he dressed her pavilion straight by the piece of the earth that
Alisander kept. So she was not so soon there but there came a knight
of Arthur's court that hight Sagramore le Desirous, and he proffered to
joust with Alisander; and they encountered, and Sagramore le Desirous
brised his spear upon Sir Alisander, but Sir Alisander smote him so hard
that he avoided his saddle. And when La Beale Alice saw him joust so
well, she thought him a passing goodly knight on horseback. And then
she leapt out of her pavilion, and took Sir Alisander by the bridle, and
thus she said: Fair knight, I require thee of thy knighthood show me thy
visage. I dare well, said Alisander, show my visage. And then he put off
his helm; and she saw his visage, she said: O sweet Jesu, thee I must
love, and never other. Then show me your visage, said he.

CHAPTER XXXIX. How Alisander met with Alice la Beale Pilgrim, and how he
jousted with two knights; and after of him and of Sir Mordred.

Then she unwimpled her visage. And when he saw her he said: Here have I
found my love and my lady. Truly, fair lady, said he, I promise you
to be your knight, and none other that beareth the life. Now, gentle
knight, said she, tell me your name. My name is, said he, Alisander le
Orphelin. Now, damosel, tell me your name, said he. My name is, said
she, Alice la Beale Pilgrim. And when we be more at our heart's ease,
both ye and I shall tell other of what blood we be come. So there was
great love betwixt them. And as they thus talked there came a knight
that hight Harsouse le Berbuse, and asked part of Sir Alisander's
spears. Then Sir Alisander encountered with him, and at the first Sir
Alisander smote him over his horse's croup. And then there came another
knight that hight Sir Hewgon, and Sir Alisander smote him down as he
did that other. Then Sir Hewgon proffered to do battle on foot. Sir
Alisander overcame him with three strokes, and there would have slain
him had he not yielded him. So then Alisander made both those knights to
swear to wear none armour in a twelvemonth and a day.

Then Sir Alisander alighted down, and went to rest him and repose him.
Then the damosel that helped Sir Alisander out of the castle, in her
play told Alice all together how he was prisoner in the castle of La
Beale Regard, and there she told her how she got him out of prison. Sir,
said Alice la Beale Pilgrim, meseemeth ye are much beholding to this
maiden. That is truth, said Sir A