his resolution.

Finally a strange sight came to them. For before them they saw a black
lawn, in whose midst grew a black hawthorn. On one side of this hung a
black banner, and on the other a black shield, while near by stood a
black spear of great size, and a massive black horse covered with silk.
Near by was a knight armed in black armor, who was known as the Knight
of the Black Lawn.

The damsel, on seeing this knight, bade Beaumains flee down the valley,
telling him that he might still escape, for the knight's horse was not
saddled.

"Gramercy," said Beaumains, "will you always take me for a coward? I fly
not from one man, though he be as black as ten ravens."

The black knight, seeing them approach, thus addressed the damsel,--

"So, my lady, you are here again! Have you brought this knight from King
Arthur's court to be your champion?"

"Hardly so, fair sir. This is but a kitchen knave, who was fed in
Arthur's court through charity, and has followed me as a cur follows
his master."

"Why comes he then in knightly guise? And what do you in such foul
company?"

"I cannot get rid of him, sir. He rides with me in my despite. I bring
him here that you may rid me of the unhappy knave. Through mishap and
treachery he killed two knights at the river ford, and did other deeds
that might have been of worth were they fairly done. Yet he is but a
sorry poltroon."

"I am surprised," said the black knight, "that any man of worth will
fight with him."

"They knew him not," she answered, "and fancy him of some credit from
his riding with me, and from his brave show of armor."

"That may be," said the black knight. "Yet, knave or not, he looks like
a strong fellow. This much I shall do to relieve you of him. I shall put
him on foot, and take from him his horse and armor. It would be a shame
to do him more harm."

Beaumains had heard all this, biting his lips in anger. He now
scornfully replied,--

"Sir knight, you are liberal in disposing of my horse and armor, but
beware you do not pay a fair price for them. Whether you like it or not,
this lawn I shall pass, and you will get no horse or armor of mine till
you win them in open fight. Let me see if you can do it."

"Say you so? You shall yield me this lady, or pay dearly for it; for it
does not beseem a kitchen page to ride with a lady of high degree."

"If you want her, you must win her," said Beaumains, "and much comfort
may you get from her tongue. As for