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Chapter X
Thensaidhetoapagewhostoodwithout,“WhatnoiseisthisIhear?”“Sirknight,”saidhe,“therebewithinthirtyladies,thewidowsofthirtyknightswhohavebeenslainbythelordofthiscastle.HeiscalledtheBrownKnightwithoutpity,andisthemostperilousknightliving,whereforeIwarntheetoflee.”“ThatwillIneverdo,”saidSirGareth,“forIfearhimnot.”ThenthepagesawtheBrownKnightcomingandsaidtoGareth,“Lo!mylordisnear.”
Sobothknightsmadethemreadyandgallopedtheirhorsestowardseachother,andtheBrownKnightbrakehisspearuponSirGareth’sshield;butSirGarethsmotehimthroughthebodysothathefelldead.Atthatherodeintothecastleandtoldtheladieshehadslaintheirfoe.Thenweretheyrightgladofheartandmadehimallthecheertheycould,andthankedhimoutofmeasure.Butonthemorrowashewenttomasshefoundtheladiesweepinginthechapelupondiverstombsthatwerethere.Andheknewthatinthosetombstheirhusbandslay.Thenhebadethembecomforted,andwithnobleandhighwordshedesiredandprayedthemalltobeatArthur’scourtonthenextFeastofPentecost.
Sohedepartedandrodepastamountainwherewasagoodlyknightwaiting,whosaidtohim,“Abide,Sirknight,andjoustwithme!”“Howareyenamed?”saidSirGareth.“IamtheDukedelaRowse,”answeredhe.“Ingoodsooth,”thensaidSirGareth,“notlongagoIlodgedwithinyourcastle,andtherepromisedIwouldyieldtoyouwheneverwemightmeet.
