_How the brother of the knight that was slain met with Beaumains, and
fought with Beaumains till he was yielden._
Thus as they rode together, they saw a knight come driving by them all
in green, both his horse and his harness; and when he came nigh the
damsel he asked her, Is that my brother the black knight that ye have
brought with you? Nay, nay, said she, this unhappy kitchen knave hath
slain your brother through unhappiness. Alas, said the green knight,
that is great pity that so noble a knight as he was should so unhappily
be slain, and namely of a knave’s hand, as ye say that he is. Ah!
traitor, said the green knight, thou shalt die for slaying of my
brother, he was a full noble knight, and his name was Sir Percard. I
defy thee, said Beaumains, for I let thee wit I slew him knightly, and
not shamefully. Therewithall 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 two damsels and armed him lightly. 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, 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 alight,
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
groveling. 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 me. Fair knight, said the green
knight, save my life, and I will forgive thee 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. In the devil’s name, said the damsel, that
such a foul kitchen knave should have thee and thirty knights’ service.
Sir knight, said Beaumains, all this availeth thee not, but if my
damsel speak with me for thy life. And therewithal he made a semblant
to slay him. Let be, said the damsel, thou foul knave, slay him not,
for and thou do thou shalt repent it. Damsel, said 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 at this damsel’s request, for I will not make her
wroth; I will fulfill all that she chargeth me. And then the green
knight kneeled down, and did him homage with his sword. Then said the
damsel, Me repenteth, green knight, of your damage, and of your
brother’s death the black knight, for of your help I had great need,
for I dread me sore to pass this forest. Nay, dread you not, said the
green knight, for ye shall lodge with me this night, and to morn I
shall help you through this forest. So they took their horses and rode
to his manor, which was fast there beside.