_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 subtily wrought. Also there was clothes covered upon
the earth, and many delicious meats were 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. In the
meanwhile by fortune there came Sir Galahad and found him there in
peril of death. And then he said, Ah, Melias, who hath wounded you?
therefore it had been better to have ridden that other way. And when
Sir Melias heard him speak, Sir, he said, for God’s love let me not die
in this forest, but bear me unto the abbey here beside, that I may be
confessed and have my rites. It shall be done, said Galahad, but where
is he that hath wounded you? With that Sir Galahad heard in the leaves
cry on high, Knight, keep thee from me! Ah sir, said Melias, beware,
for that is he that hath slain me. Sir Galahad answered, Sir knight,
come on your peril. Then either dressed to other, and came together as
fast as their horses might run; and Galahad smote him so that his spear
went through his shoulder, and smote him down off his horse, and in the
falling Galahad’s spear brake. With that came out another knight out of
the leaves and brake a spear upon Galahad, or ever he might turn him.
Then Galahad drew out his sword and smote off the left arm of him, so
that it fell to the earth. And then he fled, and Sir Galahad sued fast
after him. And then he turned again unto Sir Melias, and there he
alight and dressed him softly on his horse tofore him, for the
truncheon of his spear was in his body, and Sir Galahad start up behind
him, and held him in his arms, and so brought him to the abbey, and
there unarmed him and brought him to his chamber. And then he asked his
Saviour. And when he had received Him he said unto Sir Galahad, Sir,
let death come when it pleaseth him. And therewith he drew out the
truncheon of the spear out of his body: and then he swooned. Then came
there an old monk, which sometime had been a knight, and beheld Sir
Melias. And anon he ransacked him, and then he said unto Sir Galahad, I
shall heal him of this wound, by the grace of God, within the term of
seven weeks. Then was Sir Galahad glad, and unarmed him, and said he
would abide there three days. And then he asked Sir Melias how it stood
with him. Then he said, he was turned unto helping, God be thanked.