Tottenham Court Road
Medieval Romance
Octavian
13th century, Old French: 14th century Middle English versions at Cambridge University Library, Lincoln Cathedral Library, British Library.
All the people ran to get a glimpse of this giant, but as soon as they did so they ran twice as quickly in the opposite direction!
The geaunte tuke the ryghte waye unto Paresche that ilke daye
– the giant took the road to Paris, that very day. He stood twenty-two feet tall, between his forehead and his toes! No horse could carry him! He lenede hym over the towne walle
– he leaned over the wall and spoke to the people within, urging them to send out a knight to face him or he would destroy the land thereabouts, burn the city and kill everybody inside.
All the people ran to get a glimpse of this giant, but as soon as they did so they ran twice as quickly in the opposite direction! Five knights sallied out, saying they would trust to God and to Fortune. The giant was pleased to see them, and quickly killed them. Not one escaped alive!
When the giant had slain these five knights he went back to the city wall and leaned over it again.