of his 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.

CHAPTER XIV. How Sir Galahad departed, and how he was commanded to go to
the Castle of Maidens to destroy the wicked custom.

NOW will I depart, said Galahad, for I have much on hand, for many good
knights be full busy about it, and this knight and I were in the same
quest of the Sangreal. Sir, said a good man, for his sin he was thus
wounded; and I marvel, said the good man, how ye durst take upon you so
rich a thing as the high order of knighthood without clean confession,
and that was the cause ye were bitterly wounded. For the way on the
right hand betokeneth the highway of our Lord Jesu Christ, and the
way of a good true good liver. And the other way betokeneth the way
of sinners and of misbelievers. And when the devil saw your pride and
presumption, for to take you in the quest of the Sangreal, that made you
to be overthrown, for it may not be enchieved but by virtuous living.
Also, the writing on the cross was a signification of heavenly deeds,
and of knightly deeds in God's works, and no knightly deeds in worldly
works. And pride is head of all deadly sins, that caused this knight
to depart from Galahad. And where thou tookest the crown of gold thou
sinnest in covetise and in theft: all this were no knightly deeds. And
this Galahad, the holy knight, the which fought with the two knights,
the two knights signify the two deadly sins which were wholly in this
knight Melias; and they might not withstand you, for ye are without
deadly sin.

Now departed Galahad from thence, and betaught them all unto God. Sir
Melias said: My lord Galahad, as soon as I may ride I shall seek you.
God send you health, said Galahad, and so took his horse and departed,
and rode many journeys forward and backward, as adventure would lead
him. And at the last it happened him to depart from a place or a castle
the which was named Abblasoure; and he had heard no mass, the which he
was wont ever to hear or ever he departed out of any castle or place,
and kept that for a custom. Then Sir Galahad came unto a mountain
where he found an old chapel, and found there nobody, for all, all was
desolate; and there he kneeled to-fore the altar, and besought God of
wholesome counsel. So a