“All this shall be done,” said Arthur.
“Fie on you, Sir King!” said the damsel wrathfully; “shall I have none but your kitchen-boy to undertake my adventure-?” So she took her horse and departed. And just then there came a dwarf, who brought to Beaumains a noble horse and armour, and all else that was fitting. When he was armed, there were few in that court who were so goodly as he to look upon. He took his leave of the king and Sir Gawaine, and prayed Sir Lancelot to ride after him; and then he took his horse and rode after the damsel.
Then said Sir Kay, “I will ride after my boy of the kitchen, to find out whether he will know me for his better.”
“You would do better to abide at home,” said Gawaine.
But Sir Kay took his horse and spear, and rode after Beaumains, and presently overtook him as he rode with the damsel. He called out, “What, Sir Beaumains, know you not me?”
Then Beaumains turned his horse, and saw that it was Sir Kay.
“Yes,” he said; “I know you for an ungentle knight of the court, and therefore beware of me.”
Thereupon Sir Kay put his spear in rest, and ran upon him. But Beaumains turned aside the spear with his sword, and smote Sir Kay so hard on the side that he fell as though he had been dead. Then Beaumains alighted, and took Sir Kay’s spear and shield; and then he got on his horse again, and continued his way, bidding his dwarf ride Sir Kay’s horse. Then came Sir Lancelot, and Beaumains proffered him to joust. They ran together so mightily that both were borne to the earth and much bruised. When they rose, Beaumains put his shield before him, and asked Sir Lancelot to fight with him on foot; and this they did for well-nigh an hour. Sir Lancelot found Beaumains so strong that he marvelled, for he fought more like a giant than a man. Then Lancelot began to dread lest he should be shamed; so he said,—
“Beaumains, fight not so sore; your quarrel and mine is not so great but we may leave off.”
“That is true,” said Beaumains; “but it doth me good to feel your might. And yet, my lord, I have not shown the uttermost.” Then he asked Sir Lancelot to give him the order of knighthood.