the king was in his cabin on his ship, he fell asleep and dreamed that a terrible dragon came flying out of the west and drowned most of his people. It seemed that his head was covered with azure enamel, his shoulders shone with gold, and his stomach was covered in something like chain mail with marvelous colors; his tail was full of sharp points, and his feet looked as if they were made of fine sable. His claws were like pure gold. A hideous flame of fire came out of his mouth, and it seemed as if he would set both land and water on fire.
C V.4
Then it seemed to Arthur that out of the Orient came a ferocious bear, all black and in a cloud, with paws as big as thick posts. He was covered all over with loosely hanging locks, the foulest beast that ever any man had seen. He roamed about and roared so loudly that it was a great marvel.
Then the dreadful dragon challenged him, coming toward him like a falcon on the wind, and fiercely struck the bear. The bear struck at him with his deadly claws, so that his breast and his body were all bloody, the blood gushing into the sea.
Then the worm moved away, flew up high, and came down with a loud rushing sound. He torched the bear from the top of his head to the tip of his tail. He struck the bear and burned him up so that he fell to powder, both flesh and bone, and the ashes floated out to sea.
When the king woke from his dream, he sent for a philosopher and asked him to tell him what his dream signified. “Sir,” said the philosopher, “the dragon you dreamt of represents your own person, sailing here with your loyal knights. The color of his wings signifies the kingdoms you and your noble knights have won. His tail which was all jagged represents your noble knights of the Round Table. The bear that the dragon slew from the clouds betokens some tyrant that torments your people, or else you are likely to fight with some giant in single combat. Therefore, have little dread of this dream, and do not worry, Sir conqueror, but comfort yourself.”
Within a while they saw the banks of Normandy, and on that tide the king arrived at Barfleur and found there, ready and waiting, many of his great lords, just as he had commanded at Christmas.
Then a peasant came out of the country and spoke many astonishing words to the king, saying, “Sir, nearby there is a great giant of Genoa who torments your people; he has eaten more than five hundred of our children over the last seven winters! Yet his appetite is never sated, and in the country of Constantine he has killed all our boys.
C V.5
“Tonight he has abducted the Duchess of Brittany as she was riding along a river with her knights. He has taken her to yonder mount and intends to lie with her while her life lasts. Many people followed him—more than five hundred barons and bachelors and noble knights. She shrieked wondrously loudly, and we will never recover from the sorrow of that lady. She was the wife of your cousin—Sir Howell the Courteous—a man we know is your close kin. Now, as you are our rightful king, have pity on this lady and your devoted people, and avenge us as a noble conqueror should.”
“Alas,” said King Arthur, “this is a great mischief! I would trade all the realms I hold of my crown to have been within a furlong of this fiend, and so to have rescued the lady. Now fellow,” said Arthur, “can you tell me where this churl lives? I will have dealings with him before long!”
“Sir conqueror,” said the good man, “behold the two fires that burn yonder; there shall you find the churl, beyond the cold streams, and you almost certainly will also find there treasure beyond measure—more treasure, I think, than there is in all of France.”
The king said, “Good man, peace! You need say no more. Your speech has sorely grieved my heart.” Then he turned toward his tent, saying little more.
The king met with Sir Kay in council, and to him and Sir Bedevere the Bold he said thus: “See that after evening mass, you two are fully armed, with your best horses. I am riding out on a secret pilgrimage, and only we three shall go. When we are able, we will ride to Saint Michael’s Mount, where great marvels shall be seen.”
Then Sir Arthur went to his wardrobe and put on his armor—both his light coat of armor and his helmet—and took up his broad shield. He prepared himself and his horse who waited in the field. He mounted and took up the bridle, used the stirrups to stir him, and soon he found his two knights armed and ready.
They trotted along quietly together over the lovely country that was full of many birds. When they came to the promontory, they and Arthur dismounted.
“Now secure our horses,” said Arthur, “so that none are near the others. I will seek out this saint alone, and speak with the master of this mountain.” Then the king went up to the crest of the crag, where he was comforted by a cold wind. Then he went on past two streams and found two fires in high flame.
At one fire sat an old woman, wringing her hands. She was sitting on a grave that had been newly dug. Arthur greeted her, and she him in return, and he asked why she sat there sorrowing.
“Alas!” she said. “Be careful knight! You speak too loudly. Just yonder is a monster who will destroy us both. You are unlucky—what are you doing on this mountain? Even if there were fifty such as you, you would be too feeble, even all together, to take on the monster. Why do you bear arms? It will avail you little, for the giant needs no other weapon but his bare hands. Here is the grave of a duchess, the fairest that ever lived. He has murdered that mild maid without mercy. He forced his filthy self upon her, and in so doing, slit her apart to the naval.”
“Dame,” said the king, “I come from the conqueror, King Arthur, to treat with this tyrant on behalf of his liege people.”
“Fie on such treating!” she said then. “He cares nothing for the king nor for any man. But if you have brought Arthur’s wife, Dame Guenevere, he will be happier than if you had given him half of France. Unless you have brought her, do not come too close. Look what he has done to fifteen kings: he has had himself a coat made, set with precious stones, and along the border are the beards of fifteen kings, and they were of the most noble blood to be found on earth! He would have no other rent from the fifteen realms. This present was sent to him last Christmas, and was given to him by the kings in an attempt to save their people. He waits here for Arthur’s wife, and he has more treasure than ever did Arthur or any of his elders.
“You will find him at supper, dining on six boys, for whom he has made sauce and seasoning with many different wines; there are three fair maidens turning the spit, each waiting her turn to go to his bed. Those three shall be dead within four hours, and still his fleshly desire for filth will not be fulfilled.”
“Well,” said Arthur, “I will complete my task, despite all your grim words.”
“Then go to yonder fire that flames so high, and there, truly, you shall find him.”
Then Arthur went to the crest of the hill and saw where the giant was sitting, alone, at his supper, gnawing on the limb of a large man. There he warmed his bare buttocks by the bright fire. Three damsels turned three spits, and thereon were twelve infants, skewered like birds.
When the king beheld that sight his heart nearly bled for sorrow. Then he spoke to himself with angry words: “Now may He that rules all give you sorrow, thief, sitting there! You are the foulest freak that ever was formed, and fiendishly you feed yourself—may the devil take your soul! For what reason, churl, have you killed these Christian children? You have created many martyrs in your murderous ventures throughout these lands. You shall have mercy from St. Michael, for whom this mount is named. Also, why have you slain this fair duchess? Therefore, prepare to fight me, you son of a dog; you shall die today by the power of my hands.”
Then
