etter. 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 orgulite 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.

CHAPTER XXXVII. How Queen Morgan le Fay had Alisander in her castle, and
how she healed his wounds.

THEN Queen Morgan le Fay searched his wounds, and gave such an ointment
unto him that he should have died. And on the morn when she came to him
he complained him sore; and then she put other ointments upon him, and
then he was out of his pain. Then came the damosel of the castle, and
said unto Morgan le Fay: I pray you help me that this knight might wed
me, for he hath won me with his hands. Ye shall see, said Morgan le Fay,
what I shall say. Then Morgan le Fay went unto Alisander, and bade in
anywise that he should refuse this lady, an she desire to wed you, for
she is not for you. So