_How Beaumains came to the lady, and when he came to the castle the
gates were closed against him, and of the words that the lady said to
him._
Now turn we unto Sir Beaumains, that desired of Linet that he might see
her sister his lady. Sir, said she, I would fain ye saw her. Then Sir
Beaumains all armed him, and took his horse and his spear, and rode
straight unto the castle. And when he came to the gate he found there
many men armed, and pulled up the drawbridge and drew the port close.
Then marvelled he why they would not suffer him to enter. And then he
looked up to the window; and there he saw the fair Liones, that said on
high, Go thy way, Sir Beaumains, for as yet thou shalt not have wholly
my love, unto the time that thou be called one of the number of the
worthy knights. And therefore go labour in worship this twelvemonth,
and then thou shalt hear new tidings. Alas, fair lady, said Beaumains,
I have not deserved that ye should shew me this strangeness, and I had
wend that I should have right good cheer with you, and unto my power I
have deserved thank, and well I am sure I have bought your love with
part of the best blood within my body. Fair courteous knight, said dame
Liones, be not displeased nor over hasty; for wit ye well your great
travail nor good love shall not be lost, for I consider your great
travail and labour, your bounty and your goodness, as me ought to do.
And therefore go on your way, and look that ye be of good comfort, for
all shall be for your worship and for the best, and perdy a twelvemonth
will soon be done, and trust me, fair knight, I shall be true to you,
and never to betray you, but to my death I shall love you and none
other. And therewithal she turned her from the window; and Sir
Beaumains rode away ward from the castle, making great dole, and so he
rode here and there, and wist not where he rode, till it was dark
night. And then it happened him to come to a poor man’s house, and
there he was harboured all that night. But Sir Beaumains had no rest,
but wallowed and writhed for the love of the lady of the castle. And so
upon the morrow he took his horse, and rode until underne, and then he
came to a broad water, and thereby was a great lodge, and there he
alight to sleep, and laid his head upon the shield, and betook his
horse to the dwarf, and commanded him to watch all night. Now turn we
to the lady of the same castle that thought much upon Beaumains, and
then she called unto her Sir Gringamore her brother, and prayed him in
all manner, as he loved her heartily, that he would ride after Sir
Beaumains, and ever have ye wait upon him till ye may find him
sleeping, for I am sure in his heaviness he will alight down in some
place and lay him down to sleep: and therefore have ye your wait upon
him, and in the priviest manner ye can, take his dwarf, and go ye your
way with him as fast as ever ye may or Sir Beaumains awake. For my
sister Linet telleth me that he can tell of what kindred he is come,
and what is his right name. And the mean while I and my sister will
ride unto your castle to await when ye bring with you the dwarf. And
then when ye have brought him unto your castle I will have him in
examination myself: unto the time I know what is his right name and of
what kindred he is come, shall I never be merry at my heart. Sister,
said Sir Gringamore, all this shall be done after your intent. And so
he rode all the other day and the night till that he found Sir
Beaumains lying by a water, and his head upon his shield, for to sleep.
And then when he saw Sir Beaumains fast on sleep, he came stilly
stalking behind the dwarf, and plucked him fast under his arm, and so
he rode away with him as fast as ever he might unto his own castle. And
this Sir Gringamore’s arms were all black, and that to him belonged.
But ever as he rode with the dwarf toward his castle, he cried unto his
lord and prayed him of help. And therewith awoke Sir Beaumains, and up
he lept lightly, and saw where Sir Gringamore rode his way with the
dwarf, and so Sir Gringamore rode out of his sight.