"Now, dear sir," said Melias, "since you have done me this high honor, it is but right that you grant me my first request, so that it be in reason." "You speak justly," said Galahad. "I beg, then, that you let me ride with you in the quest of the Sangreal till some adventure shall part us." "That I grant willingly." Armor was now brought to Melias, and when it had been girded upon him he and Galahad rode away, and passed onward all that week without an adventure. But on the Monday next, as they set out from an abbey, they came to where a cross marked a parting of the road. On the cross was written,-- "Ye knights-errant, that ride in quest of adventures, here lie two ways. He that takes the right-hand road shall not leave it again, if he be a good man and a worthy knight. He that takes the left-hand shall not lightly win fortune, for his strength and endurance will be soon tried." "If you will suffer me to take the left-hand road I should like it greatly," said Melias. "My strength and skill need trial." "It were better not. I fancy that I only should face the danger that there confronts us." "Nay, my lord, I pray you let me have this adventure." "Take it, then, in God's name," said Galahad; "and do your duty worthily." So Melias rode forward and soon found himself in a forest, through which he passed for two days, seeing there neither man, woman, nor child. Then he came from the forest into a broad meadow, where stood a lodge built of green boughs. And in that lodge was a chair, on which lay a crown of gold wrought with rich and subtle skill. Also there were cloths spread upon the earth, upon which delicious meats were laid. Melias beheld all this and thought it marvellous. He felt no hunger, but the crown of gold roused his covetousness, and he took it up and rode away with it. But not far had he ridden when a knight came after him, who said,-- "Sir knight, why have you taken that crown? It is not yours; therefore defend yourself." Then Melias blessed himself, and said,-- "Fair Lord of Heaven, help and save thy new made knight." Then they rode together at full speed, but Melias's prayer availed him naught, for the spear-head of the other went through his hauberk, and wounded him so deeply in the left side that he fell to the earth like a dead man. Then the victor knight took the crown and rode away. But with wise forethought Galahad had followed Melias, and now rode into the valley, where he found him in peril of death. "Ah, Melias!" he cried, "better for you had you taken the other way. Who has done you this harm?" "For God's love, let me not die in this place!" said Melias in reply. "Bear me to some abbey near by, where I may be confessed and have the rites of the church." "It shall be done," said Galahad. "But where is he who has wounded you?" The reply came from the edge of the forest, where Galahad heard a voice cry in stirring tones,-- "Knight, defend yourself from me."