And now at this time came young Beaumains to the king, while the damsel was there, and said, “Lord, now I thank thee well and heartily that I have been twelve months kept in thy kitchen, and have had full sustenance.  Now will I ask my two remaining gifts.”  “Ask,” said King Arthur, “on my good faith.”  “These, lord,” said he, “shall be my two gifts—­the one, that thou wilt grant me this adventure of the damsel, for to me of right it belongeth; and the other, that thou wilt bid Sir Lancelot make me a knight, for of him only will I have that honour; and I pray that he may ride after me and make me a knight when I require him.”  “Be it as thou wilt,” replied the king.  But thereupon the damsel was full wroth, and said, “Shall I have a kitchen page for this adventure?” and so she took horse and departed.

Then came one to Beaumains, and told him that a dwarf with a horse and armour were waiting for him.  And all men marvelled whence these things came.  But when he was on horseback and armed, scarce any one at the court was a goodlier man than he.  And coming into the hall, he took his leave of the king and Sir Gawain, and prayed Sir Lancelot to follow him.  So he rode after the damsel, and many of the court went out to see him, so richly arrayed and horsed; yet he had neither shield nor spear.  Then Sir Key cried, “I also will ride after the kitchen boy, and see whether he will obey me now.”  And taking his horse, he rode after him, and said, “Know ye not me, Beaumains?” “Yea,” said he, “I know thee for an ungentle knight, therefore beware of me.”  Then Sir Key put his spear in rest and ran at him, but Beaumains rushed upon him with his sword in his hand, and therewith, putting aside the spear, struck Sir Key so sorely in the side, that he fell down, as if dead.  Then he alighted, and took his shield and spear, and bade his dwarf ride upon Sir Key’s horse.

By this time, Sir Lancelot had come up, and Beaumains offering to tilt with him, they both made ready.  And their horses came together so fiercely that both fell to the earth, full sorely bruised.  Then they arose, and Beaumains, putting up his shield before him, offered to fight Sir Lancelot, on foot.  So they rushed upon each other, striking, and thrusting, and parrying, for the space of an hour.  And Lancelot marvelled at the strength of Beaumains, for he fought more like a giant than a man, and his fighting was passing fierce and terrible.  So, at the last, he said, “Fight not so sorely, Beaumains; our quarrel is not such that we may not now cease.”  “True,” answered Beaumains; “yet it doth me good to feel thy might, though I have not yet proved my uttermost.”  “By my faith,” said Lancelot, “I had as much as I could do to save myself from you unshamed, therefore be in no doubt of any earthly knight.”  “May I, then, stand as a proved knight?” said Beaumains.  “For that will I be thy warrant,” answered Lancelot.  “Then, I pray thee,” said he, “give me the order of knighthood.”