_How king Arthur pardoned them, and demanded of them where Sir Gareth
was._
Then goodly they said all at once, God forgive you, and we do, and pray
you that ye will tell us where we may find Sir Beaumains. Fair lords,
said Sir Ironside, I cannot tell you, for it is full hard to find him,
for all such young knights as he is one, when they be in their
adventures be never abiding in one place. But to say the worship that
the red knight of the red lawns and Sir Persant and his brothers said
of Beaumains it was marvel to hear. Well, my fair lords, said king
Arthur, wit you well I shall do you honour for the love of Sir
Beaumains, and as soon as ever I meet with him I shall make you all
upon one day knights of the Table Round. And as to thee, Sir Persant of
Inde, thou hast ever been called a full noble knight, and so have ever
been thy three brethren called. But I marvel, said the king, that I
hear not of the black knight your brother, he was a full noble knight.
Sir, said Pertolepe the green knight, Sir Beaumains slew him in a
recounter with his spear, his name was Sir Percard. That was great
pity, said the king, and so said many knights. For these four brethren
were full well known in the court of king Arthur for noble knights, for
long time they had holden war against the knights of the Table Round.
Then said Pertolepe the green knight unto the king: At a passage of the
water of Mortaise there encountered Sir Beaumains with two brethren
that ever for the most part kept that passage, and they were two deadly
knights, and there he slew the eldest brother in the water, and smote
him upon the head such a buffet that he fell down in the water and
there he was drowned, and his name was Gherard le Breusse: and after he
slew the other brother upon the land, and his name was Sir Arnold le
Breusse.