said to him, in scorn, "Return again, base kitchen page! What art thou,
but a washer-up of dishes!" "Damsel," said he, "say to me what thou
wilt, I will not leave thee; for I have undertaken to King Arthur to
relieve thy adventure, and I will finish it to the end, or die." "Thou
finish my adventure!" said she--"anon, thou shalt meet one, whose face
thou wilt not even dare to look at." "I shall attempt it," answered he.
So, as they rode thus, into a wood, there met them a man, fleeing, as
for his life. "Whither fleest thou?" said Sir Beaumains. "O lord!" he
answered, "help me; for, in a valley hard by, there are six thieves, who
have taken my lord, and bound him, and I fear will slay him." "Bring me
thither," said Sir Beaumains. So they rode to the place, and Sir
Beaumains rushed after the thieves, and smote one, at the first stroke,
so that he died; and then, with two other blows, slew a second and
third. Then fled the other three, and Sir Beaumains rode after them, and
overtook and slew them all. Then he returned and unbound the knight. And
the knight thanked him, and prayed him to ride to his castle, where he
would reward him. "Sir," answered Sir Beaumains, "I will have no reward
of thee, for but this day was I made knight by the most noble Sir
Lancelot; and besides, I must go with this damsel." Then the knight
begged the damsel to rest that night at his castle. So they all rode
thither, and ever the damsel scoffed at Sir Beaumains as a kitchen boy,
and laughed at him before the knight their host, so that he set his meat
before him at a lower table, as though he were not of their company.
And on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains took their leave of the
knight, and thanking him departed. Then they rode on their way till they
came to a great forest, through which flowed a river, and there was but
one passage over it, whereat stood two knights armed to hinder the way.
"Wilt thou match those two knights," said the damsel to Sir Beaumains,
"or return again?" "I would not return," said he, "though they were
six." Therewith he galloped into the water, and swam his horse into the
middle of the stream. And there, in the river, one of the knights met
him, and they brake their spears together, and then drew their swords,
and smote fiercely at each other. And at the last, Sir Beaumains struck
the other mightily upon the helm, so that he fell down stunned into the
water, and was drowned. Then Sir Beaumains spurred his horse on to the
land, where instantly the other knight fell on him. And they also brake
their spears upon each other, and then drew their swords, and fought
savagely and long together. And after many blows, Sir Beaumains clove
through the knight's skull down to the shoulders. Then rode Sir
Beaumains to the damsel, but ever she still scoffed at him, and said,
"Alas! that a kitchen page should chance to slay two such brave knights!
Thou deemest now that thou hast done a mighty deed, but it is not so;
for the first knight's horse stumbled, and thus was he drowned--not by
thy strength; and as for the second knight, thou wentest by chance
behind him, and didst kill him shamefully." "Damsel," said Sir
Beaumains, "say what ye list, I care not so I may win your lady; and
wouldst thou give me but fair language, all my care were past; for
whatsoever knights I meet, I fear them not." "Thou shalt see knights
that shall abate thy boast, base kitchen knave," replied she; "yet say I
this for thine advantage, for if thou followest me thou wilt be surely
slain, since I see all thou doest is but by chance, and not by thy own
prowess." "Well, damsel," said he, "say what ye will, wherever ye go I
will follow."
So they rode on until the eventide, and still the damsel evermore kept
chiding Sir Beaumains. Then came they to a black space of land, whereon
was a black hawthorn tree, and on the tree there hung a black banner,
and on the other side was a black shield and spear, and by them a great
black horse, covered with silk; and hard by sat a knight armed in black
armor, whose name was the Knight of the Blacklands. When the damsel saw
him, she cried out to Beaumains, "Flee down the valley, for thy horse is
not saddled!" "Wilt thou forever deem me coward?" answered he. With that
came the Black Knight to the damsel, and said, "Fair damsel, hast thou
brought this knight from Arthur's court to be thy champion?" "Not so,
fair knight," said she; "he is but a kitchen knave." "Then wherefore
cometh he in such array?" said he; "it is a shame that he should bear
thee company." "I cannot be delivered from him," answered she: "for in
spite of me he rideth with me; and would to Heaven you would put him
from me, or now slay him, for he hath slain two knights at the river
passage yonder, and done many marvelous deeds through pure mischance."
"I marvel," said the Black Knight, "that any man of worship will fight
with him." "They know him not," said the damsel, "and think, because he
rideth with me, that he is well born." "Truly, he hath a goodly person,
and is likely to be a strong man," replied the knight; "but since he is
no man of worship, he shall leave his horse and armor with me, for it
were a shame for me to do him more harm."
