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Chapter IV
SosoonashewaslandedontheshoresofGaul,therecametohimacountrymanwhotoldhimofafearfulgiantinthelandofBrittany,whohadslain,murdered,anddevouredmanypeople,andhadlivedforsevenyearsuponyoungchildrenonly,“insomuch,”saidtheman,“thatallthechildrenofthecountryaredestroyed;andbuttheotherdayheseizeduponourduchess,assherodeoutwithhermen,andtookherawaytohislodginginacaveofamountain,andthoughfivehundredpeoplefollowedher,yetcouldtheygivehernohelporrescue,butlefthershriekingandcryinglamentablyinthegiant’shands;and,Lord,sheisthycousinHoel’swife,whoisofthynearkindred;wherefore,asthouartarightfulking,havepityonthislady;andasthouartavaliantconqueror,avengeusanddeliverus.”
“Alas!”saidKingArthur,“thisisagreatmischiefthatyetellof.IhadratherthanthebestrealmIhave,thatIhadrescuedthatladyerethegiantlaidhishandonher;buttellmenow,goodfellow,canstthoubringmewherethisgianthaunteth?”
“Yea,Lord!”repliedtheman;“lo,yonder,wherethouseesttwogreatfires,thereshallthoufindhim,andmoretreasurealsothanisinallGaulbesides.”
Thenthekingreturnedtohistent,and,callingSirKeyandSirBedwin,desiredthemtogethorsesreadyforhimselfandthem,forthatafterevensonghewouldrideapilgrimagewiththemalonetoSt.Michael’sMount.
