Phantastes, A Faerie Romance

But we seemed to adopt the same resolution simultaneously; for each

caught up his favourite weapon, and, leaving his defence behind, sprang

to the door. I snatched up a long rapier, abruptly, but very finely

pointed, in my sword-hand, and in the other a sabre; the elder brother

seized his heavy battle-axe; and the younger, a great, two-handed sword,

which he wielded in one hand like a feather. We had just time to get

clear of the tower, embrace and say good-bye, and part to some little

distance, that we might not encumber each other's motions, ere the

triple giant-brotherhood drew near to attack us. They were about twice

our height, and armed to the teeth.

Through the visors of their helmets

their monstrous eyes shone with a horrible ferocity. I was in the middle

position, and the middle giant approached me. My eyes were busy with his

armour, and I was not a moment in settling my mode of attack. I saw that

his body-armour was somewhat clumsily made, and that the overlappings

in the lower part had more play than necessary; and I hoped that, in

a fortunate moment, some joint would open a little, in a visible and

accessible part. I stood till he came near enough to aim a blow at me

with the mace, which has been, in all ages, the favourite weapon of

giants, when, of course, I leaped aside, and let the blow fall upon the

spot where I had been standing. I expected this would strain the joints

of his armour yet more. Full of fury, he made at me again; but I kept

him busy, constantly eluding his blows, and hoping thus to fatigue him.

He did not seem to fear any assault from me, and I attempted none as

yet; but while I watched his motions in order to avoid his blows, I, at

the same time, kept equal watch upon those joints of his armour, through

some one of which I hoped to reach his life. At length, as if somewhat

fatigued, he paused a moment, and drew himself slightly up; I bounded

forward, foot and hand, ran my rapier right through to the armour of

his back, let go the hilt, and passing under his right arm, turned as

he fell, and flew at him with my sabre.

At one happy blow I divided the

band of his helmet, which fell off, and allowed me, with a second cut

across the eyes, to blind him quite; after which I clove his head, and

turned, uninjured, to see how my brothers had fared. Both the giants

were down, but so were my brothers. I flew first to the one and then

to the other couple. Both pairs of combatants were dead, and yet locked

together, as in the death-struggle. The elder had buried his battle-axe

in the body of his foe, and had fallen beneath him as he fell. The giant

had strangled him in his own death-agonies. The younger had nearly hewn

off the left leg of his enemy; and, grappled with in the act, had,

while they rolled together on the earth, found for his dagger a passage

betwixt the gorget and cuirass of the giant, and stabbed him mortally in

the throat. The blood from the giant's throat was yet pouring over the

hand of his foe, which still grasped the hilt of the dagger sheathed

in the wound. They lay silent. I, the least worthy, remained the sole

survivor in the lists.