Then men brought Sir Melias his armour and his spear and his horse, and
so Sir Galahad and he rode forth all that week or they found any
adventure. And then upon a Monday in the morning, as they were departed
from an abbey, they came to a cross which departed two ways, and in
that cross were letters written that said thus: Now, ye knights errant,
the which goeth to seek knights adventurous, see here two ways; that
one way defendeth thee that thou ne go that way, for he shall not go
out of the way again but if he be a good man and a worthy knight; and
if thou go on the left hand, thou shalt not lightly there win prowess,
for thou shalt in this way be soon assayed. Sir, said Melias to
Galahad, if it like you to suffer me to take the way on the left hand,
tell me, for there I shall well prove my strength. It were better, said
Galahad, ye rode not that way, for I deem I should better escape in
that way than ye. Nay, my lord, I pray you let me have that adventure.
Take it in God’s name, said Galahad.
CHAPTER XIII. Of the adventure that Melias had, and how Galahad
revenged him, and how Melias was carried into an abbey.
And then rode Melias into an old forest, and therein he rode two days
and more. And then he came into a fair meadow, and there was a fair
lodge of boughs. And then he espied in that lodge a chair, wherein was
a crown of gold, subtly wrought. Also there were cloths covered upon
the earth, and many delicious meats set thereon. Sir Melias beheld this
adventure, and thought it marvellous, but he had no hunger, but of the
crown of gold he took much keep; and therewith he stooped down and took
it up, and rode his way with it. And anon he saw a knight came riding
after him that said: Knight, set down that crown which is not yours,
and therefore defend you. Then Sir Melias blessed him and said: Fair
lord of heaven, help and save thy new-made knight. And then they let
their horses run as fast as they might, so that the other knight smote
Sir Melias through hauberk and through the left side, that he fell to
the earth nigh dead. And then he took the crown and went his way; and
Sir Melias lay still and had no power to stir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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