--- title: How Huon, Having Slain a Giant, Came to Babylon — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees description: How Huon, Having Slain a Giant, Came to Babylon, «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: After these things it was told Huon that there was a certain tower not far from the ci --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/41/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/) / How Huon, Having Slain a Giant, Came t… # How Huon, Having Slain a Giant, Came to Babylon How Huon, Having Slain a Giant, Came to Babylon of «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole text, 137 sentences and 2794 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/41/page/2/) After these things it was told Huon that there was a certain tower not far from the city of Tormont, a very marvellous place where there dwelt a giant, Angolafer by name.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") The gate of this tower, for so the story ran, was kept by two men of brass, each of whom held in his hand an iron flail.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") These two beat with their flails without ceasing for one single moment, the one striking while the other ceased; and this they did so quickly that not even a swallow could fly between them without taking harm.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") But if a man could by any means pass into the tower, and overcome the giant, then he would find treasures without end.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") When Huon heard of these things, he thought in himself, "This is an adventure after my own heart."[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") So he made his way to the tower.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") When he saw the men of brass striking with their flails, he wondered much how he might win by them.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") After a while he spied a bason of gold, tied with a chain to a marble pillar; on this he struck three great strokes with his sword, for he said to himself, "If I may come to speech with some human creature 'twere better than dealing with these men of brass."[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") And so it fell out.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") There was a certain damsel in the tower, Sybil by name, whom the giant kept prisoner, and she, hearing the sound, ran to a window and looked out.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") When she saw Huon, she said, "Who is this?[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") He is a fair knight.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") I judge him to be of France, for I see on his shoulder three crosses, gules; 'twere a pity that he should come to harm; yet what could fifty knights do against this giant?[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Yet if he is come for some good end, I would fain help him."[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Now there was a handle which, being turned, stayed the beating of the flails.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") The Lady Sybil thought within herself, "Dare I do this thing?[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Yet it were better to die than to remain in this bondage."[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Also she heard the breathing of the giant, as of one in deep sleep.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon she turned the handle, and Huon entered the palace.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") But when he passed from the gates to the hall, and from the hall to a chamber, and from this to other chambers, and saw no one, only dead men lying here and there, he was not a little astonished.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") After he had so wandered awhile, he heard the voice of a damsel that wept, which sound he followed till he came to the place where she sat. "Why weep you?" he said. "[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") I weep," she answered, "because you are in great peril.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Know that I am a Christian woman, though I have not talked with a Christian these seven years.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") My father, making pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre, was shipwrecked in this place.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Him, with all his train, the giant slew, but me he kept alive." "[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Tell me, lady," said Huon, "who you are?" "[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") I am daughter," she answered, "to Guynemer, that was Earl of St. Omer, and married to a sister of Duke Sevyn of Bordeaux." "[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Then," said he, "you are my kinswoman, for I am the elder son of the same Duke Sevyn;" and he greeted her full courteously. "[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") And now I am on the way to the Admiral of Babylon, having been sent on an errand by Charlemagne.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") But tell me of this giant." "[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Nay," said she, "you would do well to depart while he sleeps."[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") But Huon would have none of this counsel. "[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") I should take to myself shame," said he, "if I should fear this villain." "[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") If you are so minded," answered Sybil, "you will find him in the fourth chamber from this."[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") When Huon was come to the fourth chamber, he saw the giant, a most monstrous creature to behold, asleep on a bed, and cried aloud, "Rise up, thou heathen dog, or I will strike off thy head!"[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") The giant answered, "Not a hundred such as you would prevail over me were I armed; even now I fear you not." "[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Gird on your armour," said Huon, "I would not fight with a naked man." "[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") That is bravely and courteously said," quoth the giant. "[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Tell me your name and country."[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Huon answered, "I am a poor knight of France, whom Charlemagne has sent on an errand to the Admiral of Babylon." "[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") From that same Admiral," said the giant, "I have taken not one town only, but many.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") This tower I took from Oberon, who is a great Prince in these parts, and with it a suit of armour which no one may wear save he be without guilt.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Now, for your courtesy, you shall try it, if you will."[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Huon took the armour, and put it on him, and lo! he bare it easily. "[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") I see," said the giant, "that you are a worthy knight; now that you have proved the armour, deliver it to me again." "[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") That will not I," answered Huon, "not for twelve of the fairest cities that are between this place and Paris." "[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Friend," said the giant again, "if you will but deliver to me the armour, I will let you depart hence without harm; also I will give you a ring of gold which I had of this same Admiral of Babylon.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Whoso has this ring can pass where he will."[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") "I owe you no thanks for the gift," said Huon, "for the ring I can take at my pleasure, when you shall have been slain."[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereat the giant, in great wrath, made at him with a falchion that he carried in his hand, but missing his stroke, he smote a pillar that stood hard by so sharply that the steel fixed itself in the stone.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") When Huon saw what had befallen, he smote the giant and struck off both his hands.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") The giant turned to flee, but the Lady Sybil, for she had come desiring to save the Christian knight, threw a staff between his legs so that he fell headlong to the earth: when Huon saw him lie thus, he smote off his head with one stroke of his sword.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") This done, Huon looked forth from a window of the tower, and cried to his comrades, where they stood in no little fear, "Come up hither, I have slain the giant."[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the Lady Sybil turned the handle as before, so that the flails were stayed and they entered the tower.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") The day being now far spent, they sat down to supper, and made good cheer.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") On the morrow, Huon said to his companions, "Tarry you here in the tower with the Lady Sybil, for I will go to Babylon alone.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") If I come not again in fifteen days, then take ship, and depart to the land of France."[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") But Gerames said, "Not so, my lord; we will tarry for you the space of a whole year."[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") And to this they all agreed.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Huon, therefore, journeyed to Babylon.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") When he came near to the city, he perceived that the woods were crowded with wayfarers, some that went a-hawking and some that came back from their sport, and merchants, and travellers, with horses and carriages.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") He marvelled to see them, for they were strange of aspect to him; and they also marvelled at him, for the fashion of his armour was not the fashion of their country.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") So much was he occupied with the sight, that the giant's ring passed wholly from his mind, from which forgetting there came to him, as will be seen, much trouble.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") When he came to the Admiral's palace, he cried to the porter that he should open the gate.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") The porter would know whether he was a Saracen. "[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") That am I," answered Huon, thinking that otherwise he would not be suffered to enter.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") So the porter opened to him.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Huon straightway remembered the ring, and said to himself, "I have sinned in lying to this fellow, and this to no purpose, having the ring."[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") After this he came to a second gate, and a porter thereat, who opened to him at the sight of the ring; and after the second, a third, and after the third, a fourth, which he passed in the same way.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/41/page/2/) - ← previous: [Of the End of the False Duke Macaire](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/40/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/41/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)