man ye be,' said the lady. 'It must be that ye
come of noble blood, for no woman could have spoken or treated you more
evilly than I have done. Yet ever you have courteously suffered all I
said.'

'Lady, it is but a man's duty to suffer a woman's wayward words,' said
Beaumains, 'and they have not been without service to me. For the more
ye angered me the more strength of wrath I put into my blows, and so
was enabled to overcome your enemies. And as to what I am and whence I
came, I could have had meat in other places than in King Arthur's
kitchen, but all that I have done was to try my friends. And whether I
be knave or gentleman, I have done you gentleman's service.'

'That is truth, Sir Beaumains,' said the lady, all soft and penitent
now, 'and I beg of you forgiveness for all my evil words.'

'I forgive ye with all my heart,' said Sir Beaumains, 'and I tell you,
lady, that now that you speak kindly to me, it gladdens me greatly, and
I feel that there is no knight living whom I could not strike down for
the sake of yourself and your lady sister.'

By this time Sir Persaunt had seen them, and had sent a squire to ask
Beaumains whether he came in peace or war.

'If he will not let us pass,' replied Beaumains, 'it shall be war.'

At that they saw Sir Persaunt array himself in his armour and mount his
horse, and now he came rushing across the field at utmost speed, his
lance in rest. Beaumains also made his horse leap forward swiftly, and
the two knights met with so great a force that both their lances
splintered in many pieces, and their horses fell dead upon the field.

But the two knights instantly disentangled themselves, and fought on
foot with shield and sword. So furiously did they hurl themselves at
each other that often they fell to the ground. For two hours the duel
raged, till their hauberks were tattered and their shields were hacked,
while both were sorely bruised and wounded.

At length Beaumains thrust Sir Persaunt in the side, and the latter's
attack became less eager. Finally Beaumains hit the other so great a
stroke that he fell headlong, and instantly Beaumains leaped astride of
him and unlashed his helm, as if about to slay him.

Then Sir Persaunt yielded him and pleaded for his life, and the lady,
who had stood watching the combat, ran forward, placed her hand on Sir
Beaumains' sword arm, and cried:

'Of your mercy, Sir Beaumains, yield him his life for my sake.'

'I do it willingly,' cri