I
have been informed by this maiden that you have need of such a
knight-champion at this place, then do I offer myself as such a
champion, trusting that I may be of aid to you and so repay to you in
some measure those favors which you have bestowed upon me."

At this the lady was rejoiced beyond all measure, and she said:
"Messire, I accept thy offer of championship with all gratitude and with
much pride, for indeed I believe it would not be possible to find in all
of the world a champion as haughty and as puissant as thou art."

So it came about that Sir Ewaine abided at the castle of that widowed
chatelaine for a long time, and until he was altogether healed of his
wound. And every day he grew more strong and sturdy of body and more
noble of appearance, so that all they of the castle took great pride in
having him there as their champion.

Now it befell upon a day that there came to this castle that evil-minded
lord of whom the damsel had spoken to Sir Ewaine, and this lord brought
with him six other knights, and all these seven knights pitched their
pavilions before the castle gates. And they mocked at those in the
castle and dared any one to come forth therefrom, for they knew not, as
you may believe, that Sir Ewaine was there as the champion of the
castle.

So when Sir Ewaine heard how that knight mocked at the people of the
castle, he was very wroth, wherefore he quickly made him ready, and
donned a suit of rich armor that the lady had provided for him. And he
mounted upon his horse, and so being in all wise prepared, he gave
command to uplift the portcullis and to let fall the drawbridge. Then he
rode forth from the castle, his horse's hoofs smiting the planks of the
drawbridge with a noise like to thunder as he rode. And all of the
people of the castle crowded out upon the walls, and when they beheld
him ride past in that wise, they shouted with a loud voice because that
such a champion was to defend the rights of their lady chatelaine.

[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine doeth battle for the lady of the castle._]

But when the knight and his companions who had come against the lady of
the castle beheld that one champion ride forth in defence thereof, he
was greatly surprised, and wist not what to think. So presently he rode
forward to meet Sir Ewaine, and he said to him, "Sir, what knight art
thou?" Sir Ewaine said: "I am the champion of the lady of this castle,
and I come forth with intent to do battle in her behal