Nay,” answered Jack, “if there be another, even if there were twenty, I would shed the last drop of blood in my body before one of them should escape. When I have finished this task, I will come and pay my respects to you.”

So when they had told him where to find them again, he got on his horse and went after the dead giant's brother. Jack had not ridden a mile and a half before he came in sight of the mouth of the cavern, and nigh the entrance of it he saw the other giant sitting on a huge block of timber, with a knotted iron club lying by his side, waiting for his brother. His eyes looked like flames of fire, his face was grim and ugly, and his cheeks were like two flitches of bacon; the bristles of his beard seemed to be thick rods of iron wire, and his long locks of hair hung down upon his broad shoulders like curling snakes. Jack got down from his horse and turned him into a thicket; then he put on his coat of darkness and drew a little nearer to behold this figure, and said, softly, “Oh, monster! are you there? It will not be long before I shall take you fast by the beard.”

The giant all this while could not see him, by reason of his invisible coat, so Jack came quite close to him, and struck a blow at his head with his sword of sharpness; but he missed his aim, and only cut off his nose, which made him roar like loud claps of thunder. He rolled his glaring eyes round on every side, but could not see who had given him the blow; so he took up his iron club, and began to lay about him like one that was mad with pain and fury.

“Nay,” said Jack, “if this be the case, I will kill you at once.” So saying, he slipped nimbly behind him, and jumping upon the block of timber, as the giant rose from it, he stabbed him in the back, when, after a few howls, he dropped down dead. Jack cut off his head and sent it, with the head of his brother, to King Arthur by a wagon which he had hired for that purpose. When Jack had thus killed these two monsters, he went into their cave in search of their treasure. He passed through many turnings and windings, which led him to a room paved with freestone; at the end of it was a boiling caldron, and on the right hand stood a large table, where the giants used to dine. He then came to a window that was secured with iron bars, through which he saw a number of wretched captives, who cried out when they saw Jack, “Alas! alas! young man, you are come to be one among us in this horrid den.”

“I hope,” said Jack, “you will not stay here long; but pray tell me what is the meaning of your being here at all?”

“Alas!” said one poor old man, “I will tell you, sir. We are persons that have been taken by the giants who hold this cave, and are kept till they choose to have a feast; then one of us is to be killed, and cooked to please their taste. It is not long since they took three for the same purpose.”

“Well,” said Jack, “I have given them such a dinner that it will be long enough before they have any more.”

The captives were amazed at his words.

“You may believe me,” said Jack, “for I have killed them both with the edge of this sword, and have sent their large heads to the court of King Arthur, as marks of my great success.”

To show that what he said was true, he unlocked the gate and set the captives all free. Then he led them to the great room, placed them round the table, and placed before them two quarters of beef, with bread and wine, upon which they feasted their fill. When supper was over they searched the giant's coffers, and Jack divided among them all the treasures. The next morning they set off to their homes, and Jack to the knight's house, whom he had left with his lady not long before. He was received with the greatest joy by the thankful knight and his lady, who, in honor of Jack's exploits, gave a grand feast, to which all the nobles and gentry were invited. When the company were assembled, the knight declared to them the great actions of Jack, and gave him, as a mark of respect, a fine ring, on which was engraved the picture of the giant dragging the knight and the lady by the hair, with this motto round it:

“Behold in dire distress were we, Under a giant's fierce command; But gained our lives and liberty From valiant Jack's victorious hand.” Among the guests then present were five aged gentlemen, who were fathers to some of those captives who had been freed by Jack from the dungeon of the giants. As soon as they heard that he was the person who had done such wonders, they pressed round him with tears of joy, to return him thanks for the happiness he had caused them. After this the bowl went round, and every one drank the health and long life of the gallant hero. Mirth increased, and the hall was filled with peals of laughter.

But, on a sudden, a herald, pale and breathless, rushed into the midst of the company, and told them that Thundel, a savage giant with two heads, had heard of the death of his two kinsmen, and was come to take his revenge on Jack, and that he was now within a mile of the house, the people flying before him like chaff before the wind. At this news the very boldest of the guests trembled; but Jack drew his sword, and said: “Let him come; I have a rod for him also. Pray, ladies and gentlemen, do me the favor to walk into the garden, and you shall soon behold the giant's defeat and death.” To this they all agreed, and heartily wished him success in his dangerous attempt.

