_How Beaumains departed, and how he gat of Sir Kay a spear and a
shield, and how he justed and fought with Sir Launcelot._
But there went many after to behold how well he was horsed and trapped
in cloth of gold, but he had neither shield nor spear. Then Sir Kay
said all openly in the hall, I will ride after my boy in the kitchen,
to wit whether he will know me for his better. Said Sir Launcelot and
Sir Gawaine, Yet abide at home. So Sir Kay made him ready and took his
horse and his spear and rode after him. And right as Beaumains overtook
the damsel, right so came Sir Kay, and said, Beaumains, what sir know
ye not me? Then he turned his horse and knew it was Sir Kay, that had
done him all the despite as ye have heard afore. Yea, said Beaumains, I
know you for an ungentle knight of the court, and therefore beware of
me. Therewith Sir Kay put his spear in the rest, and ran straight upon
him, and Beaumains came as fast upon him with his sword in his hand;
and so he put away his spear with his sword, and with a foin thrust him
through the side, that Sir Kay fell down as he had been dead, and he
alight down and took Sir Kay’s shield and his spear, and start upon his
own horse and rode his way. All that saw Sir Launcelot, and so did the
damsel. And then he bad his dwarf start upon Sir Kay’s horse, and so he
did. By that Sir Launcelot was come. Then he proffered Sir Launcelot to
just, and either made them ready, and came together so fiercely that
either bare down other to the earth, and sore were they bruised. Then
Sir Launcelot arose and helped him from his horse. And then Beaumains
threw his shield from him, and proffered to fight with Sir Launcelot on
foot, and so they rushed together like boars, tracing, racing, and
foining, to the mountenance of an hour, and Sir Launcelot felt him so
big that he marvelled of his strength, for he fought more like a giant
than a knight, and that his fighting was durable and passing perilous.
For Sir Launcelot had so much ado with him that he dread himself to be
shamed, and said, Beaumains, fight not so sore, your quarrel and mine
is not so great but we may leave off. Truly, that is truth, said
Beaumains, but it doth me good to feel your might, and yet, my lord, I
shewed not the utterance.