_How Sir Gareth came to a castle where he was well lodged, and how he
justed with a knight and he slew him._
Then Sir Gareth rode unto the barbican of the castle, and prayed the
porter fair to let him into the castle. The porter answered ungoodly
again, and said, Thou gettest no lodging here. Fair sir, say not so,
for I am a knight of king Arthur’s, and pray the lord or the lady of
this castle to give me harbour for the love of king Arthur. Then the
porter went unto the duchess, and told her how there was a knight of
king Arthur’s would have harbour. Let him in, said the duchess, for I
will see that knight, and for king Arthur’s sake he shall not be
harbourless. Then she went up into a tower over the gate, with great
torch light. When Sir Gareth saw that torch light, he cried on high,
Whether thou be lord or lady, giant or champion, I take no force, so
that I may have harbour this night, and if it be so that I must needs
fight, spare me not to morn when I have rested me, for both I and my
horse be weary. Sir knight, said the lady, thou speakest knightly and
boldly, but wit thou well that the lord of this castle loveth not king
Arthur, nor none of his court, for my lord hath ever been against him,
and therefore thou were better not to come within this castle. For and
thou come in this night, thou must come in under such form, that
wheresoever thou meet my lord, by lane, or by street, thou must yield
thee to him as prisoner. Madam, said Sir Gareth, what is your lord, and
what is his name? Sir, my lord’s name is the duke de la Rowse. Well,
madam, said Sir Gareth, I shall promise you in what place I meet your
lord, I shall yield me unto him and to his good grace, with that I
understand he will do me no harm: and if I understand that he will,
will I release myself and I can with my spear and with my sword. Ye say
well, said the duchess, and then she let the draw-bridge down. And so
he rode into the hall, and there he alight, and his horse was led into
a stable, and in the hall he unarmed him and said, Madam, I will not
out of this hall this night; and when it is day-light let see who will
have ado with me, he shall find me ready. Then was he set unto supper,
and had many good dishes. Then Sir Gareth list well to eat, and
knightly he ate his meat, and eagerly; there was many a fair lady by
him, and some of them said they never saw a goodlier man, nor so well
of eating. Then they made him passing good cheer. And shortly when he
had supped, his bed was made there; so he rested him all night. And on
the morn he heard mass, and broke his fast, and took his leave at the
duchess, and at them all, and thanked her goodly of her lodging, and of
his good cheer. And then she asked him his name. Madam, said he, truly,
my name is Gareth of Orkney, and some men call me Beaumains. Then knew
she well it was the same knight that fought for dame Liones. So Sir
Gareth departed, and rode up into a mountain, and there met him a
knight, his name was Sir Bendelaine, and said to Sir Gareth, Thou shalt
not pass this way, for either thou shalt just with me, or be my
prisoner. Then will I just, said Sir Gareth. And so they let their
horses run, and there Sir Gareth smote him throughout the body, and Sir
Bendelaine rode forth to his castle there beside, and there died. So
Sir Gareth would have rested him, and he came riding to Bendelaine’s
castle. Then his knights and his servants espied that it was he that
had slain their lord. Then they armed twenty good men, and came out and
assailed Sir Gareth, and so he had no spear, but his sword, and put his
shield afore him, and there they brake their spears upon him, and they
assailed him passingly sore. But ever Sir Gareth defended him as a
knight.