nt, this Red Knight
of the Red Laund hath lain long at the siege, well-nigh this two years,
and many times he might have had her an he had would, but he prolongeth
the time to this intent, for to have Sir Launcelot du Lake to do battle
with him, or Sir Tristram, or Sir Lamorak de Galis, or Sir Gawaine, and
this is his tarrying so long at the siege.

Now my lord Sir Persant of Inde, said the damosel Linet, I require you
that ye will make this gentleman knight or ever he fight with the Red
Knight. I will with all my heart, said Sir Persant, an it please him
to take the order of knighthood of so simple a man as I am. Sir, said
Beaumains, I thank you for your good will, for I am better sped, for
certainly the noble knight Sir Launcelot made me knight. Ah, said Sir
Persant, of a more renowned knight might ye not be made knight; for of
all knights he may be called chief of knighthood; and so all the world
saith, that betwixt three knights is departed clearly knighthood, that
is Launcelot du Lake, Sir Tristram de Liones, and Sir Lamorak de Galis:
these bear now the renown. There be many other knights, as Sir Palamides
the Saracen and Sir Safere his brother; also Sir Bleoberis and Sir
Blamore de Ganis his brother; also Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Ector de
Maris and Sir Percivale de Galis; these and many more be noble knights,
but there be none that pass the three above said; therefore God speed
you well, said Sir Persant, for an ye may match the Red Knight ye shall
be called the fourth of the world.

Sir, said Beaumains, I would fain be of good fame and of knighthood. And
I let you wit I came of good men, for I dare say my father was a noble
man, and so that ye will keep it in close, and this damosel, I will tell
you of what kin I am. We will not discover you, said they both, till ye
command us, by the faith we owe unto God. Truly then, said he, my name
is Gareth of Orkney, and King Lot was my father, and my mother is
King Arthur's sister, her name is Dame Morgawse, and Sir Gawaine is my
brother, and Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris, and I am the youngest of
them all. And yet wot not King Arthur nor Sir Gawaine what I am.

CHAPTER XIV. How the lady that was besieged had word from her sister
how she had brought a knight to fight for her, and what battles he had
achieved.

SO the book saith that the lady that was besieged had word of her
sister's coming by the dwarf, and a knight with her, and how he had
passed all the perilou