With this the knights came together with all their might and fought furiously for two hours, so that it was wonder to see that strong battle. Yet at the last, Sir Beaumains struck the Red Knight to the earth. And the Red Knight cried mercy, saying, “Noble knight, slay me not, and I shall yield me to thee with sixty knights that be at my command. And I forgive thee all thou hast done to me, and the death of my brother, the Black Knight.” “All this availeth not,” said Beaumains, “unless the damsel pray me to save thy life.” And therewith he made a motion as if to slay him. “Let be,” said the damsel; “slay him not, for he is a noble knight.” Then Beaumains bade the Red Knight stand up and the Red Knight prayed them to see his castle and rest there that night. And upon the morn he came before Beaumains with his three score knights and offered him his homage and service. “I thank you,” said Beaumains, “but this ye shall grant me: to come before my lord King Arthur and yield you unto him to be his knight, when I call upon you.” “Sir,” said the Red Knight, “I will be ready at your summons.” So Sir Beaumains departed and the damsel, and ever she rode chiding him. “Damsel,” said Beaumains, “ye are uncourteous to rebuke me as ye do, for I have done you good service.” “Well,” said she, “right soon ye shall meet a knight who shall pay thee all thy wages, for he is the greatest of the world, except King Arthur.” And soon there was before them a city rich and fair, and between them and the city there was a fair meadow and therein were many pavilions fair to behold. “Lo,” said the damsel, “yonder is a lord that owneth yonder city and his custom is when the weather is fair to joust in this meadow. And ever there be about him five hundred knights and gentlemen of arms.” “That goodly lord,” said Beaumains, “would I fain behold.” “Thou shalt see him time enough,” said the damsel, and so as she rode near she saw the pavilion where he was. “Lo,” said she, “seest thou yonder pavilion that is all blue of color, and the lord’s name is Sir Persant, the 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 until I see him.” “Sir,” she said, “I marvel what thou art; boldly thou speakest and boldly thou hast done, that have I seen; therefore I pray thee save thyself, for thou and thy horse are weary and here I dread me sore lest ye catch some hurt. But I must tell you that Sir Persant is nothing in might unto the knight that laid the siege about my lady.” “As for that,” said Sir Beaumains, “since I have come so nigh this knight, I will prove his might before I depart from him.” “Oh,” said the damsel, “I marvel what manner of man ye be, for so shamefully did never woman treat knight as I have done you and ever courteously ye have borne it. Alas, Sir Beaumains, forgive me all that I have said or done against thee.”