“Fie for shame, fair damsel,” said Beaumains; “say no more as to that. If he were the best knight that ever was, I would meet him in his most might;” and with that he spurred his horse to the sycamore, and blew the horn so eagerly that all the place rang with the noise. Then came knights from the tents and pavilions to look, and they that were in the castle looked from the walls. As for the red knight, he armed himself hastily, and took a red spear in his hand, and rode out to a place where all that were in the castle and at the siege might see the battle.
“Sir,” said Lynette to Beaumains, “now be merry, for yonder comes your deadly enemy, and there is my sister;” and she showed him where Dame Lyons was looking from a window in the castle.
“By my head,” said Beaumains, “she is the fairest lady that ever I looked upon, and I ask nothing better than to do battle in her quarrel, for she shall be my lady, and for her will I fight;” and as he looked at her, Dame Lyons made him a courtesy. With that came the Red Knight of the Red Lands, that called to Beaumains,—
“Leave thy looking, Sir Knight, and behold me; for I warn thee that is my lady, and for her have I done many strong battles.”
“If thou hast,” answered Beaumains, “it seems to me it was but waste labour, for she loveth thee not. If I were advised that she were not glad of my coming, I would not do battle for her; but wit thou well, Knight, that now I love her, and will rescue her, or else die in the quarrel.”
“Say you so,” said the red knight. “Methinks you ought to beware, on account of those knights that you see hanging on yonder great elms.”
“For shame,” answered Beaumains, “that you should ever say or do such evil, in the which you shame yourself and the order of knighthood. Think you that the sight of those hanged knights causes me to fear? Truly it is not so: that shameful sight causes me to have more courage and hardihood against you.”
“If thou be a well-ruled knight,” said the other, “make thou ready, and talk no longer.”
So they dashed together with all the might they had, and smote each other in the middle of the shield, so that their spears broke, and both fell to the ground, where they lay for some time stunned; and all that were watching said the strange knight must be a noble jouster, for never before had the Red Knight of the Red Lands been so matched. Then they drew their swords, and rushed at each other like fierce lions, dealing great buffets, till they hewed large pieces from their shields and their armour. And so they fought, hour after hour, till it was past noon, and neither would stint, and then they rested awhile. When they went to battle again, they fought more fiercely than ever, and dashed against each other so hard that often both fell to the ground. Thus they endured till eventide, and none could tell which was the likelier to win the battle. Their armour was so hewn that in many places were they naked, but ever they defended those places. The red knight was a wily fighter, and his cunning taught Beaumains to be wise, but he bought his wisdom full dearly. Then they agreed to rest again, and took off their helms to catch the cool air. When Beaumains’ helm was off, he looked up at the window and saw Dame Lyons, and she gave him such a look that his heart was light and joyful. So suddenly he started up, and bade the red knight make ready. “I am full willing,” said the red knight. So they got their helms on again, and the stern combat began once more. But the red knight smote Beaumains on the arm, so that his sword fell out of his hand, and gave him thereafter such a buffet on the helm that he fell on the earth, and the red knight fell over him to hold him down. Then cried the damsel Lynette, “O Beaumains! where is thy courage? Alas! my sister beholds thee, and sobs and weeps so that it makes my heart heavy.”
When Beaumains heard that, he rose with great might, and leaped lightly to his sword, caught it in his hand, and rushed upon the red knight, dealing his blows so thick and fast as to smite the sword out of his hand. Then he hurled him to the ground, and unlaced his helm to slay him.