For in that contree was ther noon That to him durste ride or goon, Neither wyf ne childe; Til that ther cam a greet geaunt, His name was sire Olifaunt, A perilous man of dede.

For in that contree was ther noon
That to him durste ride or goon,
Neither wyf ne childe;
Til that ther cam a greet geaunt,
His name was sire Olifaunt,
A perilous man of dede.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Tale of Sir Thopas. When Sir Thopas rides into fairyland, he meets a three-headed giant named Sir Elephant. But Sir Thopas has forgotten his armor, and he can’t do battle with him. So instead he arranges to meet the giant the next day and rides home to fetch his armor and prepare himself.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes