Knights and knighthood -- Poetry; Romances, English
After a short rest Torrent returned into Portugal. He was kindly
received by King Calamond, and splendid festivities were
celebrated in his honour. The kings of Gales and of Provence
showed their gratitude by bestowing on him rich presents, among
them a precious sword wrought by Wayland Smith. Desonelle gave him
one of her fine palfreys. Calamond, however, shrewd as he was, and
envious of the hero’s fame, plotted his ruin. He caused him, by a
counterfeit letter of Desonelle, to catch her a falcon in the
forest of Maudlen, which was the haunt of a dangerous giant,
Rochense, and of many wild beasts. Torrent and his squire set out
immediately, but separated on entering the forest, to hunt in the
thicket each by himself. Torrent soon encountered a huge dragon,
and killed it by vehement strokes. The squire, having meanwhile
fallen in with the giant, had been slain by him. The hero, called
to the place by the tumult of battle, attacked the giant, and
overcame him after a hard struggle. He cut off his head to bear
with him as a trophy. He then went into the giant’s castle, where
he found a great many jewels, and a bright sword called
Mownpolyard. Having returned to the royal court, he ordered five
priests to say masses for his squire’s soul. At this very time it
happened that the king of Arragon sent messengers to the king of
Portugal, in order to bring about a marriage between Desonelle and
his youngest son. Calamond would not listen to the advice of his
spouse, that he should no longer refuse Desonelle to Torrent, but
he promised her to the prince of Arragon, and at the same time
sent the hero once more against a giant, Slogus of Foulles in
Calabre.
Torrent departed well armed, and after a prosperous voyage arrived
in Calabre. There he soon met the giant, who was one-eyed like the
Cyclops, and bore a huge cudgel as his only weapon. Torrent threw
his spear into the fiend’s eye, and thus overcame him without any
long struggle. The king of Calabre graciously welcomed the hero,
and largely rewarded him for the service he had rendered his
country. Having returned into Portugal, Torrent heard that in a
few weeks Desonelle was to be married to the prince of Arragon.
Arrayed in knightly dress, he rode right off to Calamond’s court,
and challenged his rival to fight. After a short struggle he
completely vanquished his antagonist, stretching him on the
ground. The next day, as the king, surrounded by his noble guests,
banqueted in the great hall of the castle, Torrent entered with
the giant’s head in his hand, and harshly demanded the king’s
daughter; he called all the lords to witness of Calamond’s
perfidy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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