Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and in especial Sir Launcelot bade Sir
Kay leave his mocking, for I dare lay my head he shall prove a man of
great worship. Let be said Sir Kay, it may not be by no reason, for as
he is, so he hath asked. Beware, said Sir Launcelot, so ye gave the
good knight Brewnor, Sir Dinadan’s brother, a name, and ye called him
La Cote Male Taile, and that turned you to anger afterward. As for
that, said Sir Kay, this shall never prove none such. For Sir Brewnor
desired ever worship, and this desireth bread and drink and broth; upon
pain of my life he was fostered up in some abbey, and, howsomever it
was, they failed meat and drink, and so hither he is come for his
sustenance.
And so Sir Kay bade get him a place, and sit down to meat; so Beaumains
went to the hall door, and set him down among boys and lads, and there
he ate sadly. And then Sir Launcelot after meat bade him come to his
chamber, and there he should have meat and drink enough. And so did Sir
Gawaine: but he refused them all; he would do none other but as Sir Kay
commanded him, for no proffer. But as touching Sir Gawaine, he had
reason to proffer him lodging, meat, and drink, for that proffer came
of his blood, for he was nearer kin to him than he wist. But that as
Sir Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy.
So thus he was put into the kitchen, and lay nightly as the boys of the
kitchen did. And so he endured all that twelvemonth, and never
displeased man nor child, but always he was meek and mild. But ever
when that he saw any jousting of knights, that would he see an he
might. And ever Sir Launcelot would give him gold to spend, and
clothes, and so did Sir Gawaine, and where there were any masteries
done, thereat would he be, and there might none cast bar nor stone to
him by two yards. Then would Sir Kay say, How liketh you my boy of the
kitchen? So it passed on till the feast of Whitsuntide. And at that
time the king held it at Carlion in the most royallest wise that might
be, like as he did yearly. But the king would no meat eat upon the
Whitsunday, until he heard some adventures. Then came there a squire to
the king and said, Sir, ye may go to your meat, for here cometh a
damosel with some strange adventures. Then was the king glad and sat
him down.
Right so there came a damosel into the hall and saluted the king, and
prayed him of succour. For whom? said the king, what is the adventure?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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