ght
hath overcome them, and slain them thus shamefully by hanging.'

'Now Heaven aid me,' said Beaumains, 'for this is a most shameful and
unknightly custom, and well doth that evil knight deserve death.'

'Nevertheless he is a knight of great prowess and force, though of evil
custom,' replied the lady, 'and no one hath ever borne him down in
battle.'

With that they came to a sycamore-tree which stood alone in the plain,
and on it was hung a great horn of elephant bone, with gold work
curiously wrought.

'Fair sir, ye must blow that horn if ye wish to do battle with the Red
Knight. But, sir,' went on the lady quickly, and caught at Beaumains'
arm that already had lifted the horn, 'be ye not overbold. It is now
the hour of prime, and it is said that the Red Knight's force
increaseth to the strength of seven men until it is noon. Wait,
therefore, until noon shall be past, and his strength shall diminish.'

'Nay, nay,' said Beaumains, 'speak not thus to me. I will assail him
however mighty he be, and either I will beat him or die with honour in
the field.'

Therewith he lifted the horn and blew so great a blast that instantly
knights came in a great press from the tents, and people looked out
from the walls and windows of the castle.

Then Beaumains saw a tall man come running from a tent, arming himself
as he came. Two barons set his spurs upon his heels and an earl buckled
his helm upon his head. He was all in red armour, from the plume which
waved upon his crest to the cloth which was upon his horse. And his
shield was all of red, with but a black heart in the centre thereof.

Then he waited for Beaumains in a little hollow before the castle, so
that all that were therein might see the combat.

'Now, fair sir,' said Linet, 'it behoves you to have great courage and
heart, for yonder is your deadliest enemy, and at yonder window is my
lady sister, Dame Lyones.'

Beaumains looked to where Linet was pointing, and saw at a window the
loveliest lady he had ever seen. And as he looked she smiled and bowed
to him, and he felt his heart burn with love for her.

'Truly,' he said, 'she is the fairest lady I have ever looked upon, and
she shall be my lady.'

'Cease thy looking at that lady,' called the Red Knight in a harsh and
angry voice. 'She is my lady, and soon shall she see thy foolish body
swinging from the tree for the ravens to pluck, as others hang there
afore thee.'

''Tis for that shameful sight and fo