When he saw Catawampus fall and die,
He knew that the end of his course was nigh.
"My flint," he cried, "is fixed, I snore!"
He rent his hair and his garments tore,
Blasphemed and cursed, and vowed and swore.
Jack felt half frightened and greatly shocked,
When, behold! the mountain rocked:
Sudden night overspread the sky;
Pale blue lightnings glimmered by;
Roared the thunder, yawned the earth;
And with yells of hideous mirth,
Mid serpents and skeletons ghastly and dire,
The spirits of evil came in fire;-
Beelzebub and Zatanai,
Asdramelech and Asmodai,
Zamiel and Ashtaroth, with legions
Of frightful shapes from Pluto's regions;
And, the sorceror shrieking with frantic dismay,
On the wings of a whilwind they bore him away.
When once again the daylight broke,
The castle had vanished away like smoke.
XXXI.
"My eye!" said Jack, a little serious;
"Upon my word, that was mysterious!"
But cheers and joyous gratulations
Cut short the hero's meditations;
The "deformed transformed" round him press,
Knights and ladies numberless;
Who each, as Jack, you know, had heard,
The warlock had changed to beast and bird;
And who straight had recovered their pristine condition
When Old Nick flew away with the wicked magician.
XXXII.
Hurrah! Jack's labours now are done,
He hath slain the Giants all, save one;
I mean his great uncle; and he's bound o'er
To keep the peace for evermore.
XXXIII.
To ancient Yenta's city fair
Forthwith the champion makes resort;
For Arthur kept his castle there
(Still, in the Nisi Prius Court,
The Table Round of his famous hall
Gaily flaunts upon the wall).
Through the King's gate he took his way
(He had come by sea to Hampton town,
Where he called, just "How d' ye do?" to say,
On Bevis, knight of high renown).
As he passed through the Close, all the friars, to see him,
Came out in canonicals, singing "Te Deum;"
As he rode up the High Street, the little boys followed,
And they flung up their caps, cheered, and shouted, and halloed.
The windows were crowded with ladies so bright,
All smiling and waving their kerchiefs of white.
Jack with dignity bowed
Right and left to the crowd,
Gracefully mingling the humble and proud.
XXXIV.
He now before King Arthur's throne,
Knelt with obeisance grave;
A thousand bright eyes on him shone,
As they shine upon the brave.