"With all my heart," said Sir Beaumains, "I forgive it you, for ye did nothing but as ye ought to do, for all your evil words pleased me; and, damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "sith [_since_] it liketh you to speak thus fair to me, wit ye well it gladdeth greatly mine heart; and now meseemeth there is no knight living but I am able enough for him." * * * * * With this Sir Persant of Inde had espied them, as they hoved [_hovered_] in the field, and knightly he sent to them to know whether he came in war or in peace. "Say unto thy lord," said Sir Beaumains, "I take no force,[14] but whether as him list[15] himself." [Footnote 14: "I take no force," _I care not_.] [Footnote 15: "Him list," _he wishes, he pleases_.] So the messenger went again unto Sir Persant, and told him all his answer. "Well," said he, "then will I have ado with him to the uttermost;" and so he purveyed him [_prepared himself_], and rode against him. And when Sir Beaumains saw him, he made him ready, and there they met with all the might that their horses might run, and brake their spears either in three pieces, and their horses rashed so together that both their horses fell dead to the earth; and lightly they avoided their horses, and put their shields before them, and drew their swords, and gave each other many great strokes, that sometime they so hurled together that they fell both grovelling on the ground. Thus they fought two hours and more, that their shields and their hauberks were all forhewen [_hewn to pieces_] and in many places they were sore wounded. So at the last Sir Beaumains smote him through the cost [_rib part_] of the body, and then he retrayed him [_drew back_] here and there, and knightly maintained his battle long time. And at the last Sir Beaumains smote Sir Persant on the helm that he fell grovelling to the earth, and then he leaped overthwart [_across_] upon him, and unlaced his helm for to have slain him. Then Sir Persant yielded him, and asked him mercy. With that came the damsel and prayed him to save his life. "I will well," said Sir Beaumains, "for it were pity that this noble knight should die." "Gramercy," said Sir Persant, "gentle knight and damsel, for certainly now I know well it was you that slew the black knight my brother at the blackthorn; he was a full noble knight, his name was Sir Periard. Also I am sure that ye are he that won mine other brother the green knight: his name was Sir Pertolope. Also ye won the red knight, my brother, Sir Perimones. And now, sir, sith ye have won these knights, this shall I do for to please you: ye shall have homage and fealty of me, and an hundred knights to be always at your command, to go and ride where ye will command us." And so they went unto Sir Persant's pavilion, and there he drank wine and eat spices. And afterward Sir Persant made him to rest upon a bed till it was supper time, and after supper to bed again. And so we leave him there till on the morrow.