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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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