<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0126" id="link2HCH0126"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER VII. How Beaumains fought with the Knight of the Black Launds, and fought with him till he fell down and died. </h2>
<p>THERE sat a knight all armed in black harness, and his name was the Knight
of the Black Laund. Then the damosel, when she saw that knight, she bade
him flee down that valley, for his horse was not saddled. Gramercy, said
Beaumains, for always ye would have me a coward. With that the Black
Knight, when she came nigh him, spake and said, Damosel, have ye brought
this knight of King Arthur to be your champion? Nay, fair knight, said
she, this is but a kitchen knave that was fed in King Arthur's kitchen for
alms. Why cometh he, said the knight, in such array? it is shame that he
beareth you company. Sir, I cannot be delivered of him, said she, for with
me he rideth maugre mine head: God would that ye should put him from me,
other to slay him an ye may, for he is an unhappy knave, and unhappily he
hath done this day: through mishap I saw him slay two knights at the
passage of the water; and other deeds he did before right marvellous and
through unhappiness. That marvelleth me, said the Black Knight, that any
man that is of worship will have ado with him. They know him not, said the
damosel, and for because he rideth with me, they ween that he be some man
of worship born. That may be, said the Black Knight; howbeit as ye say
that he be no man of worship, he is a full likely person, and full like to
be a strong man: but thus much shall I grant you, said the Black Knight; I
shall put him down upon one foot, and his horse and his harness he shall
leave with me, for it were shame to me to do him any more harm.</p>
<p>When Sir Beaumains heard him say thus, he said, Sir knight, thou art full
large of my horse and my harness; I let thee wit it cost thee nought, and
whether it liketh thee or not, this laund will I pass maugre thine head.
And horse nor harness gettest thou none of mine, but if thou win them with
thy hands; and therefore let see what thou canst do. Sayest thou that?
said the Black Knight, now yield thy lady from thee, for it beseemeth
never a kitchen page to ride with such a lady. Thou liest, said Beaumains,
I am a gentleman born, and of more high lineage than thou, and that will I
prove on thy body.</p>
<p>Then in great wrath they departed with their horses, and came together as
it had been the thunder, and the Black Knight's spear brake, and Beaumains
thrust him through both his sides, and therewith his spear brake, and the
truncheon left still in his side. But nevertheless the Black Knight drew
his sword, and smote many eager strokes, and of great might, and hurt
Beaumains full sore. But at the last the Black Knight, within an hour and
an half, he fell down off his horse in swoon, and there he died. And when
Beaumains saw him so well horsed and armed, then he alighted down and
armed him in his armour, and so took his horse and rode after the damosel.</p>
<p>When she saw him come nigh, she said, Away, kitchen knave, out of the
wind, for the smell of thy bawdy clothes grieveth me. Alas, she said, that
ever such a knave should by mishap slay so good a knight as thou hast
done, but all this is thine unhappiness. But here by is one shall pay thee
all thy payment, and therefore yet I counsel thee, flee. It may happen me,
said Beaumains, to be beaten or slain, but I warn you, fair damosel, I
will not flee away, a nor leave your company, for all that ye can say; for
ever ye say that they will kill me or beat me, but howsomever it happeneth
I escape, and they lie on the ground. And therefore it were as good for
you to hold you still thus all day rebuking me, for away will I not till I
see the uttermost of this journey, or else I will be slain, other truly
beaten; therefore ride on your way, for follow you I will whatsomever
happen.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0127" id="link2HCH0127"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER VIII. How the brother of the knight that was slain met with Beaumains, and fought with Beaumains till he was yielden. </h2>
<p>THUS as they rode together, they saw a knight come driving by them all in
green, both his horse and his harness; and when he came nigh the damosel,
he asked her, Is that my brother the Black Knight that ye have brought
with you? Nay, nay, she said, this unhappy kitchen knave hath slain your
brother through unhappiness. Alas, said the Green Knight, that is great
pity, that so noble a knight as he was should so unhappily be slain, and
namely of a knave's hand, as ye say that he is. Ah! traitor, said the
Green Knight, thou shalt die for slaying of my brother; he was a full
noble knight, and his name was Sir Perard. I defy thee, said Beaumains,
for I let thee wit I slew him knightly and not shamefully.</p>
<p>Therewithal the Green Knight rode unto an horn that was green, and it hung
upon a thorn, and there he blew three deadly motes, and there came two
damosels and armed him lightly. And then he took a great horse, and a
green shield and a green spear. And then they ran together with all their
mights, and brake their spears unto their hands. And then they drew their
swords, and gave many sad strokes, and either of them wounded other full
ill. And at the last, at an overthwart, Beaumains with his horse struck
the Green Knight's horse upon the side, that he fell to the earth. And
then the Green Knight avoided his horse lightly, and dressed him upon
foot. That saw Beaumains, and therewithal he alighted, and they rushed
together like two mighty kemps a long while, and sore they bled both. With
that came the damosel, and said, My lord the Green Knight, why for shame
stand ye so long fighting with the kitchen knave? Alas, it is shame that
ever ye were made knight, to see such a lad to match such a knight, as the
weed overgrew the corn. Therewith the Green Knight was ashamed, and
therewithal he gave a great stroke of might, and clave his shield through.