When Sir Beaumains heard him speak thus, he said, "Horse or armor
gettest thou none of me, Sir knight, save thou winnest them with thy
hands; therefore defend thyself, and let me see what thou canst do."
"How sayest thou?" answered the Black Knight. "Now quit this lady also,
for it beseemeth not a kitchen knave like thee to ride with such a
lady." "I am of higher lineage than thou," said Sir Beaumains, "and will
straightway prove it on thy body." Then furiously they drove their
horses at each other, and came together as it had been thunder. But the
Black Knight's spear brake short, and Sir Beaumains thrust him through
the side, and his spear breaking at the head, left its point sticking
fast in the Black Knight's body. Yet did the Black Knight draw his
sword, and smite at Sir Beaumains with many fierce and bitter blows; but
after they had fought an hour and more, he fell down from his horse in a
swoon, and forthwith died. Then Sir Beaumains lighted down and armed
himself in the Black Knight's armor, and rode on after the damsel. But
notwithstanding all his valor, still she scoffed at him, and said,
"Away! for thou savorest ever of the kitchen. Alas! that such a knave
should by mishap destroy so good a knight; yet once again I counsel thee
to flee, for hard by is a knight who shall repay thee!" "It may chance
that I am beaten or slain," answered Sir Beaumains, "but I warn thee,
fair damsel, that I will not flee away, nor leave thy company, or my
quest, for all that ye can say."
Anon, as they rode, they saw a knight come swiftly towards them, dressed
all in green, who, calling to the damsel said, "Is that my brother, the
Black Knight, that ye have brought with you?" "Nay, and alas!" said she,
"this kitchen knave hath slain thy brother through mischance." "Alas!"
said the Green Knight, "that such a noble knight as he was should be
slain by a knave's hand. Traitor!" cried he to Sir Beaumains, "thou
shalt die for this! Sir Pereard was my brother, and a full noble
knight." "I defy thee," said Sir Beaumains, "for I slew him knightly and
not shamefully." Then the Green Knight rode to a thorn whereon hung a
green horn, and, when he blew three notes, there came three damsels
forth, who quickly armed him, and brought him a great horse and a green
shield and spear. Then did they run at one another with their fullest
might, and break their spears asunder; and, drawing their swords, they
closed in fight, and sorely smote and wounded each other with many
grievous blows.
At last, Sir Beaumains' horse jostled against the Green Knight's horse,
and overthrew him. Then both alighted, and, hurtling together like mad
lions, fought a great while on foot. But the damsel cheered the Green
Knight, and said, "My lord, why wilt thou let a kitchen knave so long
stand up against thee?" Hearing these words, he was ashamed, and gave
Sir Beaumains such a mighty stroke as clave his shield asunder. When Sir
Beaumains heard the damsel's words, and felt that blow, he waxed passing
wroth, and gave the Green Knight such a buffet on the helm that he fell
on his knees, and with another blow Sir Beaumains threw him on the
ground. Then the Green Knight yielded, and prayed him to spare his life.
"All thy prayers are vain," said he, "unless this damsel who came with
me pray for thee." "That will I never do, base kitchen knave," said she.
"Then shall he die," said Beaumains. "Alas! fair lady," said the Green
Knight, "suffer me not to die for a word! O, Sir knight," cried he to
Beaumains, "give me my life, and I will ever do thee homage; and thirty
knights, who owe me service, shall give allegiance to thee." "All
availeth not," answered Sir Beaumains, "unless the damsel ask me for thy
life"; and thereupon he made as though he would have slain him. Then
cried the damsel, "Slay him not; for if thou do thou shalt repent it."
"Damsel," said Sir Beaumains, "at thy command, he shall obtain his life.
Arise, Sir knight of the green armor, I release thee!" Then the Green
Knight knelt at his feet, and did him homage with his words. "Lodge with
me this night," said he, "and to-morrow will I guide ye through the
forest." So, taking their horses, they rode to his castle, which was
hard by.
