“Let be, thou Beaumains,” said the damsel; “slay him not, for he is a noble knight.”
Then Beaumains bade the knight stand up and thank the damsel for his life. And the red knight entertained them that night at his castle, where they had merry cheer, except that the damsel still spoke many foul words to Sir Beaumains. On the morrow, before they departed, the red knight came with his fifty knights to proffer their homage to Sir Beaumains, who thanked him courteously. And then he and the damsel rode away together; and when she chid him again he said, “Damsel, you are uncourteous to rebuke me as you do. I have done you great service; and though ever you threaten me that I shall be beaten by the knights we meet, yet hitherto they have all had to lie in the mire. When you see me beaten, or yielding recreant, then may you bid me go from you shamefully; but till then, I tell you plainly, I will not depart from you, for I should be worse than a fool were I to leave you while I win worship.”
Then was she somewhat abashed, but she said, “Well, right soon shalt thou meet with a knight that will pay thee all thy wages, for he is the man of most worship in the world, except Lancelot.”
“The more worship he has,” answered Beaumains, “the more worship will it be to me to have to do with him.”
In a little while they came in sight of a fair city, and between them and the city was a great meadow that was newly mown, whereon were many pavilions. The damsel told Beaumains that the lord of that city was a goodly knight called Sir Persaunt of Ind, whose custom it was in fair weather to dwell in that meadow to joust and tourney, and that he had ever about him five hundred knights and gentlemen. The damsel would have had Beaumains avoid Sir Persaunt, lest he should get some hurt; for they were now near the castle where the Bed Knight of the Bed Lands laid siege to her lady, and Sir Persaunt, she said, though a strong knight, was as nothing to him. But Beaumains answered her fairly and softly that he should think it shame not to prove Sir Persaunt, now they had come so near him. Then said the damsel, “I marvel what manner of man you be. You must surely come of noble blood, for more foully or shamefully did lady never rule or rebuke a knight than I have done to you, and yet you have borne all patiently.”
“Damsel,” said Beaumains, “a knight is worth little that cannot endure a woman’s tongue; but, in truth, the more you said the more you angered me, and I wreaked my wrath on those with whom I had to do, so that all your hard words only furthered me in my battles. As to my blood, though it is true I had meat in King Arthur’s kitchen, yet if I had willed I might have had meat elsewhere, and all I did there was but to prove my friends.”
“Alas! fair Beaumains,” said she, “forgive me all that I have missaid and misdone against you.”
“With all my heart,” answered Beaumains.
While thus they spoke together Sir Persaunt of Ind had seen them, and he sent to know whether Beaumains came in war or in peace. “Say unto thy lord,” said Beaumains, “that I care not; it is as he himself may choose.”
“Then,” said Sir Persaunt, when this answer came to him, “will I have ado with him to the uttermost.” So he armed himself, and rode toward Beaumains. Then they met together so hard that both their spears were broken, and their horses fell dead to the earth. So they drew their swords, and fought for more than two hours, and both were sore wounded and their armour cut in many places; but at the last Sir Beaumains smote Sir Persaunt on the helm so that he fell grovelling to the ground, and leaped upon him, and unlaced his helm to have slain him. Then Sir Persaunt yielded, and cried for mercy, and the damsel came and asked for his life, which Beaumains readily granted. Then said Sir Persaunt, “Certes, Sir Knight, you must be he that slew my brother Sir Periard the black knight, and conquered my other brothers, Sir Pertolope the green knight and Sir Perimones the red knight. And now, sir, you shall have homage and fealty of me, and a hundred knights to be always at your command.”