When Beaumains saw his shield cloven asunder he was a little ashamed of
that stroke and of her language; and then he gave him such a buffet upon
the helm that he fell on his knees. And so suddenly Beaumains pulled him
upon the ground grovelling. And then the Green Knight cried him mercy, and
yielded him unto Sir Beaumains, and prayed him to slay him not. All is in
vain, said Beaumains, for thou shalt die but if this damosel that came
with me pray me to save thy life. And therewithal he unlaced his helm like
as he would slay him. Fie upon thee, false kitchen page, I will never pray
thee to save his life, for I will never be so much in thy danger. Then
shall he die, said Beaumains. Not so hardy, thou bawdy knave, said the
damosel, that thou slay him. Alas, said the Green Knight, suffer me not to
die for a fair word may save me. Fair knight, said the Green Knight, save
my life, and I will forgive thee the death of my brother, and for ever to
become thy man, and thirty knights that hold of me for ever shall do you
service. In the devil's name, said the damosel, that such a bawdy kitchen
knave should have thee and thirty knights' service.</p>
<p>Sir knight, said Beaumains, all this availeth thee not, but if my damosel
speak with me for thy life. And therewithal he made a semblant to slay
him. Let be, said the damosel, thou bawdy knave; slay him not, for an thou
do thou shalt repent it. Damosel, said Beaumains, your charge is to me a
pleasure, and at your commandment his life shall be saved, and else not.
Then he said, Sir knight with the green arms, I release thee quit at this
damosel's request, for I will not make her wroth, I will fulfil all that
she chargeth me. And then the Green Knight kneeled down, and did him
homage with his sword. Then said the damosel, Me repenteth, Green Knight,
of your damage, and of your brother's death, the Black Knight, for of your
help I had great mister, for I dread me sore to pass this forest. Nay,
dread you not, said the Green Knight, for ye shall lodge with me this
night, and to-morn I shall help you through this forest. So they took
their horses and rode to his manor, which was fast there beside.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0128" id="link2HCH0128"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER IX. How the damosel again rebuked Beaumains, and would not suffer him to sit at her table, but called him kitchen boy. </h2>
<p>AND ever she rebuked Beaumains, and would not suffer him to sit at her
table, but as the Green Knight took him and sat him at a side table.
Marvel methinketh, said the Green Knight to the damosel, why ye rebuke
this noble knight as ye do, for I warn you, damosel, he is a full noble
knight, and I know no knight is able to match him; therefore ye do great
wrong to rebuke him, for he shall do you right good service, for
whatsomever he maketh himself, ye shall prove at the end that he is come
of a noble blood and of king's lineage. Fie, fie, said the damosel, it is
shame for you to say of him such worship. Truly, said the Green Knight, it
were shame for me to say of him any disworship, for he hath proved himself
a better knight than I am, yet have I met with many knights in my days,
and never or this time have I found no knight his match. And so that night
they yede unto rest, and all that night the Green Knight commanded thirty
knights privily to watch Beaumains, for to keep him from all treason.</p>
<p>And so on the morn they all arose, and heard their mass and brake their
fast; and then they took their horses and rode on their way, and the Green
Knight conveyed them through the forest; and there the Green Knight said,
My lord Beaumains, I and these thirty knights shall be always at your
summons, both early and late, at your calling and whither that ever ye
will send us. It is well said, said Beaumains; when that I call upon you
ye must yield you unto King Arthur, and all your knights. If that ye so
command us, we shall be ready at all times, said the Green Knight. Fie,
fie upon thee, in the devil's name, said the damosel, that any good
knights should be obedient unto a kitchen knave. So then departed the
Green Knight and the damosel. And then she said unto Beaumains, Why
followest thou me, thou kitchen boy? Cast away thy shield and thy spear,
and flee away; yet I counsel thee betimes or thou shalt say right soon,
alas; for wert thou as wight as ever was Wade or Launcelot, Tristram, or
the good knight Sir Lamorak, thou shalt not pass a pass here that is
called the Pass Perilous. Damosel, said Beaumains, who is afeard let him
flee, for it were shame to turn again sithen I have ridden so long with
you. Well, said the damosel, ye shall soon, whether ye will or not.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0129" id="link2HCH0129"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER X. How the third brother, called the Red Knight, jousted and fought against Beaumains, and how Beaumains overcame him. </h2>
<p>SO within a while they saw a tower as white as any snow, well matchecold
all about, and double dyked. And over the tower gate there hung a fifty
shields of divers colours, and under that tower there was a fair meadow.
