And there was near by a sycamore tree and there hung a horn and this Red Knight had hanged it up there, that if there came any [errant knight] he must blow that horn and then he would make him ready and come to him to do battle.
“Sir, I pray you,” said the damsel, “blow ye not the horn till it be high noon, for his strength increaseth until noon, and at this time men say he hath seven men’s strength.”
“Ah, for shame, fair damsel, say ye so never more to me, for I will win honorably, or die knightly in the field.”
Therewith he blew the horn so eagerly that the castle rang with the sound.
Then the Red Knight armed him hastily and all was blood red, his armor, spear, and shield.
“Sir,” said the damsel, “yonder is your deadly enemy and at yonder window is my sister.”
With that the Red Knight of the Red Lands called to Sir Beaumains, “Sir knight, I warn thee that for this lady I have done many strong battles.”
“If thou have so done,” said Beaumains, “it was but waste labor, and know, thou Red Knight of the Red Lands, I will rescue her or die.”
Then Sir Beaumains bade the damsel go from him, and then they put their spears in their rests and came together with all their might.
Then they fought till it was past noon and when they had rested a while they returned to the battle till evening, but at last Sir Beaumains smote the sword out of the Red Knight’s hand and smote him on the helmet, so that he fell to the earth.