He took an arrow from the quiver, placed it in the bow, and raising his head, saw a great herd of swine rushing towards the spring where he stood.  Morgante shot one of them clean through the head, and laid him sprawling.  Another, as if in revenge, ran towards the giant, without giving him time to use a second arrow; so he lent him a cuff on the head which broke the bone, and killed him also; which stroke the rest seeing fled in haste through the valley.  Morgante then placed the tub full of water upon one of his shoulders, and the two porkers on the other, and returned to the abbey which was at some distance, without spilling a drop.

The monks were delighted to see the fresh water, but still more the pork; for there is no animal to whom food comes amiss.  They let their breviaries therefore go to sleep a while, and fell heartily to work, so that the cats and dogs had reason to lament the polish of the bones.

“But why do we stay here doing nothing?” said Orlando one day to Morgante; and he shook hands with the abbot, and told him he must take his leave.  “I must go,” said he, “and make up for lost time.  I ought to have gone long ago, my good father; but I cannot tell you what I feel within me, at the content I have enjoyed here in your company.  I shall bear in mind and in heart with me for ever the abbot, the abbey, and this desert, so great is the love they have raised in me in so short a time.  The great God, who reigns above, must thank you for me, in his own abode.  Bestow on us your benediction, and do not forget us in your prayers.”

When the abbot heard the County Orlando talk thus, his heart melted within him for tenderness, and he said, “Knight, if we have failed in any courtesy due to your prowess and great gentleness (and indeed what we have done has been but little), pray put it to the account of our ignorance, and of the place which we inhabit.  We are but poor men of the cloister, better able to regale you with masses and orisons and paternosters, than with dinners and suppers.  You have so taken this heart of mine by the many noble qualities I have seen in you, that I shall be with you still wherever you go; and, on the other hand, you will always be present here with me.  This seems a contradiction; but you are wise, and will take my meaning discreetly.  You have saved the very life and spirit within us; for so much perplexity had those giants cast about our place, that the way to the Lord among us was blocked up.  May He who sent you into these woods reward the justice and piety by which we are delivered from our trouble.  Thanks be to him and to you.  We shall all be disconsolate at your departure.  We shall grieve that we cannot detain you among us for months and years; but you do not wear these weeds; you bear arms and armour; and you may possibly merit as well in carrying those, as in wearing this cap.  You read your Bible, and your virtue has been the means of shewing the giant the way to heaven.  Go in peace then, and prosper, whoever you may be.  I do not seek your name; but if ever I am asked who it was that came among us, I shall say that it was an angel from God.  If there is any armour or other thing that you would have, go into the room where it is, and take it.”