nightly as the boys of
the kitchen did. And so he endured all that twelvemonth, and never
displeased man nor child, but always he was meek and mild. But ever when
that he saw any jousting of knights, that would he see an he might. And
ever Sir Launcelot would give him gold to spend, and clothes, and so did
Sir Gawaine, and where there were any masteries done, thereat would he
be, and there might none cast bar nor stone to him by two yards. Then
would Sir Kay say, How liketh you my boy of the kitchen? So it passed
on till the feast of Whitsuntide. And at that time the king held it at
Carlion in the most royallest wise that might be, like as he did yearly.
But the king would no meat eat upon the Whitsunday, until he heard some
adventures. Then came there a squire to the king and said, Sir, ye may
go to your meat, for here cometh a damosel with some strange adventures.
Then was the king glad and sat him down.

Right so there came a damosel into the hall and saluted the king, and
prayed him of succour. For whom? said the king, what is the adventure?

Sir, she said, I have a lady of great worship and renown, and she is
besieged with a tyrant, so that she may not out of her castle; and
because here are called the noblest knights of the world, I come to you
to pray you of succour. What hight your lady, and where dwelleth she,
and who is she, and what is his name that hath besieged her? Sir king,
she said, as for my lady's name that shall not ye know for me as at
this time, but I let you wit she is a lady of great worship and of
great lands; and as for the tyrant that besiegeth her and destroyeth her
lands, he is called the Red Knight of the Red Launds. I know him not,
said the king. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, I know him well, for he is one of
the perilloust knights of the world; men say that he hath seven men's
strength, and from him I escaped once full hard with my life. Fair
damosel, said the king, there be knights here would do their power for
to rescue your lady, but because you will not tell her name, nor where
she dwelleth, therefore none of my knights that here be now shall go
with you by my will. Then must I speak further, said the damosel.

CHAPTER III. How Beaumains desired the battle, and how it was granted to
him, and how he desired to be made knight of Sir Launcelot.

WITH these words came before the king Beaumains, while the damosel
was there, and thus he said, Sir king, God thank you, I have been this
twelve