the damosel came and desired of him marriage.
Damosel, said Orphelin, I thank you, but as yet I cast me not to marry
in this country. Sir, she said, sithen ye will not marry me, I pray you
insomuch as ye have won me, that ye will give me to a knight of this
country that hath been my friend, and loved me many years. With all my
heart, said Alisander, I will assent thereto. Then was the knight sent
for, his name was Gerine le Grose. And anon he made them handfast, and
wedded them.

Then came Queen Morgan le Fay to Alisander, and bade him arise, and put
him in an horse litter, and gave him such a drink that in three days and
three nights he waked never, but slept; and so she brought him to her
own castle that at that time was called La Beale Regard. Then Morgan
le Fay came to Alisander, and asked him if he would fain be whole. Who
would be sick, said Alisander, an he might be whole? Well, said Morgan
le Fay, then shall ye promise me by your knighthood that this day
twelvemonth and a day ye shall not pass the compass of this castle, and
without doubt ye shall lightly be whole. I assent, said Sir Alisander.
And there he made her a promise: then was he soon whole. And when
Alisander was whole, then he repented him of his oath, for he might
not be revenged upon King Mark. Right so there came a damosel that was
cousin to the Earl of Pase, and she was cousin to Morgan le Fay. And
by right that castle of La Beale Regard should have been hers by
true inheritance. So this damosel entered into this castle where lay
Alisander, and there she found him upon his bed, passing heavy and all
sad.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. How Alisander was delivered from Queen Morgan le Fay by
the means of a damosel.

SIR knight, said the damosel, an ye would be merry I could tell you good
tidings. Well were me, said Alisander, an I might hear of good tidings,
for now I stand as a prisoner by my promise. Sir, she said, wit you well
that ye be a prisoner, and worse than ye ween; for my lady, my cousin
Queen Morgan le Fay, keepeth you here for none other intent but for
to do her pleasure with you when it liketh her. O Jesu defend me, said
Alisander, from such pleasure; for I had liefer cut away my hangers than
I would do her such pleasure. As Jesu help me, said the damosel, an ye
would love me and be ruled by me, I shall make your deliverance with
your worship. Tell me, said Alisander, by what means, and ye shall have
my love. Fair knight, said she, this ca