Anon withal came there upon him two great giants, well armed all save
the heads, with two horrible clubs in their hands. Sir Launcelot put
his shield afore him and put the stroke away of the one giant, and with
his sword he clave his head asunder. When his fellow saw that, he ran
away as he were wood, for fear of the horrible strokes, and Launcelot
after him with all his might, and smote him on the shoulder, and clave
him to the navel. Then Sir Launcelot went into the hall, and there came
afore him three score ladies and damosels, and all kneeled unto him,
and thanked God and him of their deliverance; For sir, said they, the
most party of us have been here this seven year their prisoners, and we
have worked all manner of silk works for our meat, and we are all great
gentlewomen born; and blessed be the time, knight, that ever thou be
born, for thou hast done the most worship that ever did knight in this
world, that will we bear record, and we all pray you to tell us your
name, that we may tell our friends who delivered us out of prison. Fair
damosel, he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Ah, sir, said they
all, well mayest thou be he, for else save yourself, as we deemed,
there might never knight have the better of these two giants; for many
fair knights have assayed it, and here have ended, and many times have
we wished after you, and these two giants dread never knight but you.
Now may ye say, said Sir Launcelot, unto your friends how and who hath
delivered you, and greet them all from me, and if that I come in any of
your marches, show me such cheer as ye have cause, and what treasure
that there in this castle is I give it you for a reward for your
grievance, and the lord that is owner of this castle I would he
received it as is right. Fair sir, said they, the name of this castle
is Tintagil, and a duke ought it sometime that had wedded fair Igraine,
and after wedded her Uther Pendragon, and gat on her Arthur. Well, said
Sir Launcelot, I understand to whom this castle longeth; and so he
departed from them, and betaught them unto God.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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