Yet still did the damsel rebuke and scoff at Sir Beaumains, and would
not suffer him to sit at her table. "I marvel," said the Green Knight to
her, "that ye thus chide so noble a knight, for truly I know none to
match him; and be sure, that whatsoever he appeareth now, he will prove,
at the end, of noble blood and royal lineage." But of all this would the
damsel take no heed, and ceased not to mock at Sir Beaumains. On the
morrow, they arose and heard mass; and when they had broken their fast,
took their horses and rode on their way, the Green Knight conveying them
through the forest. Then, when he had led them for a while, he said to
Sir Beaumains, "My lord, my thirty knights and I shall always be at thy
command whensoever thou shalt send for us." "It is well said," replied
he; "and when I call upon you, you shall yield yourself and all your
knights unto King Arthur." "That will we gladly do," said the Green
Knight, and so departed.
And the damsel rode on before Sir Beaumains, and said to him, "Why dost
thou follow me, thou kitchen boy? I counsel thee to throw aside thy
spear and shield, and flee betimes, for wert thou as mighty as Sir
Lancelot or Sir Tristram, thou shouldest not pass a valley near this
place, called the Pass Perilous." "Damsel," answered he, "let him that
feareth flee; as for me, it were indeed a shameful thing to turn after
so long a journey." As he spake, they came upon a tower as white as
snow, with mighty battlements, and double moats round it, and over the
tower-gate hung fifty shields of divers colors. Before the tower walls,
they saw a fair meadow, wherein were many knights and squires in
pavilions, for on the morrow there was a tournament at that castle.
Then the lord of the castle, seeing a knight armed at all points, with a
damsel and a page, riding towards the tower, came forth to meet them;
and his horse and harness, with his shield and spear, were all of a red
color. When he came near Sir Beaumains, and saw his armor all of black,
he thought him his own brother, the Black Knight, and so cried aloud,
"Brother! what do ye here, within these borders?" "Nay!" said the
damsel, "it is not thy brother, but a kitchen knave of Arthur's court,
who hath slain thy brother, and overcome thy other brother also, the
Green Knight." "Now do I defy thee!" cried the Red Knight to Sir
Beaumains, and put his spear in rest and spurred his horse. Then both
knights turned back a little space, and ran together with all their
might, till their horses fell to the earth. Then, with their swords,
they fought fiercely for the space of three hours. And at last, Sir
Beaumains overcame his foe, and smote him to the ground. Then the Red
Knight prayed his mercy, and said, "Slay me not, noble knight, and I
will yield to thee with sixty knights that do my bidding." "All avails
not," answered Sir Beaumains, "save this damsel pray me to release
thee." Then did he lift his sword to slay him; but the damsel cried
aloud, "Slay him not, Beaumains, for he is a noble knight." Then Sir
Beaumains bade him rise up and thank the damsel, which straightway he
did, and afterwards invited them to his castle, and made them goodly
cheer.
But notwithstanding all Sir Beaumains' mighty deeds, the damsel ceased
not to revile and chide him, at which the Red Knight marveled much; and
caused his sixty knights to watch Sir Beaumains, that no villainy might
happen to him. And on the morrow, they heard mass and broke their fast,
and the Red Knight came before Sir Beaumains, with his sixty knights,
and proffered him homage and fealty. "I thank thee," answered he; "and
when I call upon thee thou shalt come before my lord King Arthur at his
court, and yield yourselves to him." "That will we surely do," said the
Red Knight. So Sir Beaumains and the damsel departed.
And as she constantly reviled him and tormented him, he said to her,
"Damsel, ye are discourteous thus always to rebuke me, for I have done
you service; and for all your threats of knights that shall destroy me,
all they who come lie in the dust before me. Now, therefore, I pray you
rebuke me no more till you see me beaten or a recreant, and then bid me
go from you." "There shall soon meet thee a knight who shall repay thee
all thy deeds, thou boaster," answered she, "for, save King Arthur, he
is the man of most worship in the world." "It will be the greater honor
to encounter him," said Sir Beaumains.
Soon after, they saw before them a city passing fair, and between them
and the city was a meadow newly mown, wherein were many goodly tents.
"Seest thou yonder blue pavilion?" said the damsel to Sir Beaumains; "it
is Sir Perseant's, the lord of that great city, whose custom is, in all
fair weather, to lie in this meadow, and joust with his knights."
And as she spake, Sir Perseant, who had espied them coming, sent a
messenger to meet Sir Beaumains, and to ask him if he came in war or
peace. "Say to thy lord," he answered, "that I care not whether of the
twain it be." So when the messenger gave this reply, Sir Perseant came
out to fight with Sir Beaumains. And making ready, they rode their
steeds against each other; and when their spears were shivered asunder,
they fought with their swords. And for more than two hours did they
hack and hew at each other, till their shields and hauberks were all
dented with many blows, and they themselves were sorely wounded. And at
the last, Sir Beaumains smote Sir Perseant on the helm, so that he fell
groveling on the earth. And when he unlaced his helm to slay him, the
damsel prayed for his life. "That will I grant gladly," answered Sir
Beaumains, "for it were pity such a noble knight should die."
