“I warn you, fair damsel,” said Beaumains, “that I will not flee away nor leave your company for all that ye can say; therefore, ride on your way, for follow you I will, whatsoever happen.” Thus as they rode together they saw a knight come driving by them all in green, both his horse and his armor, and when he came nigh the damsel, he asked her, “Is that my brother, the Black Knight, that ye have brought with you?” “Nay, nay,” she said, “this kitchen boy hath slain your brother.” “Ah! traitor,” said the Green Knight, “thou shalt die for slaying of my brother.” “I defy thee,” said Beaumains, “for I slew him knightly and not shamefully.” And then they ran together with all their might and fought a long while, and at last Beaumains gave the Green Knight such a buffet upon the helmet that he fell upon his knees. And then the Green Knight cried for mercy and prayed Sir Beaumains to slay him not. “Fair knight,” said the Green Knight, “save my life and I will forgive thee the death of my brother and forever be thy man, and thirty knights that follow me shall forever do you service.” “Sir Knight,” said Beaumains, “all this availeth thee not unless this damsel speak with me for thy life.” And therewith he made a motion as if to slay him. “Let be,” said the damsel, “slay him not, for if thou do thou shalt repent it.” Then Beaumains said, “Sir Knight, I release thee at this damsel’s request.” And then the Green Knight kneeled down and did him homage with his sword, and he said, “Ye shall lodge with me this night and tomorrow I shall help you through this forest.” So they took their horses and rode to his manor. And ever the damsel rebuked Beaumains and would not allow him to sit at her table. “I marvel,” said the Green Knight, “why ye rebuke this noble knight as ye do, for I warn you, damsel, he is a full noble knight and I know no knight is able to match him, therefore you do great wrong to rebuke him.” And on the morrow they took their horses and rode on their way and the Green Knight said, “My lord Beaumains, I and these thirty knights shall be always at your summons both early and late.” “It is well said,” said Beaumains; “when I call upon you ye must yield you unto King Arthur and all your knights.” “If ye so command us, we shall be ready at all times,” said the Green Knight. So then departed the Green Knight. So within a while they saw a town as white as any snow and the lord of the tower was in his castle and looked out at a window and saw a damsel and a knight. So he armed him hastily. And when he was on horseback, it was all red, both his horse and his armor. And when he came nigh he thought it was his brother, the Black Knight, and he cried aloud, “Brother, what do ye here?” “Nay, nay,” said the damsel, “it is not he. This is but a kitchen boy. He hath killed thy brother, the Black Knight. Also I saw thy brother, the Green Knight, overcome by him. Now may ye be revenged on him.”