whom he had
pledged his aid. If he could not reach her in time, he would be unable
to endure his life, or would live on without his wits on the other hand,
the kindness of his friend, my lord Gawain, only increased his distress;
his heart almost bursts in half at the thought that he cannot delay.
Nevertheless, he does not stir, but delays and waits so long that the
giant came suddenly, bringing with him the knights: and hanging from his
neck he carried a big square stake with a pointed end, and with this he
frequently spurred them on. For their part they had no clothing on that
was worth a straw, except some soiled and filthy shirts: and their feet
and hands were bound with cords, as they came riding upon four limping
jades, which were weak, and thin, and miserable. As they came riding
along beside a wood, a dwarf, who was puffed up like a toad, had
tied the horses' tails together, and walked beside them, beating them
remorselessly with a four-knotted scourge until they bled, thinking
thereby to be doing something wonderful. Thus they were brought along in
shame by the giant and the dwarf. Stopping in the plain in front of the
city gate, the giant shouts out to the noble lord that he will kill his
sons unless he delivers to him his daughter, whom he will surrender to
his vile fellows to become their sport. For he no longer loves her nor
esteems her, that he should deign to abase himself to her. She shall be
constantly beset by a thousand lousy and ragged knaves, vacant wretches,
and scullery boys, who all shall lay hands on her. The worthy man is
well-nigh beside himself when he hears how his daughter will be made
a bawd, or else, before his very eyes, his four sons will be put to a
speedy death. His agony is like that of one who would rather be dead
than alive. Again and again he bemoans his fate, and weeps aloud and
sighs. Then my frank and gentle lord Yvain thus began to speak to him:
"Sire, very vile and impudent is that giant who vaunts himself out
there. But may God never grant that he should have your daughter in his
power! He despises her and insults her openly. It would be too great a
calamity if so lovely a creature of such high birth were handed over
to become the sport of boys. Give me now my arms and horse! Have the
drawbridge lowered, and let me pass. One or the other must be cast down,
either I or he, I know not which. If I could only humiliate the cruel
wretch who is thus oppressing you, so that he would r