that was
one of the causes that Our Lord took flesh and blood of a clean
maiden, for our sins were so great at that time that well-nigh all was
wickedness. Truly, said Galahad, I believe you right well.

So Sir Galahad rested him there that night; and upon the morn he made
the squire knight, and asked him his name, and of what kindred he was
come. Sir, said he, men calleth me Melias de Lile, and I am the son of
the King of Denmark. Now, fair sir, said Galahad, sith that ye be come
of kings and queens, now look that knighthood be well set in you, for
ye ought to be a mirror unto all chivalry. Sir, said Sir Melias, ye say
sooth. But, sir, sithen ye have made me a knight ye must of right grant
me my first desire that is reasonable. Ye say sooth, said Galahad.
Melias said: Then that ye will suffer me to ride with you in this quest
of the Sangreal, till that some adventure depart us. I grant you, sir.

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,