e White Knight._]

Thereupon he voided his horse and drew his sword and straightway setting
his shield before him, he came forward to the assault of Beaumains. Then
immediately they met together, each lashing very fiercely at the other,
and so that battle began. And so it continued, each foining and tracing
this way and that like two wild bulls at battle, but ever lashing stroke
upon stroke at one another. Soon the armor of each was stained in places
with red, for each had suffered some wound or hurt at this place or at
that. Yet ever Beaumains fought with might and main, for he was so
strengthened by his passion of rage that rather would he have died than
yield in that battle.

So they fought with astounding fierceness for a considerable while, and
then, at last, the White Knight called out, "Sir, I pray you stay this
battle for a little," and with that Beaumains ceased his lashing and
stood leaning upon his sword, panting for breath.

And the White Champion also leaned upon his sword and panted, and anon
he said, "Sir, I pray you tell me your name. For I make my vow to you
that never have I met any knight who hath fought a greater battle than
you have fought this day--and yet I may tell you that I have fought with
a great many of the very best knights of this realm."

"Messire," quoth Beaumains, "I may not declare my name at this present,
for there are several good reasons why I will not do so. But though I
may not do as you demand of me, nevertheless I beseech you that you will
extend that favor unto me and will declare to me your name and your
degree."

"Well," said the White Knight, "never yet have I refused that courtesy
to any one who hath asked it of me. Wit ye then that I am called Sir
Launcelot of the Lake."

[Sidenote: _Beaumains knoweth Sir Launcelot._]

Now when Beaumains heard this that the White Knight said and when he
wist that it was none other than Sir Launcelot against whom he had been
fighting for that while, he was filled with great wonder and
astonishment and a sort of fear. So straightway he flung aside his sword
and he kneeled down before Sir Launcelot and set his palms together. And
he said: "Messire, what have I done, to do battle against you? Rather
would I have done battle against mine own brother than against you. Know
you that you are the man of all others whom I most revere and admire.
Now I pray you, Messire, if I have done well in your sight in this
battle which I have fought, th