When he reached the palace he knocked at the gate loudly with
his crook, and having mentioned the object of his visit, he was
immediately conducted to the hall where the king's daughter sat ready
prepared to see her lovers. He was placed in a luxurious chair, and rich
wines and spices were set before him, and all sorts of delicate meats.
Jack, unused to such fare, ate and drank plentifully, so that he was
nearly dozing before midnight.
"Oh, shepherd," said the lady, "I have caught you napping!"
"Noa, sweet ally, I was busy a-feeshing."
"A fishing," said the princess in the utmost astonishment: "Nay,
shepherd, there is no fish-pond in the hall."
"No matter vor that, I have been fishing in my pocket, and have just
caught one."
"Oh me!" said she, "let me see it."
The shepherd slyly drew the fish out of his pocket and pretending to
have caught it, showed it her, and she declared it was the finest she
ever saw.
About half an hour afterwards, she said, "Shepherd, do you think you
could get me one more?"
He replied, "Mayhap I may, when I have baited my hook;" and after a
little while he brought out another, which was finer than the first, and
the princess was so delighted that she gave him leave to go to sleep,
and promised to excuse him to her father.
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