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.
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.
CHAPTER XI. How Sir Beaumains suffered great rebukes of the damosel,
and he suffered it patiently.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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