_How Sir Beaumains fought and slew two knights at a passage._
And on the morn the damsel and he took their leave and thanked the
knight, and so departed, and rode on their way until they came to a
great forest. And there was a great river and but one passage, and
there were ready two knights on the further side, to let them the
passage. What sayest thou, said the damsel, wilt thou match yonder
knights, or turn again? Nay, said Sir Beaumains, I will not turn again
and they were six more. And therewithal he rushed into the water, and
in the midst of the water either brake their spears upon other to their
hands, and then they drew their swords and smote eagerly at other. And
at the last Sir Beaumains smote the other upon the helm that his head
stonied, and therewithal he fell down in the water, and there was he
drowned. And then he spurred his horse upon the land, where the other
knight fell upon him and brake his spear, and so they drew their swords
and fought long together. At the last Sir Beaumains clave his helm and
his head down to the shoulders: and so he rode unto the damsel, and
bade her ride forth on her way. Alas, she said, that ever a kitchen
page should have that fortune to destroy such two doughty knights; thou
weenest thou hast done doughtily; that is not so, for the first knight
his horse stumbled, and there he was drowned in the water, and never it
was by thy force nor by thy might. And the last knight by mishap thou
camest behind him and mishappily thou slewest him. Damsel, said
Beaumains, ye may say what ye will, but with whomsoever I have ado
withall I trust to God to serve him or he depart, and therefore I reck
not what ye say, so that I may win your lady. Fie, fie, foul kitchen
knave, thou shalt see knights that shall abate thy boast. Fair damsel,
give me goodly language, and then my care is past, for what knights
soever they be I care not, nor I doubt them not. Also, said she, I say
it for thine avail, yet mayest thou turn again with thy worship, for
and thou follow me thou art but slain, for I see all that ever thou
dost is but by misadventure, and not by prowess of thy hands. Well,
damsel, ye may say what ye will, but wheresoever ye go I will follow
you. So this Beaumains rode with that lady till even-song time, and
ever she chid him, and would not rest. And then they came to a black
lawn, and there was a black hawthorn, and thereon hung a black banner,
and on the other side there hung a black shield, and by it stood a
black spear great and long, and a great black horse covered with silk,
and a black stone fast by.