not tell you, said he.
That is marvel, said the king, that thou knowest not thy name, and thou
art the goodliest young man that ever I saw. Then the king betook him
to Sir Kay the steward, and charged him that he should give him of all
manner of meats and drinks of the best, and also that he had all manner
of finding as though he were a lord's son. That shall little need, said
Sir Kay, to do such cost upon him; for I dare undertake he is a villain
born, and never will make man, for an he had come of gentlemen he would
have asked of you horse and armour, but such as he is, so he asketh. And
sithen he hath no name, I shall give him a name that shall be Beaumains,
that is Fair-hands, and into the kitchen I shall bring him, and there
he shall have fat brose every day, that he shall be as fat by the
twelvemonths' end as a pork hog. Right so the two men departed and
beleft him to Sir Kay, that scorned him and mocked him.

CHAPTER II. How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth because Sir Kay
mocked Beaumains, and of a damosel which desired a knight to fight for a
lady.

THEREAT was Sir Gawaine wroth, and in especial Sir Launcelot bade Sir
Kay leave his mocking, for I dare lay my head he shall prove a man of
great worship. Let be said Sir Kay, it may not be by no reason, for as
he is, so he hath asked. Beware, said Sir Launcelot, so ye gave the good
knight Brewnor, Sir Dinadan's brother, a name, and ye called him La Cote
Male Taile, and that turned you to anger afterward. As for that, said
Sir Kay, this shall never prove none such. For Sir Brewnor desired ever
worship, and this desireth bread and drink and broth; upon pain of my
life he was fostered up in some abbey, and, howsomever it was, they
failed meat and drink, and so hither he is come for his sustenance.

And so Sir Kay bade get him a place, and sit down to meat; so Beaumains
went to the hall door, and set him down among boys and lads, and there
he ate sadly. And then Sir Launcelot after meat bade him come to his
chamber, and there he should have meat and drink enough. And so did Sir
Gawaine: but he refused them all; he would do none other but as Sir
Kay commanded him, for no proffer. But as touching Sir Gawaine, he had
reason to proffer him lodging, meat, and drink, for that proffer came
of his blood, for he was nearer kin to him than he wist. But that as Sir
Launcelot did was of his great gentleness and courtesy.

So thus he was put into the kitchen, and lay