'All this shall be done if Sir Lancelot think it well,' said the king.
But the lady was exceedingly wroth, and her eyes flashed with scorn as she turned to the king:
'Shame on thee!' she cried; 'will you give me a kitchen scullion to aid me?'
With that she hastened from the hall, mounted her horse and rode away. Even as she went forth, a dwarf in the dress of a page entered the hall leading a great horse richly caparisoned, and on the saddle was piled a splendid suit of armour. And the dwarf went up to Beaumains and began to arm him, while men asked each other whence came all this fine gear.
When he was dressed in armour, all the knights marvelled to see how goodly a man he looked. Then Beaumains took leave of King Arthur and of Sir Gawaine, and asked Sir Lancelot to follow him.
Many people went to the door of the hall to see Beaumains mount his horse and ride after the damsel, and the way he sat his steed, with its trappings of gold and purple, excited their admiration. But all wondered to see that Beaumains had neither shield nor spear, and some laughed and said, 'The ignorant churl! Doth he think the mere sight of him on horseback will affright his enemies, that he carries neither shield nor lance.'
Sir Kay sneered with them, and suddenly getting up from his seat he cried:
'By my faith! I will go after my kitchen boy and see whether he will still know me for his better!'
'Ye had better bide at home,' said Sir Lancelot, and Sir Gawaine agreed.
But Sir Kay laughed them aside, and having swiftly put on his armour, he took his spear and shield and rode after Beaumains. He caught up with the youth just as the latter reached the side of the damsel, and Sir Kay cried out, with a scornful laugh: