Medieval Arthurian Legend
The Middle English Tale of Sir Perceval of Galles
14th century, Middle English, Lincoln Cathedral Library.
‘By the grace of God, I shall kill all giants like you!’ replied Sir Perceval.
And all redy is the ryng; and thou will myn agayne bryng, here will I make the chaungyng
– 'and here is the ring,' said Sir Perceval. 'If you have the one I left with you, we shall exchange them and I shall be happy to have my own back,' he said.
'It is too late for that,' remarked the Black Knight. 'That ring is no longer yours to keep. As soon as I saw it I took it to the lord of this land, a giant, and anyone who asks for it now will be given short shrift.'
Perceval was furious and galloped away.
The geant stode in his holde
– the giant was in his castle and saw Sir Perceval approaching. 'How can this happen?' he called to his gatekeeper, 'that a man rides freely in my land? Give me my battle weapons. He will soon wish that he was somewhere else entirely.'
Ane iryn clobe takes he
– grasping an iron club, he went to meet Sir Perceval. The club was heavy enough to fell a knight in full armour; the head alone weighed twelve stones. They met on a windswept moor far from any town.
'By the gods! Are you the one who killed Golrotherame?' asked the giant. 'He was my brother.'
'By the grace of God, I shall kill all giants like you!' replied Sir Perceval. Thurgh grace of God, so sall I the, and siche geantes as ye, sle thaym in the felde!