And therein were many knights and squires to behold, scaffolds and
pavilions; for there upon the morn should be a great tournament: and the
lord of the tower was in his castle and looked out at a window, and saw a
damosel, a dwarf, and a knight armed at all points. So God me help, said
the lord, with that knight will I joust, for I see that he is a
knight-errant. And so he armed him and horsed him hastily. And when he was
on horseback with his shield and his spear, it was all red, both his horse
and his harness, and all that to him longeth. And when that he came nigh
him he weened it had been his brother the Black Knight; and then he cried
aloud, Brother, what do ye in these marches? Nay, nay, said the damosel,
it is not he; this is but a kitchen knave that was brought up for alms in
King Arthur's court. Nevertheless, said the Red Knight, I will speak with
him or he depart. Ah, said the damosel, this knave hath killed thy
brother, and Sir Kay named him Beaumains, and this horse and this harness
was thy brother's, the Black Knight. Also I saw thy brother the Green
Knight overcome of his hands. Now may ye be revenged upon him, for I may
never be quit of him.</p>
<p>With this either knights departed in sunder, and they came together with
all their might, and either of their horses fell to the earth, and they
avoided their horses, and put their shields afore them and drew their
swords, and either gave other sad strokes, now here, now there, rasing,
tracing, foining, and hurling like two boars, the space of two hours. And
then she cried on high to the Red Knight, Alas, thou noble Red Knight,
think what worship hath followed thee, let never a kitchen knave endure
thee so long as he doth. Then the Red Knight waxed wroth and doubled his
strokes, and hurt Beaumains wonderly sore, that the blood ran down to the
ground, that it was wonder to see that strong battle. Yet at the last Sir
Beaumains struck him to the earth, and as he would have slain the Red
Knight, he cried mercy, saying, Noble knight, slay me not, and I shall
yield me to thee with fifty knights with me that be at my commandment. And
I forgive thee all the despite that thou hast done to me, and the death of
my brother the Black Knight. All this availeth not, said Beaumains, but if
my damosel pray me to save thy life. And therewith he made semblant to
strike off his head. Let be, thou Beaumains, slay him not, for he is a
noble knight, and not so hardy, upon thine head, but thou save him.</p>
<p>Then Beaumains bade the Red Knight, Stand up, and thank the damosel now of
thy life. Then the Red Knight prayed him to see his castle, and to be
there all night. So the damosel then granted him, and there they had merry
cheer. But always the damosel spake many foul words unto Beaumains,
whereof the Red Knight had great marvel; and all that night the Red Knight
made three score knights to watch Beaumains, that he should have no shame
nor villainy. And upon the morn they heard mass and dined, and the Red
Knight came before Beaumains with his three score knights, and there he
proffered him his homage and fealty at all times, he and his knights to do
him service. I thank you, said Beaumains, but this ye shall grant me: when
I call upon you, to come afore my lord King Arthur, and yield you unto him
to be his knights. Sir, said the Red Knight, I will be ready, and my
fellowship, at your summons. So Sir Beaumains departed and the damosel,
and ever she rode chiding him in the foulest manner.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0130" id="link2HCH0130"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER XI. How Sir Beaumains suffered great rebukes of the damosel, and he suffered it patiently. </h2>
<p>DAMOSEL, said Beaumains, ye are uncourteous so to rebuke me as ye do, for
meseemeth I have done you good service, and ever ye threaten me I shall be
beaten with knights that we meet, but ever for all your boast they lie in
the dust or in the mire, and therefore I pray you rebuke me no more; and
when ye see me beaten or yielden as recreant, then may ye bid me go from
you shamefully; but first I let you wit I will not depart from you, for I
were worse than a fool an I would depart from you all the while that I win
worship. Well, said she, right soon there shall meet a knight shall pay
thee all thy wages, for he is the most man of worship of the world, except
