_How Sir Alisander wan 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 from 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 on 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 sea-side,
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 Palamides’
brother, the good knight. All this saw a damsel, and saw the best
knight just that ever she saw. And ever as he smote down knights he
made them to swear to wear no 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 Car de Gomeret; those were
armed: that other twain were of Camiliard, cousins unto queen Guenever,
and that one hight Sir 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, and he
dwell in that country.
So turn we to the damsel of the castle, that when Alisander le Orphelin
had forjusted the four knights, she called him to her, and said thus:
Sir knight, wilt thou for my sake just and fight with a knight 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. Damsel, said
Alisander, and he come while 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 just, and they came together eagerly,
and Malgrin bruised 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 bad him alight, saying, Though thou have the better of me on
horseback, shalt thou find that I shall endure like a knight on foot.
It is well said, said Alisander. And so lightly he voided his horse,
and betook him to his varlet. And then they rashed 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 damsel 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 rashed
together with their shields like two boars or rams, and fell groveling
both to the earth. Now knight, said Malgrin, hold thy hand awhile, 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 pride of myself I have slain ten other knights. Truly, 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 to 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 a 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.