in his walk; but he presently heard himself called again.  “Who calls me?” said he; Cabriole, who was very little and looked closely into the water, cried out, “Never believe me, if it is not a gilded carp.”  Immediately the carp appeared, and with an audible voice said, “Avenant, you saved my life in the poplar meadow, where I must have died without your assistance; and now I am come to requite your kindness.  Here, my dear Avenant, here is the ring which the Fair One with Locks of Gold dropped into the river.”  Upon which he stooped and took it out of the carp’s mouth; to whom he returned a thousand thanks.  And now, instead of returning home, he went directly to the palace with little Cabriole, who skipped about, and wagged his tail for joy, that he had persuaded his master to walk by the side of the river.  The princess being told that Avenant desired an audience:  “Alas,” said she, “the poor youth has come to take his leave of me!  He has considered what I enjoined him as impossible, and is returning to his master.”  But Avenant being admitted, presented her the ring, saying, “Madam, behold I have executed your command; and now, I hope, you will receive my master for your royal consort.”  When she saw her ring, and that it was noways injured, she was so amazed that she could hardly believe her eyes.  “Surely, courteous Avenant,” said she, “you must be favoured by some fairy; for naturally this is impossible.”  “Madam,” said he, “I am acquainted with no fairy; but I was willing to obey your command.”  “Well, then, seeing you have so good a will,” continued she, “you must do me another piece of service, without which I will never marry.  There is a certain prince who lives not far from hence, whose name is Galifron, and whom nothing would serve but that he must needs marry me.  He declared his mind to me, with most terrible menaces, that if I denied him, he would enter my kingdom with fire and sword; but you shall judge whether I would accept his proposal:  he is a giant, as high as a steeple; he devours men as an ape eats chestnuts; when he goes into the country, he carries cannons in his pocket, to use instead of pistols; and when he speaks aloud he deafens the ears of those that stand near him.  I answered him, that I did not choose to marry, and desired him to excuse me.  Nevertheless, he has not ceased to persecute me, and has put an infinite number of my subjects to the sword:  therefore, before all other things you must fight him, and bring me his head.”

Avenant was somewhat startled by this proposal; but, having considered it awhile, “Well, madam,” said he, “I will fight this Galifron; I believe I shall be vanquished; but I will die like a man of courage.”  The princess was astonished at his intrepidity, and said a thousand things to dissuade him from it, but all in vain.  At length he arrived at Galifron’s castle, the roads all the way being strewed with the bones and carcasses of men which the giant had devoured, or cut in pieces.