Then in great wrath they departed with their horses and came together as it had been thunder. When they had fought for an hour and a half the Black Knight fell down off his horse in swoon and there he died. And Beaumains armed him in his armor and took his horse and rode after the damsel.
When she saw him come nigh, she said, “Away, kitchen boy, for the smell of thy clothes grieveth me. Alas, that a kitchen boy should by mishap slay so good a knight as thou hast done.”
“I warn you, fair damsel,” said Beaumains, “that I will not flee away nor leave your company for all that ye can say; therefore, ride on your way, for follow you I will, whatsoever happen.”
Thus as they rode together they saw a knight come driving by them all in green, both his horse and his armor, and when he came nigh the damsel, he asked her, “Is that my brother, the Black Knight, that ye have brought with you?”
“Nay, nay,” she said, “this kitchen boy hath slain your brother.”
“Ah! traitor,” said the Green Knight, “thou shalt die for slaying of my brother.”
“I defy thee,” said Beaumains, “for I [slew him knightly] and not shamefully.”
And then they ran together with all their might and fought a long while, and at last Beaumains gave the Green Knight such a buffet upon the helmet that he fell upon his knees. And then the Green Knight cried for mercy and prayed Sir Beaumains to slay him not.
“Fair knight,” said the Green Knight, “save my life and I will forgive thee the death of my brother and forever [be thy man], and thirty knights that follow me shall forever do you service.”
“Sir Knight,” said Beaumains, “all this availeth thee not unless this damsel speak with me for thy life.” And therewith he made a motion as if to slay him.