Therewithal the green knight rode unto an horn that was green, and it hung upon a thorn, and there he blew three deadly notes, and there came three damsels that lightly armed him. And then took he 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' 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 champions a long while, and sore they bled both. With that came the damsel 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 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 damsel 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 never will be so much in thy danger." "Then shall he die," said Beaumains. "Not so hardy, thou foul knave," said the damsel, "that thou slay him." "Alas," said the green knight, "suffer me not to die, for a fair word may save my life. O fair knight," said the green knight, "save my life, and I will forgive 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." Said the damsel, "That such a kitchen knave should have thee and thirty knights' service!" "Sir knight," said Sir Beaumains, "all this availeth not, but if my damsel speak with me for thy life." And therewithal he made resemblance to slay him. "Let be," said the damsel, "thou knave, slay him not, for if thou do, thou shalt repent it." "Damsel," said Sir 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 [_acquitted_] at this damsel'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. * * * * *