poor house affords."

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
and ladies 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. 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."

[Illustration: The Giant Galligantus]

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
hung a golden trumpet, under which were these lines:--