d there was great
sound of minstrelsy and merry-making. On the opposite side of the castle
was the sea, and here vessels rode the waves and the cries of mariners
were heard.

Near where they stood was a lofty sycamore-tree, and on its trunk hung a
mighty horn made from an elephant's tusk. This the Knight of the Red
Lawns had hung there, in order that any errant knight, who wished to
battle for the castle, might summons him to the fray.

"But let me warn you," said Linet, "not to blow it till noon. For it is
now nearly day, and men say that his strength increases till the
noontide hour. To blow it now would double your peril."

"Do not advise me thus, fair damsel," said Beaumains. "I shall meet him
at his highest might, and win worshipfully or die knightly in the field.
It must be man to man and might to might."

Therewith he spurred his horse to the sycamore, and, taking the horn in
hand, blew with it such a blast that castle and camp rang with the
sound.

At the mighty blast knights leaped from their tents and pavilions, and
those in the castle looked from walls and windows, to see what manner of
man was this that blew so lustily. But the Red Knight of the Red Lawns
armed in all haste, for he had already been told by the dwarf of the
approach of this champion. He was all blood-red in hue, armor, shield,
and spurs. An earl buckled on his helm, and they then brought him a red
steed and a red spear, and he rode into a little vale near the castle,
so that all within and without the castle might behold the battle.

"Look you be light and glad," said Linet to the knight, "for yonder is
your deadly enemy, and at yonder window is my sister, Dame Lioness."

"Where?" asked Beaumains.

"Yonder," she said, pointing.

"I see her," said Beaumains. "And from here she seems the fairest lady I
ever looked upon. I ask no better quarrel than to fight for her, and
wish no better fate than to greet her as my lady," and his face grew
glad as he looked up to the window.

As he did so the Lady Lioness made a grateful courtesy to him, bending
to the earth and holding up her hands. This courtesy was returned by
Beaumains; but now the Knight of the Red Lawns rode forward.

"Leave your looking, sir knight," he said. "Or look this way, for I warn
you that she is my lady, and I have done many battles for her."

"You waste your time, then, it seems to me, for she wants none of your
love. And to waste love on those who want it not is bu