Julian thrust his lance between his dewlaps.

But his weapon snapped as if the beast were made of bronze; then he closed his eyes in anticipation of his death.

When he opened them again, the bull had vanished.
Then his soul collapsed with shame.

Some supernatural power destroyed his strength, and he set out for home through the forest.

The woods were a tangle of creeping plants that he had to cut with his sword, and while he was thus engaged, a weasel slid between his feet, a panther jumped over his shoulder, and a serpent wound itself around the ash-tree.
Among its leaves was a monstrous jackdaw that watched Julian intently, and here and there, between the branches, appeared great, fiery sparks as if the sky were raining all its stars upon the forest.