Chương Chương 140 · How Sir Gareth, otherwise called Beaumains, came to the

. How Sir Gareth, otherwise called Beaumains, came to the

presence of his lady, and how they took acquaintance, and of their

love.

And then came forth Dame Lionesse arrayed like a princess, and there

she made him passing good cheer, and he her again; and they had goodly

language and lovely countenance together. And Sir Gareth thought many

times, Jesu, would that the lady of the Castle Perilous were so fair as

she was. There were all manner of games and plays, of dancing and

singing. And ever the more Sir Gareth beheld that lady, the more he

loved her; and so he burned in love that he was past himself in his

reason; and forth toward night they yede unto supper, and Sir Gareth

might not eat, for his love was so hot that he wist not where he was.

All these looks espied Sir Gringamore, and then at-after supper he

called his sister Dame Lionesse into a chamber, and said: Fair sister,

I have well espied your countenance betwixt you and this knight, and I

will, sister, that ye wit he is a full noble knight, and if ye can make

him to abide here I will do him all the pleasure that I can, for an ye

were better than ye are, ye were well bywaryd upon him. Fair brother,

said Dame Lionesse, I understand well that the knight is good, and come

he is of a noble house. Notwithstanding, I will assay him better,

howbeit I am most beholden to him of any earthly man; for he hath had

great labour for my love, and passed many a dangerous passage.

Right so Sir Gringamore went unto Sir Gareth, and said, Sir, make ye

good cheer, for ye shall have none other cause, for this lady, my

sister, is yours at all times, her worship saved, for wit ye well she

loveth you as well as ye do her, and better if better may be. An I wist

that, said Sir Gareth, there lived not a gladder man than I would be.

Upon my worship, said Sir Gringamore, trust unto my promise; and as

long as it liketh you ye shall sojourn with me, and this lady shall be

with us daily and nightly to make you all the cheer that she can. I

will well, said Sir Gareth, for I have promised to be nigh this country

this twelvemonth. And well I am sure King Arthur and other noble

knights will find me where that I am within this twelvemonth. For I

shall be sought and found, if that I be alive. And then the noble

knight Sir Gareth went unto the Dame Lionesse, which he then much

loved, and kissed her many times, and either made great joy of other.

And there she promised him her love certainly, to love him and none

other the days of her life. Then this lady, Dame Lionesse, by the

assent of her brother, told Sir Gareth all the truth what she was, and

how she was the same lady that he did battle for, and how she was lady

of the Castle Perilous, and there she told him how she caused her

brother to take away his dwarf.