“What can I do to aid thee, gentle maiden?” he said.  “You have but to command me; henceforth I am thy knight, to do battle for thee.”

The damsel blushed at the courteous words, but she lifted her eyes bravely to the champion who had so unexpectedly appeared to protect her.

“Return to my castle,” she said, “and there thou wilt find a consecrated net.  Bring it hither.  If I lay it upon the giant he will become as weak as a babe and will be easily overcome.”

Eagerly the young knight obeyed the command, and having found the net according to the damsel’s directions, he made all haste to return.  At the grotto he paused and hid himself, for the strident voice of the giant could be heard within.  Presently the monster emerged, and departed in search of reeds wherewith to make a pipe.  No sooner had he disappeared than the maiden issued from the grotto, and Sir Eppo came out of his concealment and gave her the consecrated net.  She spoke a few words of heartfelt gratitude, and then hurried with her treasure to the top of the mountain, where she knew the giant had intended to go.

Arrived at her destination, she laid down the net and covered it with moss, leaves, and sweet-smelling herbs.  While engaged in her task the giant came up, and the damsel smilingly told him that she was preparing a couch whereon he might take some rest.  Gratified at her solicitude, he stretched himself unsuspectingly on the fragrant pile.  In a moment the damsel, uttering the name of the Trinity, threw a portion of the net over him, so that he was completely enveloped.  Immediately there arose such loud oaths and lamentations that the damsel ran in terror to the knight, who had now come upon the scene.

“Let us fly,” she said, “lest he should escape and pursue us.”

But Sir Eppo strode to the place where the howling monster lay entangled in the net, and with a mighty effort rolled him over a steep precipice, where he was instantly killed.

The story ends happily, for Sir Eppo and the maiden he had rescued were married soon after; and on the spot where they had first met was raised the castle of Eppstein.  It is said that the bones of the giant may still be seen there.

Floersheim:  The Shepherd Knight

In the now ruined castle of Wilenstein, overlooking the wooded heights of the Westrich, dwelt Sir Bodo of Floersheim and his fair daughter Adeline.  The maiden’s beauty, no less than her father’s wealth, attracted suitors in plenty from the neighbouring strongholds, but the spirit of love had not yet awakened in her bosom and each and all were repulsed with disconcerting coldness and indifference, and they left the schloss vowing that the lovely Adeline was utterly heartless.