King Arthur. I will well, said Beaumains, the more he is of worship, the
more shall be my worship to have ado with him.</p>
<p>Then anon they were ware where was afore them a city rich and fair. And
betwixt them and the city a mile and an half there was a fair meadow that
seemed new mown, and therein were many pavilions fair to behold. Lo, said
the damosel, yonder is a lord that owneth yonder city, and his custom is,
when the weather is fair, to lie in this meadow to joust and tourney. And
ever there be about him five hundred knights and gentlemen of arms, and
there be all manner of games that any gentleman can devise. That goodly
lord, said Beaumains, would I fain see. Thou shalt see him time enough,
said the damosel, and so as she rode near she espied the pavilion where he
was. Lo, said she, seest thou yonder pavilion that is all of the colour of
Inde, and all manner of thing that there is about, men and women, and
horses trapped, shields and spears were all of the colour of Inde, and his
name is Sir Persant of Inde, the most lordliest knight that ever thou
lookedst on. It may well be, said Beaumains, but be he never so stout a
knight, in this field I shall abide till that I see him under his shield.
Ah, fool, said she, thou wert better flee betimes. Why, said Beaumains, an
he be such a knight as ye make him, he will not set upon me with all his
men, or with his five hundred knights. For an there come no more but one
at once, I shall him not fail whilst my life lasteth. Fie, fie, said the
damosel, that ever such a stinking knave should blow such a boast.
Damosel, he said, ye are to blame so to rebuke me, for I had liefer do
five battles than so to be rebuked, let him come and then let him do his
worst.</p>
<p>Sir, she said, I marvel what thou art and of what kin thou art come;
boldly thou speakest, and boldly thou hast done, that have I seen;
therefore I pray thee save thyself an thou mayest, for thy horse and thou
have had great travail, and I dread we dwell over long from the siege, for
it is but hence seven mile, and all perilous passages we are passed save
all only this passage; and here I dread me sore lest ye shall catch some
hurt, therefore I would ye were hence, that ye were not bruised nor hurt
with this strong knight. But I let you wit that Sir Persant of Inde is
nothing of might nor strength unto the knight that laid the siege about my
lady. As for that, said Sir Beaumains, be it as it be may. For sithen I am
come so nigh this knight I will prove his might or I depart from him, and
else I shall be shamed an I now withdraw me from him. And therefore,
damosel, have ye no doubt by the grace of God I shall so deal with this
knight that within two hours after noon I shall deliver him. And then
shall we come to the siege by daylight. O Jesu, marvel have I, said the
damosel, what manner a man ye be, for it may never be otherwise but that
ye be come of a noble blood, for so foul nor shamefully did never woman
rule a knight as I have done you, and ever courteously ye have suffered
me, and that came never but of a gentle blood.</p>
<p>Damosel, said Beaumains, a knight may little do that may not suffer a
damosel, for whatsomever ye said unto me I took none heed to your words,
for the more ye said the more ye angered me, and my wrath I wreaked upon
them that I had ado withal. And therefore all the missaying that ye
missaid me furthered me in my battle, and caused me to think to show and
prove myself at the end what I was; for peradventure though I had meat in
King Arthur's kitchen, yet I might have had meat enough in other places,
but all that I did it for to prove and assay my friends, and that shall be
known another day; and whether that I be a gentleman born or none, I let
you wit, fair damosel, I have done you gentleman's service, and
peradventure better service yet will I do or I depart from you. Alas, she
said, fair Beaumains, forgive me all that I have missaid or done against
thee. With all my heart, said he, I forgive it you, for ye did nothing but
as ye should do, for all your evil words pleased me; and damosel, said
Beaumains, since it liketh you to say thus fair unto me, wit ye well it
gladdeth my heart greatly, and now meseemeth there is no knight living but
I am able enough for him.</p>
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