“I smell fresh meat,” but Jack felt composed, for the giant had said
so before, and had been soon satisfied; however, the giant started
up suddenly and searched all round the room. Whilst this was going
forward Jack was exceedingly terrified, and ready to die with fear,
wishing himself at home a thousand times, but when the giant approached
the copper, and put his hand upon the lid, Jack thought his death was
certain. The giant ended his search there without moving the lid, and
seated himself quietly by the fireside.
The giant at last ate a hearty supper, and when he had finished, he
commanded his wife to fetch down his harp. Jack peeped under the copper
lid and soon saw the most beautiful harp that could be imagined. It was
placed by the giant on the table, who said—
“Play,” and it instantly played of its own accord, without being
touched. The music was uncommonly fine. Jack was delighted, and felt
more anxious to get the harp into his possession than either of the
former treasures.
The giant’s soul was not attuned to harmony, and the music soon lulled
him into a sound sleep. Now, therefore, was the time to carry off the
harp. As the giant appeared to be in a more profound sleep than usual,
Jack, soon determined, got out of the copper and seized the harp. The
harp, however, was enchanted by a fairy, and it called out loudly—
“Master, master!”
The giant awoke, stood up, and tried to pursue Jack, but he had drunk
so much that he could hardly stand. Poor Jack ran as fast as he could,
and, in a little time, the giant recovered sufficiently to walk
slowly, or rather, to reel after him. Had he been sober he must have
overtaken Jack instantly, but as he then was, Jack contrived to be
first at the top of the beanstalk. The giant called after him in a
voice like thunder, and sometimes was very near him.
The moment Jack got down the beanstalk he called out for a hatchet,
and one was brought him directly. Just at that instant the giant was
beginning to descend, but Jack with his hatchet cut the beanstalk close
off at the root, which made the giant fall headlong into the garden.
The fall killed him, thereby releasing the world from a barbarous enemy.
Jack’s mother was delighted when she saw the beanstalk destroyed. At
this instant the fairy appeared. She first addressed Jack’s mother, and
explained every circumstance relating to the journeys up the beanstalk.
The fairy then charged Jack to be dutiful to his mother, and to follow
his father’s good example, which was the only way to be happy. She
then disappeared. Jack heartily begged his mother’s pardon for all the
sorrow and affliction he had caused her, promising most faithfully to
be very dutiful and obedient to her for the future.