le to overthrow them, for
he is pure in his heart."

"My lord Galahad," said Sir Melias, "as soon as I may ride I shall seek
you."

"God send you health," said Galahad, and so he took his horse and
departed, and rode many journeys forward and backward, as adventure
would lead him.

Then Sir Galahad came unto a mountain. There he found an old chapel,
where all was desolate, and he knelt before the altar and besought of
God wholesome counsel. As he prayed, he heard a voice that said, "Go
thou now, thou adventurous knight, to the Castle of Maidens, and there
do thou away the wicked customs."

When Sir Galahad heard this, he thanked God and took his horse, and he
had ridden but half a mile when he saw in a valley afore him a strong
castle with deep ditches, and there ran beside it a fair river, that
was called Severn. Then he met with a man of great age. Either
saluted other, and Galahad asked him the castle's name. "Fair sir,"
said he, "it is the Castle of Maidens."

"That is a cursed castle," said Galahad, "and all who have intercourse
therein are cursed, for all pity is lacking there, and all cruelty and
mischief are therein."

"Therefore I counsel you, sir knight," said the other, "that ye turn
back."

"Sir," said Sir Galahad, "ye may be sure I shall not turn back."

Then Sir Galahad looked on his armour to see that nothing was lacking,
and he put his shield afore him, and anon there met him seven fair
maidens, which said unto him, "Sir knight, ye ride here in great folly,
for ye have the water to pass over."

"Why should I not pass the water?" said Galahad. So he rode away from
them, and met with a squire, who said. "Knight, those knights in the
castle defy you, and forbid you to go farther till they know what ye
would."

"Fair sir," said Galahad, "I come to destroy the wicked customs of this
castle."

"Sir," said the squire, "if ye will abide by that, ye shall have enough
to do."

The squire entered into the castle, and anon there came out seven
knights, all brethren. And when they saw Galahad they cried, "Knight,
defend thyself, for we assure thee nothing but death."

Then Galahad put forth his spear, and smote the foremost to the earth.
And therewith all the others smote him on his shield great strokes so
that their spears brake. Then Sir Galahad drew out his sword, and set
upon them so hard that it was marvel to see it, and so, through great
force, he made them to forsake the field. Gal