I sing the deeds of famous Jack,
The doughty Giant Killer hight;
How he did various monsters "whack,"
And so became a gallant knight.

In Arthur's days of splendid fun
(His Queen was Guenever the Pliant),—
Ere Britain's sorrows had begun;
When every cave contained its giant;

When griffins fierce as bats were rife;
And till a knight had slain his dragon,
At trifling risk of limbs and life,
He did n't think he'd much to brag on;

When wizards o'er the welkin flew;
Ere science had devised balloon;
And 'twas a common thing to view
A fairy ballet by the moon;—

Our hero played his valiant pranks;
Earned loads of kudos, vulgÔ glory,
A lady, "tin," and lots of thanks;—
Relate, oh Muse! his wondrous story.