"Gramercy!" said Sir Perseant, "for now I certainly know that it was
thou who slewest my brother, the Black Knight, Sir Pereard; and overcame
my brothers, the Green Knight, Sir Pertolope, and the Red Knight, Sir
Perimones; and since thou hast overcome me also, I will do thee homage
and fealty, and place at thy command one hundred knights to do thy
bidding."
But when the damsel saw Sir Perseant overthrown, she marveled greatly at
the might of Sir Beaumains, and said, "What manner of man may ye be, for
now am I sure that ye be come of noble blood? And truly, never did woman
revile knight as I have done thee, and yet ye have ever courteously
borne with me, which surely never had been were ye not of gentle blood
and lineage."
"Lady," replied Sir Beaumains, "a knight is little worth who may not
bear with a damsel; and so whatsoever ye said to me I took no heed, save
only that at times when your scorn angered me, it made me all the
stronger against those with whom I fought, and thus have ye furthered me
in my battles. But whether I be born of gentle blood or no, I have done
you gentle service, and peradventure will do better still, ere I depart
from you."
"Alas!" said she, weeping at his courtesy, "forgive me, fair Sir
Beaumains, all that I have missaid and misdone against you." "With all
my heart," said he; "and since you now speak fairly to me, I am passing
glad of heart, and methinks I have the strength to overcome whatever
knights I shall henceforth encounter."
Then Sir Perseant prayed them to come to his pavilion, and set before
them wines and spices, and made them great cheer. So they rested that
night; and on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains rose, and heard
mass. And when they had broken their fast, they took their leave of Sir
Perseant. "Fair damsel," said he, "whither lead ye this knight?" "Sir,"
answered she, "to the Castle Dangerous, where my sister is besieged by
the Knight of the Redlands." "I know him well," said Sir Perseant, "for
the most perilous knight alive--a man without mercy, and with the
strength of seven men. God save thee, Sir Beaumains, from him! and
enable thee to overcome him, for the Lady Lyones, whom he besiegeth, is
as fair a lady as there liveth in this world." "Thou sayest truth, sir,"
said the damsel; "for I am her sister; and men call me Linet, or the
Wild Maiden." "Now, I would have thee know," said Sir Perseant to Sir
Beaumains, "that the Knight of the Redlands hath kept that siege more
than two years, and prolongeth the time hoping that Sir Lancelot, or Sir
Tristram, or Sir Lamoracke, may come and battle with him; for these
three knights divide between them all knighthood; and thou if thou
mayest match the Knight of the Redlands, shalt well be called the fourth
knight of the world." "Sir," said Sir Beaumains, "I would fain have that
good fame; and truly, I am come of great and honorable lineage. And so
that you and this fair damsel will conceal it, I will tell ye my
descent." And when they swore to keep it secret, he told them, "My name
is Sir Gareth of Orkney, my father was King Lot, and my mother the Lady
Belisent, King Arthur's sister. Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir
Gaheris, are my brethren, and I am the youngest of them all. But, as yet
King Arthur and the court know me not, who I am." When he had thus told
them, they both wondered greatly.
And the damsel Linet sent the dwarf forward to her sister, to tell her
of their coming. Then did Dame Lyones inquire what manner of man the
knight was who was coming to her rescue. And the dwarf told her of all
Sir Beaumains' deeds by the way: how he had overthrown Sir Key, and left
him for dead; how he had battled with Sir Lancelot, and was knighted of
him; how he had fought with, and slain, the thieves; how he had overcome
the two knights who kept the river passage; how he had fought with, and
slain, the Black Knight; and how he had overcome the Green Knight, the
Red Knight, and last of all, the Blue Knight, Sir Perseant. Then was
Dame Lyones passing glad, and sent the dwarf back to Sir Beaumains with
great gifts, thanking him for his courtesy, in taking such a labor on
him for her sake, and praying him to be of good heart and courage. And
as the dwarf returned, he met the Knight of the Redlands, who asked him
whence he came. "I came here with the sister of my lady of the castle,"
said the dwarf, "who hath been now to King Arthur's court and brought a
knight with her to take her battle on him." "Then is her travail lost,"
replied the knight; "for, though she had brought Sir Lancelot, Sir
Tristram, Sir Lamoracke, or Sir Gawain, I count myself their equal, and
who besides shall be so called?" Then the dwarf told the knight what
deeds Sir Beaumains had done; but he answered, "I care not for him,
whosoever he be, for I shall shortly overcome him, and give him shameful
death, as to so many others I have done."
