ord and
charged Sir Kay, and dashed aside the spear, and thrust him through
the side, till Sir Kay fell down as if he had been dead, and Beaumains
took his shield and spear for himself. Then he sprang on his own
horse, bidding first his dwarf take Sir Kay's horse, and rode away.
All this was seen by Sir Lancelot, who had followed him, and also by
the damsel. In a little while Beaumains stopped, and asked Sir
Lancelot if he would tilt with him, and they came together with such a
shock that both the horses and their riders fell to the earth and were
bruised sorely. Sir Lancelot was the first to rise, and he helped
Beaumains from his horse, and Beaumains threw his shield from him, and
offered to fight on foot. And they rushed together like wild boars,
turning and thrusting and parrying for the space of an hour, and Sir
Lancelot marvelled at the young man's strength, and thought he was
more like a giant than a Knight, and dreading lest he himself should
be put to shame, he said: 'Beaumains, do not fight so hard, we have no
quarrel that forbids us to leave off.' 'That is true,' answered
Beaumains, laying down his arms, 'but it does me good, my lord, to
feel your might.' 'Well,' said Sir Lancelot, 'I promise you I had much
ado to save myself from you unshamed, therefore have no fear of any
other Knight.' 'Do you think I could really stand against a proved
Knight?' asked Beaumains. 'Yes,' said Lancelot, 'if you fight as you
have fought to-day I will be your warrant against anyone.' 'Then I
pray you,' cried Beaumains, 'give me the order of knighthood.' 'You
must first tell me your name,' replied Lancelot, 'and who are your
kindred.' 'You will not betray me if I do?' asked Beaumains. 'No, that
I will never do, till it is openly known,' said Lancelot. 'Then, Sir,
my name is Gareth, and Sir Gawaine is my brother.' 'Ah, Sir,' cried
Lancelot, 'I am gladder of you than ever I was, for I was sure you
came of good blood, and that you did not come to the Court for meat
and drink only.' And he bade him kneel, and gave him the order of
knighthood.

[Illustration: Faugh sir! You smell of ye Kitchen Gareth & Linet]

After that Sir Gareth wished to go his own ways, and departed. When he
was gone, Sir Lancelot went back to Sir Kay and ordered some men that
were by to bear him home on a shield, and in time his wounds were
healed; but he was scorned of all men, and especially of Sir Gawaine
and Sir Lancelot, who told him it was no good deed t