The knight's house stood in the middle of a moat, thirty feet deep and twenty wide, over which lay a drawbridge. Jack set men to work to cut the bridge on both sides, almost to the middle, and then dressed himself in his coat of darkness and went against the giant with his sword of sharpness. As he came close to him, though the giant could not see him for his invisible coat, yet he found some danger was near, which made him cry out:

“Fa, fe, fi, fo, fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman; Let him be alive, or let him be dead, I'll grind his bones to make me bread.” “Say you so, my friend?” said Jack; “you are a monstrous miller, indeed!”

“Art thou,” cried the giant, “the villain that killed my kinsmen? Then I will tear thee with my teeth and grind thy bones to powder.”

“You must catch me first,” said Jack; and throwing off his coat of darkness, and putting on his shoes of swiftness he began to run, the giant following him like a walking castle, making the earth shake at every step.

Jack led him round and round the walls of the house, that the company might see the monster; then, to finish the work, he ran over the drawbridge, the giant going after him with his club; but when he came to the middle, where the bridge had been cut on both sides, the great weight of his body made it break, and he tumbled into the water, where he rolled about like a large whale. Jack now stood by the side of the moat, and laughed and jeered at him, saying, “I think you told me you would grind my bones to powder; when will you begin?”

The giant foamed at both his horrid mouths with fury, and plunged from side to side of the moat; but he could not get out to have revenge on his little foe. At last Jack ordered a cart-rope to be brought to him: he then drew it over the giant's two heads, and, by the help of a team of horses, dragged him to the edge of the moat, where he cut off his heads; and before he either ate or drank, sent them both to the court of King Arthur. He then went back to the table with the company, and the rest of the day was spent in mirth and good cheer.

After staying with the knight for some time, Jack grew weary of such an idle life, and set out again in search of new adventures. He went over hills and dales without meeting any, till he came to the foot of a very high mountain. Here he knocked at the door of a small and lonely house, and an old man, with a head as white as snow, let him in.

“Good father,” said Jack, “can you lodge a traveller who has lost his way?”

“Yes,” said the hermit, “I can, if you will accept such fare as my poor house affords.” "Да, - сказал отшельник, - я могу, если вы согласитесь на такую плату за проезд, какую может предложить мой бедный дом".

Jack entered, and the old man set before him some bread and fruit for his supper. When Jack had eaten as much as he chose, the hermit said: “My son, I know you are the famous conqueror of giants; now, at the top of this mountain is an enchanted castle, kept by a giant named Galligantus, who, by the help of a vile magician, gets many knights into his castle, where he changes them into the shape of beasts. Above all, I lament the hard fate of a duke's daughter, whom they seized as she was walking in her father's garden, and brought hither through the air in a chariot drawn by two fiery dragons, and turned her into the shape of a deer. Прежде всего, я оплакиваю тяжелую судьбу дочери герцога, которую они схватили, когда она гуляла в саду своего отца, и привезли сюда по воздуху на колеснице, запряженной двумя огненными драконами, и превратили ее в оленя. Many knights have tried to destroy the enchantment and deliver her, yet none have been able to do it, by reason of two fiery griffins, who guard the gate of the castle, and destroy all who come nigh; but as you, my son, have an invisible coat, you may pass by them without being seen; and on the gates of the castle you will find engraved by what means the enchantment may be broken.”

Jack promised that in the morning, at the risk of his life, he would break the enchantment; and after a sound sleep he arose early, put on his invisible coat, and got ready for the attempt. When he had climbed to the top of the mountain he saw the two fiery griffins; but he passed between them without the least fear of danger, for they could not see him because of his invisible coat. On the castle gate he found a golden trumpet, under which were written these lines:

“Whoever can this trumpet blow, Shall cause the giant's overthrow.” "Кто может трубить в эту трубу, тот повергнет великана". As soon as Jack had read this he seized the trumpet and blew a shrill blast, which made the gates fly open and the very castle itself tremble. The giant and the conjuror now knew that their wicked course was at an end, and they stood biting their thumbs and shaking with fear. Jack, with his sword of sharpness, soon killed the giant, and the magician was then carried away by a whirlwind. All the knights and beautiful ladies, who had been changed into birds and beasts, returned to their proper shapes. The castle vanished away like smoke, and the head of the giant Galligantus was sent to King Arthur. The knights and ladies rested that night at the old man's hermitage, and the next day they set out for the court. Jack then went up to the king, and gave his majesty an account of all his fierce battles. Jack's fame had spread through the whole country, and at the king's desire the duke gave him his daughter in marriage, to the joy of all the kingdom. After this the king gave him a large estate, on which he and his lady lived the rest of their days in joy and content.