The foul reproach, so grossly urg'd, His generous heart did wound: And strait he vow'd he ne'er would rest 15 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. 20
O'er hill and valley, moss and moor, For many a day they pass; At length upon a moated lake,[430] They found a bridge of brass.
Beyond it rose a castle fair 25 Y-built of marble stone: The battlements were gilt with gold, And glittred in the sun.
Beneath the bridge, with strange device, A hundred bells were hung; 30 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 bedeaft their ears, 35 And rung from shore to shore.
Quick at the sound the castle gates Unlock'd and opened wide, And strait a gyant huge and grim Stalk'd forth with stately pride. 40
Now yield you, caytiffs, 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, 45 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 aim'd a dreadful thrust: 50 The spear against the gyant glanc'd, And caus'd the blood to burst.
Mad and outrageous with the pain, He whirl'd his mace of steel: The very wind of such a blow 55 Had made the champion reel.
It haply mist; and now the knight His glittering sword display'd, And riding round with whirlwind speed Oft made him feel the blade. 60
As when a large and monstrous oak Unceasing axes hew: So fast around the gyant's limbs The blows quick-darting flew.
As when the boughs with hideous fall 65 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. 70 And laid them senseless in the dust; So fatal was the stroke.
Then smiling forth a hideous grin, The gyant strides in haste, And, stooping, aims a second stroke: 75 "Now caytiff breathe thy last!"
But ere it fell, two thundering blows Upon his scull descend: From Ursine's knotty club they came, Who ran to save his friend. 80