'and he is one of the
most dangerous Knights in the world. Men say he has the strength of
seven, and once when we had crossed swords I hardly escaped from him
with my life.' 'Fair damsel,' then said the King, 'there are many
Knights here who would go gladly to the rescue of your lady, but none
of them shall do so with my consent unless you will tell us her name,
and the place of her castle.' 'Then I must speak further,' said the
damsel. But before she had made answer to the King up came Beaumains,
and spoke to Arthur, saying, 'Sir King, I thank you that for this
whole year I have lived in your kitchen, and had meat and drink, and
now I will ask you for the two gifts that you promised me on this
day.' 'Ask them,' answered the King. 'Sir, this shall be my two gifts.
First grant me the adventure of this damsel, for it is mine by right.'
'You shall have it,' said the King. 'Then, Sir, you shall bid Sir
Lancelot du Lake to make me Knight, for I will receive Knighthood at
the hands of no other.' 'All this shall be done,' said the King. 'Fie
on you,' cried the damsel, 'will you give me none but a kitchen boy to
rescue my lady?' and she went away in a rage, and mounted her horse.

No sooner had she left the hall than a page came to Beaumains and told
him that a horse and fair armour had been brought for him, also there
had arrived a dwarf carrying all things that a Knight needed. And when
he was armed there were few men that were handsomer than he, and the
Court wondered greatly whence these splendid trappings had come. Then
Beaumains came into the hall, and took farewell of the King, and Sir
Gawaine and Sir Lancelot, and prayed Sir Lancelot that he would follow
after him. So he departed, and rode after the damsel. Many looked upon
him and marvelled at the strength of his horse, and its golden
trappings, and envied Beaumains his shining coat of mail; but they
noted that he had neither shield nor spear. 'I will ride after him,'
laughed Sir Kay, 'and see if my kitchen boy will own me for his
better.' 'Leave him and stay at home,' said Sir Gawaine and Sir
Lancelot, but Sir Kay would not listen and sprang upon his horse. Just
as Beaumains came up with the damsel, Sir Kay reached Beaumains, and
said, 'Beaumains, do you not know me?'

Beaumains turned and looked at him, and answered, 'Yes, I know you for
an ill-mannered Knight, therefore beware of me.' At this Sir Kay put
his spear in rest and charged him, and Beaumains drew his sw