d; 'will you give me a kitchen scullion to aid
me?'

With that she hastened from the hall, mounted her horse and rode away.
Even as she went forth, a dwarf in the dress of a page entered the hall
leading a great horse richly caparisoned, and on the saddle was piled a
splendid suit of armour. And the dwarf went up to Beaumains and began
to arm him, while men asked each other whence came all this fine gear.

When he was dressed in armour, all the knights marvelled to see how
goodly a man he looked. Then Beaumains took leave of King Arthur and of
Sir Gawaine, and asked Sir Lancelot to follow him.

Many people went to the door of the hall to see Beaumains mount his
horse and ride after the damsel, and the way he sat his steed, with its
trappings of gold and purple, excited their admiration. But all
wondered to see that Beaumains had neither shield nor spear, and some
laughed and said, 'The ignorant churl! Doth he think the mere sight of
him on horseback will affright his enemies, that he carries neither
shield nor lance.'

Sir Kay sneered with them, and suddenly getting up from his seat he
cried:

'By my faith! I will go after my kitchen boy and see whether he will
still know me for his better!'

'Ye had better bide at home,' said Sir Lancelot, and Sir Gawaine
agreed.

But Sir Kay laughed them aside, and having swiftly put on his armour,
he took his spear and shield and rode after Beaumains. He caught up
with the youth just as the latter reached the side of the damsel, and
Sir Kay cried out, with a scornful laugh:

'What! Beaumains, do ye not know me?'

'Ay,' replied Beaumains, 'I know ye for the most ungentle knight in all
King Arthur's court, and therefore keep you off from me.'

'Ah, churl!' cried Sir Kay, 'thou needst a lesson from me. A beggar,
though he be on horseback, is still a beggar.'

With that he put his lance in rest and dashed towards Beaumains,
expecting an easy victory. But the young man, putting the lance aside
with his sword just as it was about to strike him, rushed upon Sir Kay,
and with a deft thrust struck him through a joint of his armour, so
that Sir Kay fell backwards off his horse to the ground. Swiftly
leaping down, Beaumains took possession of his opponent's spear and
shield, and commanded his dwarf to mount upon Sir Kay's horse.

Then, after remounting, Beaumains rejoined the damsel, who had seen all
that had taken place, but said nothing.

At that moment they saw Sir Lancelot