King Arthur: Tales from the Round Table. Andrew Lang

charge, and they drew their swords, hitting hard at each other. At length Sir Beaumains dealt the other Knight such a blow that he fell from his horse, and was drowned in the river. Then Beaumains put his horse at the bank, where the second Knight was waiting for him, and they fought long together, till Sir Beaumains clave his helmet in two. So he left him dead, and rode after the damsel. ‘Alas!’ she cried, ‘that even a kitchen page should have power to destroy two such Knights! You think you have done mighty things, but you are wrong! As to the first Knight, his horse stumbled, and he was drowned before you ever touched him. And the other you took from behind, and struck him when he was defenceless.’ ‘Damsel!’ answered Beaumains, ‘you may say what you will, I care not what it is, so I may deliver this lady.’ ‘Fie, foul kitchen knave, you shall see Knights that will make you lower your crest.’ ‘I pray you be more civil in your language,’ answered Beaumains, ‘for it matters not to me what Knights they be, I will do battle with them.’ ‘I am trying to turn you back for your own good,’ answered she, ‘for if you follow me you are certainly a dead man, as well I know all you have won before has been by luck.’ ‘Say what you will, damsel,’ said he, ‘but where you go I will follow you,’ and they rode together till eventide, and all the way she chid him and gave him no rest.