Never before has there been a lad like Jack. For he had a certain knack, for picking key holes of houses doors, taking what he wished and then quick as a flash, he slipped back out and off once more, as if he had never been there at all, for Jack was slick and quick and thus he was never seen.

Then one Hallows eve when the time came. The villagers gathered round the Bonefire  of need. Singing and dancing as their want, but soon they were all to stop. For there came a cry, the Town bell, rang out the alarm. Jack was not so much a fool, that he did not know, he was headed for harm.

He picked up a Silver Cross, and asked for a blessing as he kissed it twice, and begged for mercy as he kissed it thrice. Off he ran as fast as can be, the villagers giving chase, their torch's burning bright, soon they would not be to far behind the fleeing Jack.

At Village end Jack did come, and upon the road just in front of him there was a puff of Red flame and smoke, and in its midst  standing still with a smirk of glee stood the very Devil himself. The Devil did not  miss a beat, to Jack he spoke of this. " I have a plan you will like, for it will save you this very night. I shall take guise as a golden Sovereign. You may give me to the village folk as payment for all you took. Into their village I shall be invited and then I can have my minions of mischief run a riot. Jack no fool did  agree. In a Flash the devil transformed just as he said into the golden Sovereign. Jack with a smile did take the devil coin and into his pocket, he made the Devil sit.

A cry of terror and of woe came from within Jacks coat pocket. For beside the Devil sat the silver Cross that Jack had taken. Jack did laugh, then on he ran till he was out of sight. All the while the devil cursed, sitting as a coin beside the cross the Devil's power was all but lost. For hours and hours he did beg, "Jack let me out, you scaly wag." Not until this promise you make, never shall you come for my soul to take. The devil agreed most heartily. Jack took out the golden coin which disappeared in red smoke and flame.

Then came that fateful day, When Jack was no longer part of the mortal coil. Heaven he could not enter, Nor could hell open its gates Least it break the promise made. To the Devil Jack did ask, how shall I see my way, as I walk the earth eternally. The Devil spoke Jack make a lantern. The only thing Jack could find was a turnip growing  in the ground near by. From that he did hollow and carved into it a face. The Devil said now  here take this my gift.

Jack caught the burning ember form hell, within his lantern he did place it, to light his way as walks the earth eternally to where he heads, nobody knows.

So upon hallows eve keep a keen eye, for you never know Jack of the Lateran may pass you by, on his journey to..., well nobody knows.

This Ode, is the combination of a number of folk tales, related to Jack of the Lantern. = Jack o' Lantern