Bab Bab 127 · How the brother of the knight that was slain met with

. How the brother of the knight that was slain met with

Beaumains, and fought with Beaumains till he was yielden.

Thus as they rode together, they saw a knight come driving by them all

in green, both his horse and his harness; and when he came nigh the

damosel, he asked her, Is that my brother the Black Knight that ye have

brought with you? Nay, nay, she said, this unhappy kitchen knave hath

slain your brother through unhappiness. Alas, said the Green Knight,

that is great pity, that so noble a knight as he was should so

unhappily be slain, and namely of a knave’s hand, as ye say that he is.

Ah! traitor, said the Green Knight, thou shalt die for slaying of my

brother; he was a full noble knight, and his name was Sir Perard. I

defy thee, said Beaumains, for I let thee wit I slew him knightly and

not shamefully.

Therewithal the Green Knight rode unto an horn that was green, and it

hung upon a thorn, and there he blew three deadly motes, and there came

two damosels and armed him lightly. And then he took a great horse, and

a green shield and a green spear. And then they ran together with all

their mights, and brake their spears unto their hands. And then they

drew their swords, and gave many sad strokes, and either of them

wounded other full ill. And at the last, at an overthwart, Beaumains

with his horse struck the Green Knight’s horse upon the side, that he

fell to the earth. And then the Green Knight avoided his horse lightly,

and dressed him upon foot. That saw Beaumains, and therewithal he

alighted, and they rushed together like two mighty kemps a long while,

and sore they bled both. With that came the damosel, and said, My lord

the Green Knight, why for shame stand ye so long fighting with the

kitchen knave? Alas, it is shame that ever ye were made knight, to see

such a lad to match such a knight, as the weed overgrew the corn.

Therewith the Green Knight was ashamed, and therewithal he gave a great

stroke of might, and clave his shield through. When Beaumains saw his

shield cloven asunder he was a little ashamed of that stroke and of her

language; and then he gave him such a buffet upon the helm that he fell

on his knees. And so suddenly Beaumains pulled him upon the ground

grovelling. And then the Green Knight cried him mercy, and yielded him

unto Sir Beaumains, and prayed him to slay him not. All is in vain,

said Beaumains, for thou shalt die but if this damosel that came with

me pray me to save thy life. And therewithal he unlaced his helm like

as he would slay him. Fie upon thee, false kitchen page, I will never

pray thee to save his life, for I will never be so much in thy danger.

Then shall he die, said Beaumains. Not so hardy, thou bawdy knave, said

the damosel, that thou slay him. Alas, said the Green Knight, suffer me

not to die for a fair word may save me. Fair knight, said the Green

Knight, save my life, and I will forgive thee the death of my brother,

and for ever to become thy man, and thirty knights that hold of me for

ever shall do you service. In the devil’s name, said the damosel, that

such a bawdy kitchen knave should have thee and thirty knights’

service.

Sir knight, said Beaumains, all this availeth thee not, but if my

damosel speak with me for thy life. And therewithal he made a semblant

to slay him. Let be, said the damosel, thou bawdy knave; slay him not,

for an thou do thou shalt repent it. Damosel, said Beaumains, your

charge is to me a pleasure, and at your commandment his life shall be

saved, and else not. Then he said, Sir knight with the green arms, I

release thee quit at this damosel’s request, for I will not make her

wroth, I will fulfil all that she chargeth me. And then the Green

Knight kneeled down, and did him homage with his sword. Then said the

damosel, Me repenteth, Green Knight, of your damage, and of your

brother’s death, the Black Knight, for of your help I had great mister,

for I dread me sore to pass this forest. Nay, dread you not, said the

Green Knight, for ye shall lodge with me this night, and to-morn I

shall help you through this forest. So they took their horses and rode

to his manor, which was fast there beside.