第 二百七十四 章 · How Sir Alisander won the prize at a tournament, and of

. How Sir Alisander won the prize at a tournament, and of

Morgan le Fay: and how he fought with Sir Malgrin, and slew him.

Now turn we again unto Sir Alisander, that at his departing his mother

took with him his father’s bloody shirt. So that he bare with him

always till his death day, in tokening to think of his father’s death.

So was Alisander purposed to ride to London, by the counsel of Sir

Tristram, to Sir Launcelot. And by fortune he went by the seaside, and

rode wrong. And there he won at a tournament the gree that King Carados

made. And there he smote down King Carados and twenty of his knights,

and also Sir Safere, a good knight that was Sir Palomides’ brother, the

good knight. All this saw a damosel, and saw the best knight joust that

ever she saw. And ever as he smote down knights he made them to swear

to wear none harness in a twelvemonth and a day. This is well said,

said Morgan le Fay, this is the knight that I would fain see. And so

she took her palfrey, and rode a great while, and then she rested her

in her pavilion. So there came four knights, two were armed, and two

were unarmed, and they told Morgan le Fay their names: the first was

Elias de Gomeret, the second was Cari de Gomeret, those were armed;

that other twain were of Camiliard, cousins unto Queen Guenever, and

that one hight Guy, and that other hight Garaunt, those were unarmed.

There these four knights told Morgan le Fay how a young knight had

smitten them down before a castle. For the maiden of that castle said

that he was but late made knight, and young. But as we suppose, but if

it were Sir Tristram, or Sir Launcelot, or Sir Lamorak, the good

knight, there is none that might sit him a buffet with a spear. Well,

said Morgan le Fay, I shall meet that knight or it be long time, an he

dwell in that country.

So turn we to the damosel of the castle, that when Alisander le

Orphelin had forjousted the four knights, she called him to her, and

said thus: Sir knight, wilt thou for my sake joust and fight with a

knight, for my sake, of this country, that is and hath been long time

an evil neighbour to me? His name is Malgrin, and he will not suffer me

to be married in no manner wise for all that I can do, or any knight

for my sake. Damosel, said Alisander, an he come whiles I am here I

will fight with him, and my poor body for your sake I will jeopard. And

therewithal she sent for him, for he was at her commandment. And when

either had a sight of other, they made them ready for to joust, and

they came together eagerly, and Malgrin brised his spear upon

Alisander, and Alisander smote him again so hard that he bare him quite

from his saddle to the earth. But this Malgrin arose lightly, and

dressed his shield and drew his sword, and bade him alight, saying:

Though thou have the better of me on horseback, thou shalt find that I

shall endure like a knight on foot. It is well said, said Alisander;

and so lightly he avoided his horse and betook him to his varlet. And

then they rushed together like two boars, and laid on their helms and

shields long time, by the space of three hours, that never man could

say which was the better knight.

And in the meanwhile came Morgan le Fay to the damosel of the castle,

and they beheld the battle. But this Malgrin was an old roted knight,

and he was called one of the dangerous knights of the world to do

battle on foot, but on horseback there were many better. And ever this

Malgrin awaited to slay Alisander, and so wounded him wonderly sore,

that it was marvel that ever he might stand, for he had bled so much

blood; for Alisander fought wildly, and not wittily. And that other was

a felonious knight, and awaited him, and smote him sore. And sometime

they rushed together with their shields, like two boars or rams, and

fell grovelling both to the earth. Now knight, said Malgrin, hold thy

hand a while, and tell me what thou art. I will not, said Alisander,

but if me list: but tell me thy name, and why thou keepest this

country, or else thou shalt die of my hands. Wit thou well, said

Malgrin, that for this maiden’s love, of this castle, I have slain ten

good knights by mishap; and by outrage and orgulité of myself I have

slain ten other knights. So God me help, said Alisander, this is the

foulest confession that ever I heard knight make, nor never heard I

speak of other men of such a shameful confession; wherefore it were

great pity and great shame unto me that I should let thee live any

longer; therefore keep thee as well as ever thou mayest, for as I am

true knight, either thou shalt slay me or else I shall slay thee, I

promise thee faithfully.

Then they lashed together fiercely, and at the last Alisander smote

Malgrin to the earth. And then he raced off his helm, and smote off his

head lightly. And when he had done and ended this battle, anon he

called to him his varlet, the which brought him his horse. And then he,

weening to be strong enough, would have mounted. And so she laid Sir

Alisander in an horse litter, and led him into the castle, for he had

no foot nor might to stand upon the earth; for he had sixteen great

wounds, and in especial one of them was like to be his death.