Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/63

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
IRISH FOLK-TALES.
55

heard of this, and he said ho would go and defend her. At last the day came round when it was to happen, and Jack went off to the giant's place and got a black horse and a black suit of clothes. When he was coming away he saw a bottle labelled "Whoever would take one drop of this stuff would have three times as much strength." So he took a drop and gave his horse a drop, and galloped away to the place where the princess was. Soon the serpent came, and Jack killed it. This was done three times, and the last time Jack wore a pair of blue glass shoes. And when he was riding away the princess caught hold of one of them, but Jack did not mind that. The king was so glad that his daughter was saved that he ordered a ball party in memory of it. Every one, rich and poor, was invited to go to it, and in the middle of the enjoyments the king brought the glass shoe to see who it would fit, but no one could get it on. Jack, who was in the kitchen, asked whether he might not try, and the king said he could, and it fitted him nicely, and it ended that Jack married the princess, and if they did not live happy that we may.

Isleworth.


STORIES OF FAIRIES FROM SCOTLAND.

By the Rev. Walter Gregor.


FAIRY Knots.—The fairies danced round the Hallow-fires, and, whilst they were doing so, they kept casting knots of blue ribbons with their left hands, and throwing them over their left shoulders. These knots could not be unloosed, and were called "fairy-knots." Those who were fascinated by their beauty, and were foolish enough to lift them, came immediately under the power of the "fair-folk," and were liable to be carried off by them at any moment.