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           ”

           Now,therewasastriplingatthecourtcalledBeaumains,whoservedintheking’skitchen,afairyouthandofgreatstature.Twelvemonthsbeforethistimehehadcometothekingashesatatmeat,atWhitsuntide,andprayedthreegiftsofhim.Andbeingaskedwhatgifts,heanswered,“AsforthefirstgiftIwillaskitnow,buttheothertwogiftsIwillaskonthisdaytwelvemonths,wheresoeveryeholdyourhighfeast.”ThensaidKingArthur,“Whatisthyfirstrequest?”“This,lord,”saidhe,“thatthouwiltgivememeatanddrinkenoughfortwelvemonthsfromthistime,andthenwillIaskmyothertwogifts.”Andthekingseeingthathewasagoodlyyouth,anddeemingthathewascomeofhonourableblood,hadgrantedhisdesire,andgivenhimintothechargeofSirKey,thesteward.ButSirKeyscornedandmockedtheyouth,callinghimBeaumains,becausehishandswerelargeandfair,andputtinghimintothekitchen,wherehehadservedfortwelvemonthsasascullion,and,inspiteofallhischurlishtreatment,hadfaithfullyobeyedSirKey.ButSirLancelotandSirGawainwereangeredwhentheysawSirKeysochurlishtoayouththathadsoworshipfulabearing,andofttimeshadtheygivenhimgoldandclothing.

           AndnowatthistimecameyoungBeaumainstotheking,whilethedamselwasthere,andsaid,“Lord,nowIthanktheewellandheartilythatIhavebeentwelvemonthskeptinthykitchen,andhavehadfullsustenance.NowwillIaskmytworemaininggifts.”“Ask,”saidKingArthur,“onmygoodfaith.