_How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth because Sir Kay mocked
Beaumains, and of a damsel which desired a knight for to fight for a
lady._
Thereat was Sir Gawaine wroth, and in especial Sir Launcelot bad 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 hath he 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, howsoever
it was, they failed meat and drink, and so hither he is come for his
sustenance. And so Sir Kay bad 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 eat sadly. And then Sir Launcelot after meat bad 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 justing of knights, that would he see and he might. And ever Sir
Launcelot would give him gold to spend, and clothes, and so did Sir
Gawaine. And where 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 royalest 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 damsel with some strange adventures.
Then was the king glad, and set him down. Right so there came a damsel
into the hall, and saluted the king, and prayed him of succour. For
whom, said the king, what is the adventure? Sir, she said, I have a
lady of great worship and renown, and she is besieged with a tyrant, so
that she may not out of her castle. And because here are called the
noblest knights of the world, I come to you to pray you of succour.
What highteth your lady, and where dwelleth she? and who is he, and
what is his name, that hath besieged her? Sir king, she said, as for my
lady’s name that shall not ye know for me as at this time, but I let
you wit she is a lady of great worship, and of great lands. And as for
the tyrant that besiegeth her and destroyeth her lands, he is called
the red knight of the red lawns. I know him not, said the king. Sir,
said Sir Gawaine, I know him well, for he is one of the perilousest
knights of the world: men say that he hath seven men’s strength, and
from him I escaped once full hard with my life. Fair damsel, said the
king, there be knights here would do their power to rescue your lady,
but because ye will not tell her name, nor where she dwelleth,
therefore none of my knights that be here now shall go with you by my
will. Then must I speak further, said the damsel.