And it fortuned they came to the place whereas the two knights were and
kept Arthur’s horse; then when they saw the king fast in the giant’s
arms they came and loosed him. And then the king commanded Sir Kay to
smite off the giant’s head, and to set it upon a truncheon of a spear,
and bear it to Sir Howell, and tell him that his enemy was slain; and
after let this head be bound to a barbican that all the people may see
and behold it; and go ye two up to the mountain, and fetch me my
shield, my sword, and the club of iron; and as for the treasure, take
ye it, for ye shall find there goods out of number; so I have the
kirtle and the club I desire no more. This was the fiercest giant that
ever I met with, save one in the mount of Araby, which I overcame, but
this was greater and fiercer. Then the knights fetched the club and the
kirtle, and some of the treasure they took to themselves, and returned
again to the host. And anon this was known through all the country,
wherefore the people came and thanked the king. And he said again, Give
the thanks to God, and depart the goods among you.
And after that King Arthur said and commanded his cousin Howell, that
he should ordain for a church to be builded on the same hill in the
worship of Saint Michael. And on the morn the king removed with his
great battle, and came into Champayne and in a valley, and there they
pight their tents; and the king being set at his dinner, there came in
two messengers, of whom that one was Marshal of France, and said to the
king that the emperor was entered into France, and had destroyed a
great part, and was in Burgoyne, and had destroyed and made great
slaughter of people, and burnt towns and boroughs; wherefore, if thou
come not hastily, they must yield up their bodies and goods.
CHAPTER VI. How King Arthur sent Sir Gawaine and other to Lucius, and
how they were assailed and escaped with worship.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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