"I yield me!" cried the knight. "Slay me not, I beg of you."
"You shall die," answered Beaumains, "unless this damsel pray me to spare your life," and he unlaced his helm, as with intent to slay him.
"Pray you to save his life!" cried the damsel, in scorn. "I shall never so demean myself to a page of the kitchen."
"Slay him, if you will. Ask me not to beg for his life."
"Alas!" said the green knight, "you would not let me die when you can save my life with a word? Fair sir, spare me, and I will forgive you my brother's death, and become your man, with thirty knights who are at my command."
"In the fiend's name!" cried the damsel, "shall such a knave have service of thee and thirty knights?"
"All this avails nothing," said Beaumains. "You shall have your life only at this damsel's request," and he made a show as if he would slay him.
"Let him be, knave," said the damsel. "Slay him not, or you shall repent it."
"Damsel," said Beaumains, "your request is to me a command and a pleasure. His life shall be spared, since you ask it. Sir knight of the green array, I release you at the damsel's request, for I am bound by her wish, and will do all that she commands."
Then the green knight kneeled down and did homage with his sword.
"I am sorry, sir knight, for your mishap, and for your brother's death," said the damsel. "I had great need of your help, for I dread the passage of this forest."
"You need not," he replied. "To-night you shall lodge at my castle, and to-morrow I will aid you to pass the forest."
So they rode to his manor, which was not far distant. Here it happened as it had on the evening before, for the damsel reviled Beaumains, and would not listen to his sitting at the same table with her.
"Why deal you such despite to this noble warrior?" said the green knight. "You are wrong, for he will do you good service, and whatever he declares himself to be, I warrant in the end you will find him to come of right noble blood."
"You say far more of him than he deserves," she replied. "I know him too well."
"And so do I, for he is the best champion I ever found; and I have fought in my day with many worthy knights."
That night, when they went to rest, the green knight set a guard over Beaumains's chamber, for he feared some harm to him from the bitter scorn and hatred of the damsel. In the morning he rode with them through the forest, and at parting said,--