And as she spake, Sir Perseant, who had espied them coming, sent a messenger to meet Sir Beaumains, and to ask him if he came in war or peace.  “Say to thy lord,” he answered, “that I care not whether of the twain it be.”  So when the messenger gave this reply, Sir Perseant came out to fight with Sir Beaumains.  And making ready, they rode their steeds against each other; and when their spears were shivered asunder, they fought with their swords.  And for more than two hours did they hack and hew at each other, till their shields and hauberks were all dinted with many blows, and they themselves were sorely wounded.  And at the last, Sir Beaumains smote Sir Perseant on the helm, so that he fell grovelling on the earth.  And when he unlaced his helm to slay him, the damsel prayed for his life.  “That will I grant gladly,” answered Sir Beaumains, “for it were pity such a noble knight should die.”  “Grammercy!” said Sir Perseant, “for now I certainly know that it was thou who slewest my brother, the Black Knight, Sir Pereard; and overcame my brothers, the Green Knight, Sir Pertolope, and the Red Knight, Sir Perimones; and since thou hast overcome me also, I will do thee homage and fealty, and place at thy command one hundred knights to do thy bidding.”

But when the damsel saw Sir Perseant overthrown, she marvelled greatly at the might of Sir Beaumains, and said, “What manner of man may ye be, for now am I sure that ye be come of noble blood?  And truly, never did woman revile knight as I have done thee, and yet ye have ever courteously borne with me, which surely never had been were ye not of gentle blood and lineage.”

“Lady,” replied Sir Beaumains, “a knight is little worth who may not bear with a damsel; and so whatsoever ye said to me I took no heed, save only that at times when your scorn angered me, it made me all the stronger against those with whom I fought, and thus have ye furthered me in my battles.  But whether I be born of gentle blood or no, I have done you gentle service, and peradventure will do better still, ere I depart from you.”

[Illustration:  “Lady,” replied Sir Beaumains, “a knight is little worth who may not bear with a damsel.”]

“Alas!” said she, weeping at his courtesy, “forgive me, fair Sir Beaumains, all that I have missaid and misdone against you.”  “With all my heart,” said he; “and since you now speak fairly to me, I am passing glad of heart, and methinks I have the strength to overcome whatever knights I shall henceforth encounter.”

Then Sir Perseant prayed them to come to his pavilion, and set before them wines and spices, and made them great cheer.  So they rested that night; and on the morrow, the damsel and Sir Beaumains rose, and heard mass.  And when they had broken their fast, they took their leave of Sir Perseant.  “Fair damsel,” said he “whither lead ye this knight?” “Sir,” answered she, “to the Castle Dangerous, where my sister is besieged by the Knight of the Redlands.”  “I know