Bab Bab 128 · How the damosel again rebuked Beaumains, and would not

. How the damosel again rebuked Beaumains, and would not

suffer him to sit at her table, but called him kitchen boy.

And ever she rebuked Beaumains, and would not suffer him to sit at her

table, but as the Green Knight took him and sat him at a side table.

Marvel methinketh, said the Green Knight to the damosel, why ye rebuke

this noble knight as ye do, for I warn you, damosel, he is a full noble

knight, and I know no knight is able to match him; therefore ye do

great wrong to rebuke him, for he shall do you right good service, for

whatsomever he maketh himself, ye shall prove at the end that he is

come of a noble blood and of king’s lineage. Fie, fie, said the

damosel, it is shame for you to say of him such worship. Truly, said

the Green Knight, it were shame for me to say of him any disworship,

for he hath proved himself a better knight than I am, yet have I met

with many knights in my days, and never or this time have I found no

knight his match. And so that night they yede unto rest, and all that

night the Green Knight commanded thirty knights privily to watch

Beaumains, for to keep him from all treason.

And so on the morn they all arose, and heard their mass and brake their

fast; and then they took their horses and rode on their way, and the

Green Knight conveyed them through the forest; and there the Green

Knight said, My lord Beaumains, I and these thirty knights shall be

always at your summons, both early and late, at your calling and

whither that ever ye will send us. It is well said, said Beaumains;

when that I call upon you ye must yield you unto King Arthur, and all

your knights. If that ye so command us, we shall be ready at all times,

said the Green Knight. Fie, fie upon thee, in the devil’s name, said

the damosel, that any good knights should be obedient unto a kitchen

knave. So then departed the Green Knight and the damosel. And then she

said unto Beaumains, Why followest thou me, thou kitchen boy? Cast away

thy shield and thy spear, and flee away; yet I counsel thee betimes or

thou shalt say right soon, alas; for wert thou as wight as ever was

Wade or Launcelot, Tristram, or the good knight Sir Lamorak, thou shalt

not pass a pass here that is called the Pass Perilous. Damosel, said

Beaumains, who is afeard let him flee, for it were shame to turn again

sithen I have ridden so long with you. Well, said the damosel, ye shall

soon, whether ye will or not.