So the man was helped away and Ralph went back to his place again.

Then another man was gotten to run against Ralph, and it went the same-like way:  for Ralph smote him amidst of the shield, and the spear held, so that he fell floundering off his horse.

Six of the stoutest men of Utterbol did Ralph overthrow or hurt in this wise; and then he ran three courses with Otter, and in the first two each brake his spear fairly on the other; but in the third Otter smote not Ralph squarely, but Ralph smote full amidst of his shield, and so dight him that he well-nigh fell, and could not master his horse, but yet just barely kept his saddle.

Then the Lord cried out:  “Now make we an end of it!  We have no might against this youngling, man to man:  or else would Otter have done it.  This comes of learning a craft diligently.”

So Ralph got off his horse, and did off his helm and awaited tidings; and anon comes to him the surly sergeant, and brought him a cup of wine, and said:  “Youngling, thou art to drink this, and then go to my Lord; and I deem that thou art in favour with him.  So if thou art not too great a man, thou mightest put in a word for poor Redhead, that first man that did so ill.  For my Lord would have him set up, and head down and buttocks aloft, as a target for our bowmen.  And it will be his luck if he be sped with the third shot, and last not out to the twentieth.”

“Yea, certes,” said Ralph, “I will do no less, even if it anger the Lord.”  “O thou wilt not anger him,” said the man, “for I tell thee, thou art in favour.  Yea, and for me also thou mightest say a word also, when thou becomest right great; for have I not brought thee a good bowl of wine?” “Doubt it not, man,” said Ralph, “if I once get safe to Utterbol:  weary on it and all its ways!” Said the sergeant:  “That is an evil wish for one who shall do well at Utterbol.  But come, tarry not.”

So he brought Ralph to the Lord, who still sat in his chair beside that fair woman, and Ralph did obeysance to him; yet he had a sidelong glance also for that fair seeming-queen, and deemed her both proud-looking, and so white-skinned, that she was a wonder, like the queen of the fays:  and it was just this that he had noted of the Queen as he stood before her earlier in the day when they first came into the vale; therefore he had no doubt of this damsel’s queenship.

Now the Lord spake to him and said:  “Well, youngling, thou hast done well, and better than thy behest:  and since ye have been playing at sharps, I deem thou would’st not do ill in battle, if it came to that.  So now I am like to make something other of thee than I was minded to at first:  for I deem that thou art good enough to be a man.  And if thou wilt now ask a boon of me, if it be not over great, I will grant it thee.”

Ralph put one knee to the ground, and said:  “Great Lord, I thank thee:  but whereas I am in an alien land and seeking great things, I know of no gift which I may take for myself save leave to depart, which I deem thou wilt not grant me.  Yet one thing thou mayst do for my asking if thou wilt.  If thou be still angry with the carle whom I first unhorsed, I pray thee pardon him his ill-luck.”