“Sir King,” she said, “my lady’s name shall ye not know from me at this time, but the tyrant that besiegeth her and destroyeth her lands is called the Red Knight of the Red Lands.”
“I know him not,” said the King.
“Sir,” said Sir Gawain, “I know him well; men say that he hath seven men’s strength and from him I escaped once full hard with my life.”
“Fair damsel,” said the King, “there be knights here would do their power to rescue your lady, but because you will not tell her name, none of my knights shall go with you by my will.”
Then Beaumains came before the King and said, “Sir King, I have been this twelvemonth in your kitchen and now I will ask my two gifts.”
“Ask,” said the King, “and right gladly will I grant them.”
“Sir, these shall be my two gifts, first that ye will grant me to have this adventure.”
“Thou shalt have it,” said the King.
“Then, sir, this is the other gift, that ye shall bid Sir Lancelot to make me knight. And I pray you let him ride after me and make me knight when I ask him.”