Then the damsel Linet and Sir Beaumains left Sir Perseant, and rode on
through a forest to a large plain, where they saw many pavilions, and
hard by, a castle passing fair.
But as they came near Sir Beaumains saw upon the branches of some trees
which grew there, the dead bodies of forty knights hanging, with rich
armor on them, their shields and swords about their necks, and golden
spurs upon their heels. "What meaneth this?" said he, amazed. "Lose not
thy courage, fair sir," replied the damsel, "at this shameful sight, for
all these knights came hither to rescue my sister; and when the Knight
of the Redlands had overcome them, he put them to this piteous death,
without mercy; and in such wise will he treat thee also unless thou
bearest thee more valiantly than they." "Truly he useth shameful
customs," said Sir Beaumains; "and it is a marvel that he hath endured
so long."
So they rode onward to the castle walls, and found them double-moated,
and heard the sea waves dashing on one side the walls. Then said the
damsel, "See you that ivory horn hanging upon the sycamore-tree? The
Knight of the Redlands hath hung it there, that any knight may blow
thereon, and then will he himself come out and fight with him. But I
pray thee sound it not till high noontide, for now it is but daybreak,
and till noon his strength increases to the might of seven men." "Let
that be as it may, fair damsel," answered he, "for were he stronger
knight than ever lived, I would not fail him. Either will I defeat him
at his mightiest, or die knightly in the field." With that he spurred
his horse unto the sycamore, and blew the ivory horn so eagerly, that
all the castle rang its echoes. Instantly, all the knights who were in
the pavilions ran forth, and those within the castle looked out from the
windows, or above the walls. And the Knight of the Redlands, arming
himself quickly in blood-red armor, with spear, and shield, and horse's
trappings of like color, rode forth into a little valley by the castle
walls, so that all in the castle, and at the siege, might see the
battle.
"Be of good cheer," said the damsel Linet to Sir Beaumains, "for thy
deadly enemy now cometh; and at yonder window is my lady and sister,
Dame Lyones." "In good sooth," said Sir Beaumains, "she is the fairest
lady I have ever seen, and I would wish no better quarrel than to fight
for her." With that, he looked up to the window, and saw the Lady
Lyones, who waved her handkerchief to her sister and to him to cheer
them. Then called the Knight of the Redlands to Sir Beaumains, "Leave
now thy gazing, Sir knight, and turn to me, for I warn thee that lady is
mine." "She loveth none of thy fellowship," he answered; "but know this,
that I love her, and will rescue her from thee, or die." "Say ye so!"
said the Red Knight. "Take ye no warning from those knights that hang on
yonder trees?" "For shame that thou so boastest!" said Sir Beaumains.
"Be sure that sight hath raised a hatred for thee that will not lightly
be put out, and given me not fear, but rage." "Sir knight, defend
thyself," said the Knight of the Redlands, "for we will talk no longer."
Then did they put their spears in rest, and came together at the fullest
speed of their horses, and smote each other in the midst of their
shields, so that their horses' harness sundered by the shock, and they
fell to the ground. And both lay there so long time, stunned, that many
deemed their necks were broken. And all men said the strange knight was
a strong man, and a noble jouster, for none had ever yet so matched the
Knight of the Redlands. Then, in a while, they rose, and putting up
their shields before them, drew their swords, and fought with fury,
running at each other like wild beasts--now striking such buffets that
both reeled backwards, now hewing at each other till they shore the
harness off in pieces, and left their bodies naked and unarmed. And thus
they fought till noon was past, when, for a time, they rested to get
breath, so sorely staggering and bleeding, that many who beheld them
wept for pity. Then they renewed the battle--sometimes rushing so
furiously together, that both fell to the ground, and anon changing
swords in their confusion. Thus they endured, and lashed, and struggled,
until eventide, and none who saw knew which was the likeliest to win;
for though the Knight of the Redlands was a wily and subtle warrior, his
subtlety made Sir Beaumains wilier and wiser too. So once again they
rested for a little space, and took their helms off to find breath.