n Owain's feet,
and he fed him with every kind of food, that he took himself. And he
never saw any thing equal to the sadness of the people.

In the middle of the repast, the Earl began to bid Owain welcome. "Then,"
said Owain, "behold it is time for thee to be cheerful." "Heaven knows,"
said the Earl, "that it is not thy coming that makes us sorrowful, but we
have cause enough for sadness and care." "What is that?" said Owain. "I
have two sons," replied the Earl, "and yesterday they went to the
mountains to hunt. Now there is on the mountain a monster, who kills men
and devours them. And he seized my sons. And to-morrow is the time he
has fixed to be here, and he threatens that he will then slay my sons
before my eyes, unless I will deliver into his hands this my daughter.
{46a} He has the form of a man, but in stature he is no less than a
giant."

"Truly," said Owain, "that is lamentable. And which wilt thou do?"
"Heaven knows," said the Earl, "it will be better that my sons should be
slain, against my will, than I should voluntarily give up my daughter to
him to ill-treat and destroy." Then they talked about other things, and
Owain staid there that night.

The next morning, they heard an exceeding great clamour, which was caused
by the coming of the giant, with the two youths. And the Earl was
anxious both to protect his Castle, and to release his two sons. {46b}
Then Owain put on his armour, and went forth to encounter the giant; and
the lion followed him. And when the giant saw that Owain was armed, he
rushed towards him, and attacked him. And the lion fought with the
giant, much more fiercely than Owain did.

"Truly," said the giant, "I should find no difficulty in fighting with
thee, were it not for the animal that is with thee." Upon that Owain
took the lion back to the Castle, and shut the gate upon him. And then
he returned to fight the giant, as before. And the lion roared very
loud, for he heard that it went hard with Owain. And he climbed up, till
he reached the top of the Earl's Hall; and thence he got to the top of
the Castle, and he sprang down from the walls, and went and joined Owain.
And the lion gave the giant a stroke with his paw, which tore him from
his shoulder to his hip, and his heart was laid bare. And the giant fell
down dead. Then Owain restored the two youths to their father.

The Earl besought Owain to remain with him, and he would not, but set
forward towards the