That night he pitched his tent outside the city, and would suffer none to come near him; only Sir Sergis kept him company, and gave such services as were needful. Now the Lady Irene had not heard of the coming of Sir Artegall, and this being the day on which, lacking a champion who should defend her cause, it was appointed for her to die, she arrayed herself in squalid garments, fit for such occasion, and prepared herself for her doom. But her mood was changed to joy when, coming to the appointed place, she found Sir Artegall ready to do battle for her.

And now, the lists having been made ready, Grantorto came forth prepared for battle. He was clad in armour of iron, with a steel cap, rusty brown in colour, on his head, and in his hand he carried a huge pole-axe. He was of mighty stature, standing up as a giant among other men, and hideous of aspect. Very expert in arms was he, and of great strength; no man had ever stood against him in fight and held his own.

Then the trumpets sounded and the two met. Fast and furiously did Grantorto rain his blows upon his adversary. This was his manner of fighting, to wit, to overbear his foe by the fierceness of his attack, giving him no respite or breathing-time. But of this Sir Artegall was well aware, and bore himself accordingly. It was as when a sailor sees a storm approaching and strikes his sails and loosens his main-sheet. So did Sir Artegall stoop his head, shunning the great shower of blows. Small shame it is to stoop if a man shall thereafter raise his head the higher. For a time, indeed, it might seem that the tyrant would prevail, so heavy was the shower of blows that he poured upon him, and so many the wounds which the great pole-axe made even through his armour. But ere long the occasion came for which the knight had waited. When the tyrant raised his arm high to strike what should be, he hoped, a mortal blow, Sir Artegall smote under his guard and drove his sword deep into his flank, so that the blood gushed forth in a great stream. Meanwhile the blow of the pole-axe had fallen, and, despite the shield which the knight had raised to defend his head, had bitten so deep that the giant could by no means loose it again. Then Sir Artegall let go his shield, and struck Grantorto on the head with such strength that he brought him to the ground, and, as he lay, with yet another stroke severed his head from his body.

Then all the people, glad to be rid of the tyrant, joyfully hastened to pay their homage to Queen Irene. So she was established on her throne. Sir Artegall tarried awhile to order all things in peace and justice, Talus helping much in the seeking out and punishment of offenders.

CHAPTER XXXV
OF SIR CALIDORE AND THE LADY BRIANA

As Sir Artegall was returning from his latest enterprise, he met a certain Sir Calidore, who was in high repute among the knights and dames of Fairyland for his courtesy and honesty. These two had been friends in old time, and now were right glad to meet.

“Hail, noble sir,” said Sir Calidore, “tell me, I pray you, how you have prospered in your enterprise.”

And when the other had unfolded the whole matter in order, what hindrances he had encountered, and what success he had achieved in the end, “Happy man,” he said, “that have accomplished so great an enterprise! You are at the end of your labours, but I am but beginning mine, nor do I know where to begin; the way is all untried. I know not what dangers await me, nor what provision I must make.”

“What, then, is this enterprise of yours?” said Sir Artegall.

“I pursue,” answered the other, “the Blatant Beast, a monster that, having been nurtured in the regions below, has now come forth on the earth to be the plague and bane of men. My task is to follow him, if need be, all over the world, till I can destroy him.”