And at the last,at an overthwart,Beaumains with his horse struck the Green Knight's horse upon the side,that 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 alighted,and they rushed together like two mighty kemps a long while,and sore they bled both.With that came the damosel,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 to 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 grovelling.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 damosel 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 will never be so much in thy danger.Then shall he die,said Beaumains.Not so hardy,thou bawdy knave,said the damosel,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 damosel,that such a bawdy kitchen knave should have thee and thirty knights'service.
Sir knight,said Beaumains,all this availeth thee not,but if my damosel speak with me for thy life.And therewithal he made a semblant to slay him.Let be,said the damosel,thou bawdy knave;slay him not,for an thou do thou shalt repent it.
Damosel,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 damosel's request,for I will not make her wroth,I will fulfil all that she chargeth me.And then the Green Knight kneeled down,and did him homage with his sword.Then said the damosel,Me repenteth,Green Knight,of your damage,and of your brother's death,the Black Knight,for of your help I had great mister,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.
CHAPTER IX
How the damosel again rebuked Beaumains,and would not suffer him to sit at her table,but called him kitchen boy.
AND ever she rebuked Beaumains,and would not suffer him to sit at her table,but as the Green Knight took him and sat him at a side table.Marvel methinketh,said the Green Knight to the damosel,why ye rebuke this noble knight as ye do,for I warn you,damosel,he is a full noble knight,and I know no knight is able to match him;therefore ye do great wrong to rebuke him,for he shall do you right good service,for whatsomever he maketh himself,ye shall prove at the end that he is come of a noble blood and of king's lineage.Fie,fie,said the damosel,it is shame for you to say of him such worship.Truly,said the Green Knight,it were shame for me to say of him any disworship,for he hath proved himself a better knight than I am,yet have I met with many knights in my days,and never or this time have I found no knight his match.And so that night they yede unto rest,and all that night the Green Knight commanded thirty knights privily to watch Beaumains,for to keep him from all treason.
And so on the morn they all arose,and heard their mass and brake their fast;and then they took their horses and rode on their way,and the Green Knight conveyed them through the forest;and there the Green Knight said,My lord Beaumains,I and these thirty knights shall be always at your summons,both early and late,at your calling and whither that ever ye will send us.It is well said,said Beaumains;when that I call upon you ye must yield you unto King Arthur,and all your knights.If that ye so command us,we shall be ready at all times,said the Green Knight.Fie,fie upon thee,in the devil's name,said the damosel,that any good knights should be obedient unto a kitchen knave.So then departed the Green Knight and the damosel.And then she said unto Beaumains,Why followest thou me,thou kitchen boy?Cast away thy shield and thy spear,and flee away;yet Icounsel thee betimes or thou shalt say right soon,alas;for wert thou as wight as ever was Wade or Launcelot,Tristram,or the good knight Sir Lamorak,thou shalt not pass a pass here that is called the Pass Perilous.Damosel,said Beaumains,who is afeard let him flee,for it were shame to turn again sithen I have ridden so long with you.Well,said the damosel,ye shall soon,whether ye will or not.
CHAPTER X
How the third brother,called the Red Knight,jousted and fought against Beaumains,and how Beaumains overcame him.