PART III

In high renown with Prince and peer Now lived Sir Valentine; His high renown with Prince and peer Made envious hearts repine.

It chanced the King upon a day Prepared a sumptuous feast; And there came lords and dainty dames, And many a noble guest.

Amid their cups that freely flowed, Their revelry and mirth, A youthful Knight taxed Valentine Of base and doubtful birth.

The foul reproach, so grossly urged, His generous heart did wound; And strait he vowed he ne’er would rest Till he his parents found.

Then bidding King and peers adieu, Early one summer’s day, With faithful Ursine by his side, From Court he took his way.

O’er hill and valley, moss and moor, For many a day they pass; At length, upon a moated lake, They found a bridge of brass.

Beyond it rose a Castle fair, Y-built of marble-stone; The battlements were gilt with gold, And glittered in the sun.

Beneath the bridge, with strange device, A hundred bells were hung; That man, nor beast, might pass thereon But strait their larum rung.

This quickly found the youthful pair, Who boldly crossing o’er, The jangling sound bedeafed their ears, And rung from shore to shore.

Quick at the sound the castle-gates Unlocked and opened wide, And strait a Giant huge and grim Stalked forth with stately pride.

“Now yield you, caitiffs, to my will!” He cried with hideous roar; “Or else the wolves shall eat your flesh, And ravens drink your gore.”

“Vain boaster,” said the youthful Knight, “I scorn thy threats and thee; I trust to force thy brazen gates, And set thy captives free.”

Then putting spurs unto his steed, He aimed a dreadful thrust; The spear against the Giant glanced And caused the blood to burst.

Mad and outrageous with the pain, He whirled his mace of steel; The very wind of such a blow Had made the champion reel.

It haply missed; and now the Knight His glittering sword displayed, And riding round with whirlwind speed Oft made him feel the blade.

As when a large and monstrous oak Unceasing axes hew, So fast around the Giant’s limbs The blows quick-darting flew.

As when the boughs with hideous fall Some hapless woodman crush, With such a force the enormous foe Did on the champion rush.

A fearful blow, alas! there came; Both horse and Knight it took, And laid them senseless in the dust; So fatal was the stroke.

Then smiling forth a hideous grin, The Giant strides in haste, And, stooping, aims a second stroke: “Now caitiff breathe thy last!”

But ere it fell, two thundering blows Upon his skull descend; From Ursine’s knotty club they came, Who ran to save his friend.

Down sunk the Giant gaping wide, And rolling his grim eyes; The hairy youth repeats his blows; He gasps, he groans, he dies.