He had suddenly appeared at a distant part of the kingdom--having come, it was said, from a country over the sea named 'Norrowa'-- and had laid it waste, for though he did not actually kill or devour, he tore down trees, trampled crops, and terrified every one that came in his way, as the king had said.

And when begged to have mercy and to return to his own country, he roared out with a voice between the voice of a man and the bellow of a bull, that he would leave them in peace once the king gave him his daughter in marriage.
"Messenger after messenger had been sent to the palace to entreat for assistance.

Soldiers in numbers had been despatched to seize the monster and imprison him.

But it was no use--he was not to be caught.

Nothing would content him but the promise of the Princess; and as it was of course plain that he was not a common bull, but a creature endowed with magical power, the country-people's fear of him was unbounded.