“ Now when the King had heard these noble propositions, and had duly considered the mischievous practices of these bloody-thirsty Giants, he immediately granted what Jack requested : and being furnished with all necessaries for his progress, he took his leave of King Arthur, 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. ”

“ In the reign of King Arthur, near the Land's-end of England, in the county of Cornwall, there lived a wealthy farmer, who had one only son, commonly known by the name of Jack. He was brisk, and of a lively ready wit; so that whatever he could not perform by strength, he completed by wit and policy. ”

“ He waits, and Jack rides full speed, when he came to the castle, he knocked with such a force, that he made all the neighbouring hills to resound. The Giant, with a voice like thunder, roared out, Who’s there ? He answered, none but your own cousin, Jack ; Dear uncle, heavy news, God wot. Prithee, what heavy news can come to me ? I am a Giant with three heads, and besides thou knowest I can fight 500 hundred men O ! but, quoth Jack, here’s the King’s son coming with 1000 men to kill you; Oh ! Jack, this is heavy news indeed ”

“ Jack a length got a cart rope, and cast it over the Giant’s two heads, with a slip knot, and by the help of horses he dragged him out again, nearby strangled, before he would let him loose, he cut off both his heads with his sword of sharpness, in the view of all the assembly of knights, and ladies, who gave a shout when they saw the Giant dispatched. Then before he would either eat or drink, he sent these heads also to the court of King Arthur. ”

“ This being done, the courteous Knight and his fair Lady returned him hearty thanks for their deliverance, but also invited him home, there to refresh himself after the dreadful encounter, as likewise to receive ample reward, by way of gratitude for his good service. No, quoth Jack, I cannot be at ease till, I find out the den, which was this monster’s habitation. The Knight hearing this, waxed sorrowful, and replied, noble stranger, it is too much to run a second risk, for this monster lived in a den under you mountain, with a brother of his, more fierce than himself ”

“ Soon after the Giant arose and went to breakfast with a bowl of hasty pudding, containing nearly four gallons, giving Jack the like quantity ; who being loath to let the Giant know he could not eat with him, got it large leathern hag, putting it very artfully under his loose coat, into which he secretly conveyed his pudding, telling the Giant he could shew him a trick ”

“ For the people at his approach would forsake their habitations ; then he would take their cows and oxen, of which he would make nothing to carry over on his hack half a dozen at a time ; and as for sheep and hogs, he would tie them round his waist. ”

“ Then taking his sharp knife, he ripped up his own belly, from the bottom to the top, and out dropped his tripes and trolly bags, so that hur fell down for dead ; thus Jack outwitted the Giant, and proceeded on his journey.
About this time King Arthur’s son only desired of his father to furnish him with a certain sum of money, that he might go and seek his fortune in Wales, where a beautiful lady lived, whom he heard was possessed with seven evil spirits ”